The Washington herald., 1916-09-11
DISTRICT ENTITLED TO
TWO SENATORS--GR
Local Business Man Discusses Condi-
tons in Capital.

United States Senators, full representa-
tion in the House of Representatives and
a voice in the electoral college," said
Edwin c. Graham. president OF the Ma
tional Electric Supply Company, In dis
cussing business conditions and the part
that Washington VIII take In the future
progress of the nation.
AS one Of the successful and progress
sive business men of Washington, Mr..
Graham has followed legislation closely,
with particular reference to its accelera-
ton or depression of the business world
and its effect on local affairs.
81 do not contend that this change for
the District will be brought about at
once" he said, but it is ultimate and
only a matter Of time when Congress will
reach this point Of view.
In making this statement I am not
urging any revolutionary change in the
method of District government. WASH
ington is essentially a Federal city and
too closely identified with the national
government to be treated as a separate
municipality. It's citizenship, however, is
entitled to the ballot and the justice of
the claim must be conceded"
Washington is from four to six
months behind other American cities in
the cycle Of business stimulation or
slump" said Mr.. Graham, in commenting
upon conditions in the commercial and
Industrial world.
Building Operations Increase.
Il mean by that, that we do not feel
the effects OF any unusual conditions IN
markets until some time after other
cities Since June building operations
have commenced on a large scale where
there was tendency to hold back dur
ing the first six months of the year.
think that this was due to the price of
0h
tors that they were on an artifcially
high plane. Copper, at the present time,
Is very near its level and the conviction
that the demand for steel will be great,
even should the war end soon, has served
to reassure investors"
No man can tell for two months ahead
now good business Is going to be, but my
personal belief is that it will maintain its
average for at least six months. The war
orders were active in starting the busi-
ness boom but they are now only inciden-
tai to the government prosperity, so that
the close of the European demands will
not have the depressing effect that some
imagine"
Referring to the coming national election
and its probable effect on business, Mr.
Graham said that the business men Of the
country would welcome a change that
would bring an administration which
rather than that which Is restrictive and
critical
We want men at the head Of the ma
tons affairs, who know how" he added,
The present tendency seems to be to
place laws and regulations on the books
and then appoint commissions to investi-
gate how they are working. A commits
sion for every evil. actual or imaginary.
may be convenient way of solving
things, but more deliberation and less
laws might work out better
Sessions VIII Be Longer
Congress will eventually sit the entire
year, apart from a short recess. II will
permit more time for deliberation and no
condition will arise where hastily con-
sidered and possibly unconstitutional
statutes will be placed on the statute
books. There will be less uncertainty
and the atmosphere OF the business world
will be relieved by the knowledge that
laws are made after mature thought and
with consideration for all concerned"
Discussing the tariff, Mr.. Graham de-
clared that he was opposed to tariY for
revenue only, and believed in reasonable
protection
when the war ends there is bound TO
be a great reaction. and We must pre-
pare ourselves for it," he said Men and
women in Austria, Germany and other
european countries have become accus-
TONED to living on as low as 10 cents per
day. 1t Is not the matter Of living that
way for a time. They have been doing II
for two years and they are now ADAPTED
to such fare. When these countries
start rehibilitating at the close of the
war, these men, women and children will
pour into the industries and when thev
can live so cheap, the price in the labor
market will probably reflect conditions
American products manufactured under
the high-wage provisions will be forced
to compete, so we must have reasonable
protection.
Reciprocity with Europe.
I'VE cannot deny Europe our markets
because we need their markets The prob
lem Is reciprocal. believe we should
offer some announcement to immigra
ton"
Mr.. Graham said that the time had
passed when the sales Of automobiles
could be taken as an indication of the
country's prosperity. That NAV have
been true some time ago." he declared
but the average American family when
it makes up its mind to get one now
manages to get it, In the country dis
tricts prosperity jumps the sales OF ma
chimes, but this is no longer true in the
cities, so far as having an unusual effect
on the normal volume Of sales"