Evening star., 1922-01-18


Washington Board of Trade heard
Senator l.. H. Ball. chairman of the
Senate District committee. heartily
indorse national representation for
the District of Columbia, at the
monthly meeting of that. organiza-
tion last night at the Willard Hotel.
Chairman Ball stated that he could
see no valid objection to District
representative in the House and SEN
ate and in the electoral college. Pro-
longed applause greeted Senator Ball
at the conclusion of his speech.
"At the beginning of the hearings
on suffrage for the District" said the
speaker, "I confess that l was op-
posed to any change in the affairs
Of the District. Since then l have
changed my mind. l am still hrmiy
of the opinion that there should De
Of government. 1t has shown Itself
to be the best form OF government I
for American cities. I think it would
be a serious mistake to change IT,
But l can see no valid objection 70
the District citizen having representa-
ton in the electoral college wnicn
elects the President of the United
States, who in turn appoints your
Commissioners. And I can see no OBJ
lection to your having voting rep
resentatiVe in the House ana III
the Senate You will then be rep
resented in the election OF tne
man. always loyal American and
Interested inter in the National Capital.
who appoints your Commissioners
and in the Congress which levies
your taxes.
Opuoses School Politics.
"I do not believe" continued Sen :
ator Ball. that the school board OF
the District should be made pollti,
cal matter. The school board shoulo
still be appointed by the Judiciary;
Washington should have the best ano
most able school board in the country
"Washingten is certainly. in char-
acter of citizenship. able to hold its
cwn with any state in the Union Ine
same can be said of the loyalty or the
residents of the District. in war and
in peace, In war Congress calls on
the District of Columbia for sacrl-
Aces the same as the states. and 1t is
hardly fair that you shouldn't nave
some say in the body that makes
wars.
"Some people. who are opposed to
District representation. say that II
senators and representatives are elect
ed from Washington they will attempt
to dictate to Congress in District az
fairs. If any man that the District
elects can be strong enough and elo-
quene enough to convince that oodS
against it's will, send him on. we
need men like him.
Rising from a sick bed to address
the board last night. Senator Ball was
accorded a hearty reception. The en-
tire board was elated that the senator
should come out SO whole-heartedly
for national representation. Advo-
Gates of this measure-and they num-
ber a legion-believe that definite
step forward has been taken and that
before long the goal OF united Wash
ington-national representation-wil
be reached.
IndOraed by Mr.. Harrison.
Representative Thomas w. Harrison
of Virginia. in a brief address, agreed
with Senator Ball that the District
and said that the time had now come
when Washington must be recognized
Mr. Harrison. touched briefly on the
agricultural depression and predicted
that, with a closer association with
Washington. the valley of Virginia
agricultural and business life of the
country. He spoke of the many high
ways which are now being completed
to connect Washington and Virginia.
"The valley of Virginia. fertile and
beautiful" said Mr.. Harrison. wishes
to get in closer touch with Washington.
The center of inspiration of Virginia
is to work in harmony with the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Representative Frank P. Millspaugh
of Missouri. asserted that he was ex-
tremely glad to meet the business men
Of this city and hoped to have long
and pleasant association with them.
Reports from the following commit
tees were read and adopted: Bridges
George w. Offutt, jr., chairman: law
Alexander Wolf, chairman: municipal
art, Appleton P. Clark, chairman: pub.
lie schools. William S. Washburn
chairman, and reports on referendums
Nos. 81 and SO of the United States
Chamber of Commerce.
Urgent Recommendations.
Five urgent recommendations were
made by the committee on bridges
They are:
This committee reiterates it's rec.
ommendation relative to replacing
the Calvert Street bridge at the earli.
est possible moment. Plans have al.
ready been made for the Calvert
Street bridge, the construction Of