The Washington times., 1915-02-11
President Brandenburg viii
Call Upon Members for an
Expression Of Opinion.
OTHERS DEcRY SUFFRAGE
Justice Mccoy and Myron N.
Parker Think Present Ar
rangement Satisfactory.

the residents of the District 80 long az
the existing financial relations between
the national and municipal governments
are maintained. Edwin C. Brandenburg
president Of the Board OF Trade. will
catt upon the members Of that oreaniya-
uon 10 demand voice In the admins
tration Of their affairs, should any
change In this relationship between the
city and the Federal Government be
effected.
Speaking at the twenty-fifth anniver-
sary celebration OF the board, over
which he presided last night at the Will
lard. Mr.. Brandenburg declared that IL
Congress- should unfortunately deem it
necessary to change the present relation
1t would behoove the membership of
the board to take active steps to the
end that they may have voice both as
to the government as we'll as the i'm
provements to be made and the dispo
sttion OF the city's finances.a
While Mr.. Brandenburg found this
condition under which representative
government for the District should be
demanded. both Justice Mccoy. of the
District Supreme Court. and Myron NJ.
Parker. first president of the board. two
Of the other speakers. discouraged suf-
frage. Remarking that the people of
the District do not elect the men who
fix the tax laws that prevail, Justice
Mccoy added. and I don't know but
what you are lucky"
Thouh. he said, the people Of WASH
tngton are inclined to think their prob
lems unique, which is true. ne added, so
far as the half-and-half plan is con-
rArnAH T,Sc tAI hot
this city had q board Of aldermen with
control over taxation, there would be
Just as much turmoil. No body Of
people, he declared. has ever been able
to get from Sny legislative body satis-
factory tax law.
Former Heads Present.
Seated on the platform with President
Brandenburg we're former Presidents
Theodore w. Noyes. John Joy Edison.
Thomas W. Smith, William v. Cox.
Brig. Gen. John NJ. Wilson. Cuno II.
Rudolph. Myron, NJ. Parker. J. H.
Small. jr.. and Edward H. Droop.
Brainard H, Warner. John II. Ma
Sruder. George Truesdell. and Isadore
Saks. surviving charter members. were
also present.
The first hour Of the meeting was de-
voted to consideration OF reports OF
standing committees for the past year,
which had not previously been read be-
fore the board. In the report dealing
with public order. Chairman Odell s.
Smith pronounced the District Police
Department to be one Of the most eff.
cient in the country. and praised Super.
intendent and Major of Police syl.
vester, declaring him to be "one Of the
ofActAnt cla
chiefs of the United States. He recon-.
mended an adequate pension for po-
licemen and ~firemen. and urged a more
general interest In the District Ma
tional Guard.
a. R. serven. presenting the report OF
nearly 100000 was expended last year
for bridge purposes In the District He
recommended an appropriation Of $50. .0ot
for repair work on the smaller bridge
.Aaueduct bridge In a manner and posi-
tion to accommodate the greatest mum
Der Of interests: the replacing of the
Calvert street bridge: the establishment
Of proper approaches to the bridge
the ssd Nsw Y9s
bridge to connect the parking system
estate.
George Oakley Totten. jr. presente-
pal art: Francis r. Weller. for the com
mtttee OH sewerage, and A. NJ Nc
Lachlen for the committee on publ,
buildings.
Mr.. Brandenburg read Telegram
from Brig. Gen. George II. Harries, ont
Of the honorary members OF the board
expressing regret at his inability to b.
present. A buffet supper concluded tn,
evenings entertainment.
Likes Present Form.
Colonel Parker. remarking in hi.
comment on the progress of the Ma
tional Capital that the prevailing
form Of government in the Distric
il considered about the best form ol
municipal government In existence
declared that he would look with dis
favor upon the right OF the people o
this city to exercise suffrage.
Warrington needs. Colonel Parke,
continued. some one in Congress tt
represent II who has knowledge o.
local conditions. but this delegate
IN added. would have to be ap
pofnted by the President and confirm
ed by the Senate.
At no time in its history was ther'
more need for the board. Mr.. Bran
denburg told his audience. With th'