Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-19
CHAMBER REVIEWS
SUFFRAGE STAND
Commerce Group Reflects
LeeSe, Weld and Darr
at Annual Session.

Recommendation urging national
representation for the District of
Columbia, expansion of the industrial
life of the metropolitan area surround
ing the National Capital and the float
ing of a great bond issue for per-
manent civic improvements and other
projects designed for the upbuilding
of the city and its facilities, again
We're made by officers and committee
chairmen in reports to the Washing
ton Chamber of Commerce at it's
annual election meeting held at the
Willard Hotel.
Many of the projects already have
been approved by the chamber and
now are on its program of activities.
A number of new proposals affecting
the traffic situation downtown were
accepted by the chamber, and other
suggestions were not acted on for
mally beyond acceptance of reports.
The meeting was attended by more
than 400 members.
Martin A. Leese unanimously was
reelected president of the organiZa-
ton for a second term. and the two
vice presidents, Ivan c. Weld and
Charles w. Darr, also were reinstated
for additional terms by Viva-voce
unanimous vote. All three officers
were lauded for their services in the
past year.
New Directors Named.
Ten new members of the board of
directors of the chamber were elected,
as follows: DIR. Frank w Ballou,
George S. De Neale. Frank z. Fen
wick, Warren c. Kendall, Harry King,
Arthur d. Marks, Arthur G. Smith.
Gen. Anton Stephan, Charles j. Stock
man and w. j. Waller
A declaration for national repre-
sentation for the half-million residents
of the Capital was made by President
Leese in his annual address.
Pointing out that the Chamber OF
Commerce was the first business or
ganization in Washington to take up
the cry for a definite voice in gov
eminent affairs here through proVi-
sion of representation in Congress.
Mr.. Leese referred TO the action of
the national representation commit
tee of the chamber, which has been
urging the passage of House joint
resolution 208, which proposes an
amendment to the Constitution Civ
ing Congress authority to extend the
right of suffrage to the District in
the form of national representation.
Quoting from a report by this COM
mittee, President Leese declared:
I've believe that the 500, 600 Amer
leans in the District of Columbia, who
pay national taxes, who obey national
laws and who go to war in the Ma
TONS defense, are entitled, on Ameri-
can principles, to be represented in
the National Government which taxes
them, which makes all laws for them
and which sends them to war.
Commercial Growth Urged.
One of the chief problems facing
the city. Mr.. Leese said, is that of
commercial development to provide
additional money and employment
for the city, and he pointed to the
movement for fostering industrial eX-
pansion here as one of the great prof.
ects for the chamber in the coming
years.
1.-THE feeling that Washington must
become self-supporting, Mr.. Leese
declared, lis now gaining widespread
support from Washington's civic and
business organizations.
Industrial development of the met
ropolitan area of the Capital, he de-
elared, could be OF a nature that
would not in any way disturb the
artistic side of the city.
'The increase in Washington's pop
ulation at a rate out of proportion to
the increase of Federal activities
means that business activities must
be expanded even more rapidly 70
make the city SELF supporting. Elk
mansion of the city beyond the linn
its of the District is creating new
problems in city planning. public sani-
tation and education which are press
ing for solution. AS the city grows in
size, the menace of disease and crime
will call for increased attention If
we are to maintain our city In the
same status which it has enjoyed in
the past.
Bond Issue Favored.
Another outstanding proposal which
already has been acted upon favor
ably by the chamber is the floating
Of a bond issue of $100,000,00O for
needed permanent improvements for
the District. It is felt by some that
The cost of these projects should be
partly borne by future generations of
District residents rather than by
present taxpayers. or rather than
cause postponement Of their COM
pIetien.
Mr.. Darr, in reporting on the activi-
ties of the committee on police and
fire protection and public safety, was
outspoken in criticism Of the ban on