Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-13
VOTES IN D. c. URGED
| BY BOARD OF TRADE
President Brandenburg's Re-
port Touches Vigorously on
Political Status Here.
NEW DIRECTORS ELECTED

meeting at the New Willard Hotel last
=: hit.
Here are some Of the accomplishments
of the meeting:
Nearly $500 was subscribed individ-
ually to the fund being raised for
Y. NJ. C. A. camps and activities for the
soldiers of this country.
President E. c. Brandenburg made his
annual report, in which he urged suf-
frage for the District; closer co-opera-
ton of the civic bodies of Washington,
and told of the patriotic lines along
which the Board of Trade has worked
during the last year.
Secretary ]. Harry Cunningham In MS
report showed that the organization was
in a more fourishing condition than ever
before, having a total of 1903 members
and assets of s10,107. with liabilities OF
only s79S.
Upon recommendation of John Joy Ed
son. chairman Of the committee on mu-
nicipaI finance, the board voted to ask the
Chamber Of Commerce Of the United
States to take up the new income and ex-
cess profits tax, in which. the committee
expla,ned. it was believed certain inequaii-
ties were to be found
Remembrance for Members.
More than 500 was donated by tho
members for the purchase Of Christmas
remembrances for the men of the Board
of Trade who have Joined the colors.
ra1n OIL
directors, receiving the following votes
william Clabaugh. 1862; Capt. FREDERICK
A. Fenning, L. S. A. 352 Walter A.
Brown s31 Louis A. Dent e S sos F Harry
L. Rust 2S2 William G: Henderson, 700
George H Macdonald, 24s. and Edward
E. Clement, 243.
President Brandenburg dwelt at length
on the political status Of the District OF
Columbia, saying:
I'm our last annual report We maze
bold to emphasize the view that the
time had arrived when the right OF sur
frage should be conferred upon the ctti-
zens of the District. The sentiment IN
this regard has grown to a remarkable
degree. Many of the most prominent
leaders of the Senate and House nave
pledged their support. while o.he ts
merely await the opportunity to AID
US with their vote. The growth OF the
city has kept pace with the growth OF
the country. with the result that eno
nations demand upon Congress is SO
great that District affairs are naturally
re1eeated to the rear, and 1t is ques-
tionable whether we can longer nope
to receive that individual attention
which our city needs and demands;
TT Is our legislature, but with little
time available to consider Dis.ris1 re-
ouirements they must be neglected un-
less we have full representation IN Con-
gress to see that our interests and Wei
fare are safeguarded. not only on the
floors of Congress. but in the commit
tees as we'll.
Contribute With Taxes, ,
.No good reason can be advanced for
deriving residents of the District OF
the right guarantee to the humblest
of our citizens. We contribute with
our taxes to the support of the gov
eminent and with our sons IN the ae-
tense of the nation. We venture the
assertion that there is no community
in this country with more cultured
or highly educated class OF citizens
than found in this District.
Notwithstanding the fact that we
have been denied that equality guar
anteed by the Constitution to all men.
there are none more loyal or pa.riotic
and surprising it Is. when II ID re-
membered that we have no voice In the
councils of the government to say
whether we shall be at war or at
peace. We ask not that the form OF
our government be changed or thar
Congress waive any Of Its right to e1-
ercise exclusive Jurisdiction over tho
territory designated as the seat OF gov
eminent. We believe the time Is OPP
portune, and we therefore ask ana
insist that there be enacted INTO nj eacS
branch of Congress- giving US tine
right to representation in Congress
and the right to vote for electors OK
the President and Vice President.
Hope to Sway Congress.
ut having been determined to begin
an active campaign to secure the full
right of suffrage to citizens of the Dis
trict. a committee Of ten was author
lied to act in conjunction and cooper
alton with committees from other or
who are earnestly invited
to ioin with US in this campaign. A
united and hearty effort on the part OF
this committee and our full member
shin as well as of all citizens of the
1t is confidently oeiieved. VIII
The Joint resolution. introduced at our
instance, granting this right OF sur
frage.
The patriotic display on the part OF
erty loans, as well as our contribution
Of men in both the Army and Navy.
emphasizes the injustice in the contin-
ned denial to us of the right OF fran
chise washington has a population
greater than that of at least six states
If the Union-namely, Wyoming.
Idaho. Nevada, Arizona. New Mexico
and Delaware Our citizens have at all
lines paid their proportion OF every
rational tax imposed by Congress.
"As illustrative Of the amount OF this
we find that in the year
Ie14 il paid In customs duties and by
way of internal revenue taxes. fnciud-
ng the excise and income taxes. In
excess of the total amount PAID by
.wenty-two states and was. In fact.
,reater than the amount paid in nine
states combined. Its per capita con-
rihution to the national taxes Is
rreater than that of the citizens OF
hirty-six of the states.
"In the civil war the first volunteers
anne from the District. and. in fact. 1t
supplied a greater percentage OF troops
N excess Of its quota than nearly every
state of the Union. Its contribution OF
,,an in the Spanish war, the recent
ronhie in Mexico and in the present
.onflict abroad compares favorably with
NV state in the Union and IS rresh IN
be minds Of all. It sent more men on
he Mexican border than twenty-five OF
he states.
justification for Vote.
..rhose facts, we submit. are ample
,,stification for extending to our citi-
ans the right to say through their
,,,Iy elected representatives what shall
,e done with these moneys. as well as
voice in the councils of the nation.
,pv Dood reason vUhv of,r