The Washington times., 1916-03-15
URGE NEW FORM or
D. c. GOVERNMENT
Congressman Austin and Sena-
tor cIapp Address Chamber
Of Commerce.

A constitution for the District Of Co
iumbin. embracing property quail
fication and educational test, was advo-
Gated last night before the Chamber OF
Commerce by Congressman Richard
Austin OF Tennessee.
IL was suggested as an answer to
those who oppose Congregational repre-
'sentation for the District on the ground
that the presence of an undesirable vot-
ing element in the National Capital
makes such a step inadvisable.
Congressman Austin, sponsor Of bill
now before Congress. argued in favor
OF seh-government for the residents Of
Washington.
He criticised the lack of time given to
District affairs by the members OF Con-
grcss and predicted that this attention
will grow less as time goes on; ard con-
trasted the right and fitness OF the peo-
Piles of the insular possessions fer self
government with those OF the citizens
OF the District.
Suggests Commission.
Senator Moses e. Clapp Of Minnesota,
on the other hand, admitting the made
quacy Of the present form Of the Dis
trlct government. suggested more gen.
eral form Of commission government
with the governing body residents OF
and interested In the city"
In suggesting the educational test and
property qualification, Mr.. Austin said:
II Congress really wanted to give you
self-government, IL could give con-
stItution that would place the control OF
ciared the speaker. There is also an
educational test that might be added.
No one can tell me that the business
men Of Washington are not capable Of
conducting a government that would re-
feet credit on the Capital
Criticises Policy.
Senator Clapp criticised sharply the
recent policy pursued in building of
Washington. He pointed to the lack of
q great boulevard along the brow OF
the bills that overlook the Capitol. and
told OF his efforts to have the square
that corresponds with that on which
the Congressional Library stands as a
site for n great building TO house a
meeting place for International COM
There is no comprehensive plan. APP
parently." said Senator Clapp. Look at
the Union Station. dishgured like n
one lie, Legged tramp. through the placing
He termed the proposal to erect the
central power plant on the Mall as an
effort at dissertation" The erection
OF the plant on the Mall. he said. would
tomac river banks. but would be "a
fsnifestttion OF q spirit hostile to
plan of Identification"
Approve Battle Report.
The chamber unanimously approved
the report Of DR.. L. J. Battle, chairman
or the public health committee. urging
that pupils in the public schools be in
structed to render first aid to the sick
and injured. DIR. Battle declared that
this was essential to the policy of pre-
paredness now so prominently before
the country.
The report of the committee on mu-
nicipal legislation, submitted by Chair
man A. Leftwich Sinclair, was adopted.
IL recommended an increase in the rate
which pawn brokers are permitted TO
charge be increased to 2 per cent and
tndorsed the recommendations of the
District Commissioners calling for the
purchase of the Dean tract for park
purposes and the construction of a mu-
nicipal sewage disposal plant.
Endorsement was given to Senator
Tillman's bill providing a Government
owned armor plant.
A special committee will be appointed
to confer with other trade bodies in
furthering the Improvement OF the
turnpike from Washington to LeesburR
Va. Gabriel Edmonston,. In a report
showing that fifteen miles of the high
way remains to be improved, suggested
that the road be termed the Gen, Daniel
Morgan Highway.