Evening star., 1922-01-05
DISTRICT BOOSTED
ATC|V|TAN DINNER
Representation in Congress
and Vote for President
Is Urged.
PLAN TO BEAUTIFY CITY
Justice Stafford ElectrifeS Audi
tors in Talk on Citizen
shin,

With representatives present from
the executive, legislative and judicial
branches of the local government
matters of Importance to the future
of the District of Columbia were
touched upon by speakers at the nrst
annual banquet of the Civitan club
of Washington, held at the Shoreham
Hotel last night.
National representation in Congress.
with the privilege of voting for the
President of the United States by the
people of the District. was strongly
indorsed by both Senator Eall or Del
aware chairman OF the Senate Dis
trict committee, and Justice Nendell
Phillips Stafford of the District Su-
preme Court. while Engineer Commls-
sioner Charles Keller spoke in optl-
mistic terms of proposed plans 10
beautify the city and Representative
Fred NJ Zihlman of Maryland stressed
the necessity of certain reforms per-
tanning to local affairs.
Would Permit Voice.
Senator Ball said it was the purpose
of Congress to give the District the
best possible government TO ne hau'
and that after careful consideration
of the question of suffrage for the
residents of the area he had convinced
himself that local citizens should nave
Il voice in all branches OF the federdl
government
Il am unalterabIy opposed. however.
to any proposition to change the pres
ent form of local government. SAID
Senator Ball, and j think l voice the
sentiment of the great majority on
the Hill. Convince Congress that ma
tional representation and the vote Tor
presidential candidates is not an open
ing wedge to change your present
government and | feel certain you
will have an excellent chance OF OBJ
. tanning such privileges in the near
future"
Senator Ball said, further it was the
determination of Congress to continue
to give money to make this great
National Capital the most beautlfui
city in the world He referred
briefly to the movement to complete
the park plans of the city. and said
Congress must act soon regarding the
matter. or private ownership might
encroach on connecting links as out
lined at present
EIectrifes Hearers
Responding to the toast. MY Hope
for a Better World Justice Stafford
electrified his auditors with brilliant
address on ideal citizenship. He. too.
emphasized the necessity Tor the cltl-
Zens of the District to have voice
in each one of the three branches OF
government and stressed the impor-
tant part the courts of the country
played with the people.
"Of the three branches of the gov
ernment." said Judge Stafford, lit is
the judicial with which the great
mass of people come IN closest con-
tact. Through them they see their
government in action. No matter
what the rule of law may be. II 1t
does not work out well in the courts
people have little respect for their
government
Justice Stafford spoke of the i'm
portapce of the jury. and advised
the organization that he could think
of no better movement to foster than
fulfill their duty in serving as jurors.
Ccmmissioner "Relntes."
Commissioner Keller related a few
of his experiences before 'appropria-
tions committees" and said that
while he appreciated the crying need
of frugality and economy in all mat
ters at the present time, he would
not suggest the omission of any ap-
propriation that is good for the
District of Columbia
Representative Eihiman urged
traffic court for the District. and re-
fcrring to the pending amendment to
the Jones bill altering fiscal rela-
tions between the federal and Dis
trict governments. warned against
.the insidiousness underlying the
measure" declaring its enactment
into law would be extremely detri-
mental to the citizens of the District
Charles F. Roberts, president of
organization on it's growth.
owing to death in his family,
Rudolph Jose. newly elected presi-
dent of the club, was unable to pre-