Evening star., 1927-02-25

A confident prediction that Wash
ington eventually will be granted its
right to representation in Congress
was voiced by Frank w. Mondell.
former floor leader of the House, in
addressing the Washington Chamber
of Commerce at a banquet meeting
held last night at the Mayf1ower Ho-
tel in celebration of the twentieth an
niversary of the founding of the
organization.
While declaring that under the pres
ent situation of taxation without rep.
resentation this city is fairly well
served by it's congressional council
men," taking all in all, Mr.. Mondell
said national representation for Wash
ington has become mot a question of
policy, but a. matter of necessity in
the conduct of the affairs of the Capt.
tai City"
Martin A. Leese PreSides.
Mr. Mondell. in alluding to the
policy of Congress in cutting down
its share of the expenses of the Capt.
tai, asserted the Federal Government
should make more liberal payments
for the upkeep of the Nations city.
The speaker also bespoke greater in
dustrial development of Washington
of conservative type such as would
not jeopardize the beauty of Wash
ingtoh.
The address of the former represent
ative was the only formal one on the
program, which consisted largely of
entertainment features. Martin A.
Leese. president of the chamber. pre-
sided over the session. which was at
tended by more than 800 members of
tbs organization and guests.
President Coolidge was invited as
guest of honor, but was prevented
from attending by the pressure of of
fetal duties. Among special guests
were a number of members of Con-
gress, the District Commissioners and
past presidents of the chamber.
Mr.. Mondell opened his address with
praise for the Chamber of Commerce
and other similar bodies here devoted
to public service.
Lauds Organizations Usefulness.
Few Washingtonians, I imagine.
realize the very great importance and
usefulness Of an active organization of
this kind in community living under
conditions existing here" he said.
Chambers of commerce are recog-
nized as essential organizations in
every city of consequence in the coun-
try, but here, where taxation and leg
iSlation are not accompanied by rep
reSentation, civic organizations must,
to a large extent, furnish the pro-
pelling force, the advice and the coun-
Gil. the influence and argument which
elsewhere in the land are eXerted
largely through political and semi-po-
litical channels.
Some day, of course he predicted,
the District of Columbia will have
,ta@ tova IN t,n
just what form that may be accom-
plished l do not pretend to guess, but
with the growth and development of
Washington, such representation be-
comes not a question of policy, but a
matter of, necessity in the conduct of
the affairs of the Capital City.
Congress will continue to serve
more o rless satisfactorily as the city
council and the State legislature of
the District. but Congress will, l
think, eventually see the wisdom of
clothing the Commissioners of the Dis
trict with greater power and respOnsi-
bility.
Prays Against Experiments"
1.-THE people of Washington are
not, of course, always entirely happy
over the kind of service which the
Congress renders as it's city council.
and 1 have at times entirely approved
their view even when as a member OF
Congress I shared to limited extent in
the responsibility for what was done or
left undone. But let us remember that
the city governments which people
themselves elect are not always en-
tirely satisfactory. Take it all in all,
/ thing Washington is fairly well
served by its congressional council.
But from the Representatives, IL there
be any such. who may want to try
out on the District in the name of
progress weird experiments which no
self governing community would at
tempt, good Lord, deliver u.s."
Taking up the question Of fiscal re-
lations, Mr.. Mondell declared:
1.-The process of whiting down the
proportion which Uncle Sam pays to.
ward the upkeep Of the District has
progressed quite as far as it ought to
go. | am of the opinion that the time
has arrived when in all fairness and
justice Uncle Sans lump sum- should
become a larger lump and more of a
sum-"
Urging greater governmental con
troll over the development of Washing
ton, the speaker declared, there must
be an extension and enlargement OF
the public interest in and control over
the citys growth.
Neither extreme avarice or afro,
cious taste must be allowed to mar the
beauty or destroy the symetry of the
capital" he said.
Referring to the movement in which
the Chamber of Commerce has joined
for expansion of the Industrial life OF
the metropolitan area of the Capital
tho oolar iii fhQrn iS q npad here
of some activities other than those
which center around public, profes-
sional and social life.
Needs Some Industries.
Washington needs something of
industry-not smoke -belching or land
Ccane dasfrnVine industry but of a