Evening star., 1917-05-15
SENATOR LEWIS PLEADS
FOR AWAKENING Of j. S.
Urges Closer Relations Between
Capital and Congress forward
Washington" Dinner.

| the real dangers Of the war. including
that the United States must be sue.
cessful in the future as in the past
$50 Washington men and women al
the Forward Washington" dinner Of
the Washington Chamber of Commerce
| at the New Willard Hotel last night
| arose and cheered enthusiastically.
That moment marked the complete
conception of the Forward Washing.
ton" movement-the movement that Il
| intended to link the Natiorai Capita
closer to the nation: to arouse in every
resident of the District stronger de.
sire to see Washington greater. more
beautiful and finer in every way, ant
to cooperate for great development il
every line of activity.
Speakers at the dinner last night told
of the needs of the city and its oppor.
tunities. Chief among the needs pre-.
sented was that for suffrage and rep.
resentation in Congress.
Menace in Russian Situation.
The plea for the awakening Of Amer.
lea to the need for all to work fol-
their country was strongly presented
by Senator Lewis. He declared that il
| IS quite possible in the present situa.
ton that Russia will accept a separate
peace, thereby releasing German sol.
dlers now on that front for fighting
on the west front Then, he said. Ger.
many would have access to the great
supplies of Russia, which then virtual.
ly would be an ally of Americas
enemy. although she lifted no hand
against this country
senator Lewis also decricd the panic
which he says has spread over the
land-the hysteria that has been cali.
ing upon the housewife to econonize
on food and the business man to lay
future. 'he
,-niI In !, the future as in the past. the
achieve success" he declared.
You have never lived in SO solemn
an nour as at present. Our country
- - at war: our country does not know
IT, ". Ihe hour has struck The repub-
Tic stands on the brink of fighting. We
must decide whether we are to meet
defeat or success"
He declared the French fear another
battle such as that of the Marne, and
I..ed % tne dihiculties of getting food to
England: In the event that Russia
should sign separate peace, the Unit
ed states will be the main competitor
OF Germany. he said. The United States
would then be the only force which
sword.
In conclusion. he said that one of the
hrst duties of Congress is to make
Washington secure. The patriotism
VI lne IdtnerS Stlll is IN the hearts of
the American people, he said, but needs
to be aroused.
Closer Relations With Congress.
Senator Lewis urged Washington
citizens to get into closer touch with
Congress and not to look upon the
great legislative body as an affliction
which must be borne. He urged great
er unanfmity among the residents,
more cooperation and coordination
The future of the capital he portrayed
In optimistic vein, saying, among other
things, 1t should literally become the
garden of the government.
Need for general interest in the
Washington Chamber of Commerce
was sounded by Edward F. Trefz, for
merly field secretary for the Chamber
of Commerce of the United States and
now associate secretary Of the Cham
Der of Commerce of Los Angeles, Cal.
The chamber of commerce today is
OF every man. woman and child in the
community" he explained Business
prospers most when the people prosper
most. The chamber of commerce Of
today must not only handle freight
problems and other similar matters.
but it must make for the welfare of
children and the happiness of women"
You must have cooperation, unity
and concentration" he added. "You
cannot expect to get far unless you
spread enthusiasm among your resi-
dents: In your organization you have
an opportunity to give your service to
a fine organization. You have your call
definite and distinct"