Evening star., 1927-02-16

general expansion of the 1nduStrla
and commercial activities of this city
while keeping in mind always the
Importance of protecting and enhanc
ing the beauty OF the Capital, were
advocated last night by Representa-
tive Rathbone of Illinois in addressing
the Washington Chamber of Com
merce at the Willard Hotel The
session last night was devoted ir
large measure to the question of in
dustrial development of Washington
Mr.. Rathbone declared that there
is a great and legitimate field for ex
pansion of the industrial life of this
city and that with proper safeguards
for the esthetic side of the District S
development. he would lend his sup
port whole -heartedly to the move
ment.
Leaders Back Movement.
Addresses advocating the industrial
movement also were made by Martln
A. Leese, president of the chamber
Gen. Anton Stephan, president OF the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso'
ciation and Frank p. Leach. repre-
senting the Washington Board OF
Trade all of which organizations have
,oined in the movement. A survey
Of present commerce and manufac-
turing here, to be used as the basis
of later advertising appeal for
Washington, now Is under way. The
three trade body representatives
pledged their support to continuation
of the movement.
In his brief but forceful address, Mr..
Rathbone, who is native OF ASH
ington, though now Representative at
large from Illinois. declared this city
to he admirably situated for develop
ment as commercial center. he
pointed to the possibilities of using
air. water, rail and bus transportation
facilities available here.
Other Capitals Great Centers.
AT the outset" said Mr.. Rathbone,
"I realize that you will be told that
WASHINGTON shouldn't have business
that 1t should have distinctive at
mosphere of a capital city.
II never would favor anything that
would in anywise blight, hinder or
lessen the beauty and the esthetic
nature of our Capital. but CONSIDER
other great capitals of the world.
They are great commercial and busl-
ness centers of their countries. and
vet their commerce does not detract
from their beauty as capital cities.
Is London any less a capital because
1t is teeming with industries that
have made it the largest city in the
world? Is Paris with all its amazing
beauty any less capital city because
of it's commerce?
Business is the foundation of every
city and without it it cannot prop
erly grow"
Urges Reasonable Limits"
Describing the definite character
of different cities that developed with
types of commercial growth, point
ing to New York as a financial CEN
ter, Detroit as the home of automobile
and Chicago, the pack
Ing center. Mr.. Rathbone declared
too. has its distinctive
atmosphere-thato of political life and
public service.
Let us keep it So" he said, "but
within reasonable limits. hope to
,ee this city expand it's industrial ac-
ivities. II l thought for a minute
his would mean that smoking Chin
leys would crowd against our beauti.
'ul public buildings I would oppose it.
But with proper coming, proper selec-
ion of the manufacturing plants to
be invited here. there is no need for
such fears"
Air Facilities Held HumiIiating.
Declaring Washington should have
a. great airport, Mr.. Rathbone con-
trasted the present limited airplane
service of this country to the great
passenger and freight lines
Of European countries.
"It is humiliating," he said, ito see
the United States. that produced the
Wright brothers, inventors of the first
practical flying machine: to see the
Nation that taught the world to fly
and that has led the world In demon
Of the potentialities OF the air
ship, in flying first across the Atlantic,
over the Pole and around the globe
now to be tagging behind other and
nations.
"1t is time we of the United States
wake up and learn what this infant of
the air may grow to be- 1t is time
this Nation developed great air lines Of
transportation, and the place to put
the beginning of it is right here in
Backs State Buildings.
Referring to the movement by the
Chamber of Commerce for the estab-
lishment of 48 State buildings in
Washington as exposition buildings
and convention halls for State func-
tions, the speaker said such a develop
ment would help make Washington
the center Of the sovereign States of
the United States.
DEPRESSING for moment to an
other feature Of the development of
the Capital. MIR. Rathbone paid a
tribute to Capt. Osborn Oldroyd, col
lector of the Lincoln collection which
the Government recently acquired,
lauding the patriotic spirit Of Capt.
Oldroyd in refusing an offer of $50. 900
for the collection from a private in
dividual, while hoping the Govern
ment would take over and preserve
the collection for public use.
Mr.. Rathbone also discussed his two
bills now pending in Congress which
call for the purchase Of the old Peter
son house on Tenth street, where Lin.
coin died, and the old Ford Theater
now used as a warehouse. where the
great emancipator was assassinated.
Emphasizes Employment Needs.
Mr.. I.eese, following Mr. Rathbone
In the discussion of the industrial de-
velopment movement, emphasized the
need for greater employment oppor.
tunities here. With the ever-increas-
ing population of Washington on one
hand and the policy of economy on
the part Of the Government on the
other. he said Washington could not
depend on Government departments
for employment. Illustrating the sit
uation. he said last year there was a
reduction Of 5000 in the number OF
Government employees here from the
1925 total.
Washington has a half million
population," he declared. land we
cant all work for the Government
new fields for employment must be
provided"
Mr.. Leese also spoke Of the indus
trial exposition to be staged at the
Washington Auditorium in March by
the Chamber of Commerce, pointing