The Washington herald., 1914-12-13
TRADE BODIES
Will Fight ON
Battle Against Johnson Reso-
luton Just Begun, Say
Capital Leaders.
AIDS THE SUFFRAGE PLAN
GUIDE, Singleton. Andrews. and Mac
farIand Deny Cause Against Half
and-half" Plan Has Been Won.

The passage yesterday Of the johnson
resolution by the House as committee oi
the whole is a distinct disappointment
to the Chamber of Commerce. Board OF
Trade and Retail Merchants Association
although neither organization was unpre'
pared for such a contingency.
Plans for further opposition will be
made at special meetings Of the directors
10 be called Immediately.
GUIDE Is Greatly Surprised.
To William H. GUIDE, president Of the
Chamber of Commerce, the Houses &C
ton was as much a shock to his belief
ment to his hopes for the Capitals well
fare, according to Mr.. GUIDE.
THE passage is just another reason
why we should have representation in
Congress" he declared. I'VE will for
mulate plans Immediately to oppose to-
days action becoming conclusive. As TO
its going through The House and Senate,
] can't think there are not some men
left with enough national pride TO Work
Tor the good of the Capital
President Singleton. of the Board OF
Trade, declared that while the board
would not cease in Its opposition to the
amendment, he would make no comment
until he had conferred with his directors
.'The result of the vote in the House
Yesterday on the Johnso namendment
only goes to prove more conclusively than
ever before that the greatest and most
important need in the District is suf-
trage," said r. P. Andrews, president Of
.he Retail Merchants Association.
Partial Suffrage May Come.
That partial suffrage, at least. for the
District will probably result II the House
adopts the resolution is the. opinion OF
President Guide
''Those members of Congress who
worked for and are in favor of the Dis
trict's present 'halS-andhalf system will
the more readily do all in their power 10
overcome the injurious results which will
follow the passage of the Johnson amend
r1ent and no doubt will work for the
Districts suffrage as a means to that
end" he declared.
And when the people at large see how
small a Congress would be that would pass
such an amendment they will come to
oUr aid and use every influence toward
enfranchising the District"
Believes Plan Not Yet Dead.
1T is to be hoped that every member
Of the House will be present when yea
and nay vote is taken on the amendment
adopted today abolishing the half-and-
half arrangement,I Surely the great ma
measure Of such vital Importance to the
National Capital to be passed without
more consideration. -Four years study
was Given to the matter before the act
of 1873 was enacted. 1t ought not to
he repealed indirectly in a rider on an
appropriation bill after brief discussion.
IF any such action is proposed it ought
TO b. after long and thorough inquiry
and in q separate measure.
We feel the majority of members of
Congress are friendly to the National
Capital, as indeed would be natural since
il Is their Capital. the city of the whole
country. All we ask is that they should
all consider with care any proposition
for change in the light of all the facts
published by Congress itself. AS to the
taxation. they have full and authentic
information in Census Bulletin lis. 1913
giving all the figures for all cities Of over
Sr.c .cpo population and showing that Wash
ington has a higher taxable levy per
capita than l49 out Of 1856 cities.
a great fact which every member
demand from the country at large for
range1nent. 1t is incredible that any
Of our fellow oOUntrymen would object
TO paving a per capita of seven cents a
year. which is what the national contri-
button to the District expense amounts to.
In any event the matter should be
thoroughly investigated and thoroughly
debated, and not disposed of after half
an hours debate The whole country
will be grateful as We are to the cham
pions Of the Capital in the House"