The Washington times., 1923-09-21
The Plight Of the District With
No Representative in Congress
By BTLL PRICE

By BILL PRICE
The situation that may confront the District in Congress this
winter the director Of the budget persists Ii refusing to
approve estimates unanimously regarded By the DISTRICT Com
miOne and che people Of Washington vitay essential
20 the proper upkeep and growth Of this great National City
again emphasizes our plight n having no representative in
the natcna egsate TO aid and assist Senators and Con-
eesen II getting useful facts bearing upon vital needs
nvsn COngess should take action this winter toward
giving suffrage to the District with official representation In
Congress u6h action seams impossible unless there Ii
sessonhe leklacn would not be effective for ct
least another year. probably longer
Pending that remote possibility We have nobody who can
daily tas up with Congress the prOblsms o. Tie District and
labor toward insucng the members Of both houses who
might desire information and light local questions.
The DISTRICT Commissioners VIII Be called before the District
committees Of House and Senate 70 explain the estimates that
hsss bssn submitted They WIN make valiant fight . got
appropriations that progress and development When
not Invited before ths committees they Win appear st their
own request e make urgent pleas for The right treatment q
Waahineton
Z absolutely out q question Cor these mundpal
ofcials g spend much time il The halls of tho Capital wen
DISTRICT measures under confederation hy commfttses They
overbmdened with the double duties 81 DISTRICT Conmt
Eones snd members Of Public usies Ccnniaaion Their
executive dulles alone are sufficient TO keep them at their
dsklu asht hours or more each day
These man under present laws the only spokeamen III
Congrtns Tor the District Of Columbia yet s manfst
Impossible Cor them keep ii close touch with members 81
lsf1pn fer the DISTRICT Much of our failure u obtain
3Cm C0nseelS the things thst need due 10 lack o
inoFnaon On the part Of Congress- The mind
little impressed with bulky official statements arg
mentS The pescnal touch would convey vas amount 81
enghanmsnt end instruction that would IS valuable to ie
ok the District touch can only Be- had st present
~ the Selection of "a able mix with
friends and put himself e their service securing any
anfcmasiOn they may want He should b hghcas tacl
man. paid ~ DISTRICT ksns spend IFS tme whore he WIN
Be- s. constant contact with tie who ae and influence
Legislative action affecting tie Dstrict ne would have no
authority 70 be THE sPoKRsAN Cor WashngtOn because
that duty devolves upon the Commissioners
Congress stored each ysar ~ deisgatons of District
citizens representing cc trade organizations thsmevsD
Their TOO often vide apart Unany 81 plea ig
absnnt Ihe rssut conhcng to Coneresamen Who may IS
most anxious 70 the District fairly These Ooneres1men
become topsyturvy mentally what the genuine sen
ment of the District may BE- r Is of everybody
business The cOnct Of view presented to committees
and individual aatsssn becomes annoying The outcome h
often detrimental
Probably should not stop the ood Of local citizens who
tramp the halls Of Congress with importities Petition il the
right Of American cisens they are suagslsss Butt
how much better Il would Be the petitions and arguments
delegations and individuals could be supplemented by some
community always IN cooperation Of course with the Commits
donsrs and leaders Of local sentiment
snch representative might not the perfect results
an could wish for he would not unfortunately be as
vote Of the people, but he would be Of untold value to
Washington whole In furnishing local data 70 Congress
en who sincerely wish TO have light before they vote on
District matters.
Washington citizens who years ago subscribed to al
fund which paid for the services Of Warrington instructor 70
uniformed Congremen state that benefits obtained far
beyond the salary paid The presence Of this representative in
Congress not obnoxious Il is stated He In no sense
lobbyist Tor special interes He did his influence
behalf Of particular legislatcn he was presumed
information as to the District when requested So