Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-02
NCLE SAM is proud Of the way
his family is increasing In
size, even though he is deep

his family is increasing In
size, even though he is deep
" concerned at the way the
population is failing to show a pro-
portionate increase in the great agrt-
cultural states that Champ Clark calls
"the very heart Of the nation" But
the increase in population to 100000
900 or more. in the decennial census
now being made. forces again upon
Congress the problem that it has faced
every ten years since 1870: The MEM
bership Of the national House of Rep
resentatives is growing unwieldy and
cumberson and to the detriment OF
careful, economic and efficient legisla-
tive action.
Following every decennial census the
membership of the House has been in
creased with the single exception of
1910. when the Senate held the House
membership down to 232. thus reduc-
ing 1t ten members. The present MEM
bership is AS. having gained forty
four new members in the last decen-
NAL census. 1t now seems likely that
even by retaining the congressional
districts at approximately the same
figure as at ,43O-the new
census would add at least sixty-nine
members from thirty-three states,
making the new membership 5o4.
Problem Being Discussed.
Already leaders in Congress are dis
cussing this problem. devising ways
to meet it. and contemplating struc-
tural changes in the Capitol to make
room in the House chamber for the
increased membership. as well as to
provide better light and ventilation
and convenience for the members of
the lower branch Of Congress.
The last time that the House grew
to 435-the individual desks for the
members were removed to make room
for extra chairs. 1t has been found
that by not having definite. spe-
cial seat with a desk where he can
keep his stationery, books. papers.
are more inclined to visit about in
the House. chat. or gather in groups
thus disturbing debate and adding
to the confusion.
The result is that Representative
Edward W. Pou Of North Carolina.
former chairman Of the rules commit
tee. has introduced a resolution call
ing for the reinstallation Of small in
dividual desks for the members. This
has been taken, as 1ggnai for gen.
eral discussion by leaders on both
sides of the House OF prospective
plans for charging the seating capac-
ity and improving the ventilation of
the chamber.
Champ Clark Gives Views.
Champ Clark. former Speaker and
now democratic leader. explained that
the reason a special commission au-
tnorized several years ago to work
upon this matter has not accomplish
ed anything is because Elliot Woods.
the superintendent of the Capitol
building, had ascertained that even
after all the material had been as
sembled on the Capitol grounds it
would take seven months to remodel
the chamber. AS Congress has been
ton of Taft. except in 1915. when the
members expected to be called back
any day on account Of the war in
Europe. the work has been postponed.
Mr.. Clark favors the tearing out of
the wall behind the Speakers desk.
dong away with the Speakers lob
by" where the newspaper men inter-
view the congressman and carrying
the House chamber through to the
outer wall. thus getting direct fresh
air into the hall Of the House. which
is now a room within a room. The
proposals for architectural or struc-
tdral changes also include enlarge
ment of the galleries.
Decennial Increase Opposed.
sentiment has been repeatedly ex-
pressed in Congress against the de-
cennial increase in the size of the
House. but local interests have al
ways been successful in out voting the
better judgment of the leaders in both