Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-18
States Would Accord Repre-
sentation, Lawrence Tells
Chamber of Commerce.

tnlnSaDiC tn1J the Ilhll IlllillNll kttVpi'
living here should be deprived repre-
Sentatives in their law-making body
lie bespoke the active participation al
Spokesman for all local groups at the
hearing on January "a before the House
judiciary committee on the joint reSo-
luton which would pave the way FOL
this change in local government.
The address of Mr.. Lawrence, who l:
known nationally as a Washington cor
respondent and editor of the new daily
publication. was broadcast by station
WMAL and was carried to homes
throughout the District and vicinity.
support Rcaffirmed.
Earlier in the session the chamber
adopted report by its committee or
national representation strongly reaf.
firming its former action in supporting
the movement for election Of repre-
sentatives Of the District to the Houst
and Senate and of delegates TO the
electoral college.
Ivan C. Weld. past first vice presi.
dent of the chamber, was elected prcsi-
dent Of the organization by unanimous
vote TO succeed Martin A. Leese, who
retired from Office after two terms
Charles w. Darr. who served during the
past year AS second vice president, was
elevated to fill the post Of first vice
president. while Rudolph Jose was elect
ed second vice president. New members
of the board of directors Of the cham.
Der were elected as follows: Robert L
McKeever. Fred Buchholz. Manson
Foote. William o. Tufts, Norman w
Oyster. Ralph A. Davis Peter A. Drury
John A. Eckert, Travers J. Croker anc
r. b H. Lyon.
Situation Held Unfair.
In opening his address Mr.. Lawrence
declared that the subject of national
representation for the District had be-
come specific and concrete and that at
no time as at present had there been
such a unanimity of opinion here and
throughout the country for this change
in the government OF the people of the
National Capital Since the World War
it has become increasingly apparent
that the citizens of Washington were
placed in an anomalous position-in-
curing all the obligations OF citizen
ships while at the same time being de-
prived OF the prime privilege Of citizen
ship. voice in their government. This
situation, he declared, is obviously
unfair.
Washington. he declared should in
sist upon the same rights in govern
ment that are enjoyed by citizens Of
other jurisdictions in the United States.
City Elections Not Involved.
Mr.. Lawrence emphasized the point
that the movement for national rep
resentation does not contemplate cleo
ton of the municipal officials OF the
District and should not be confused
with any movement for purely local
suffrage.
The speaker pointed out that under
the existing system Of local government
the people of the District have no part
in the decision as TO what the local
budget should be or in fixing the
amount OF the tax burden. but rather
only the privilege OF watching the leg
isiators from other States enact laws
for the District OF Columbia He ex-
pressed surprise that any one should
question the desire OF a half million
disfranchised people for voice In their
own government. Urging representa-
tives 81 all groups In Washington TO
lake part In the forthcoming hearing
on national representation by the
House judiciary committee, Mr.. Law
renee predicted that when Washington
has convinced Congress that ii really
wants a voice In its government you
viii carry the day"
Cites ID. &. Tax Burden.
Mr.. Lawrence pointed 10 the great
growth that has been made In Wash
mgton In recent years and predicted
that the future would see the develop
ment Of this city as center Of educa-
lion. art and business. and declared
that greater material growth must
come To support the growth In size oi
the population As evidence of It's
present development and basis for the
right To q voice in It's government. Mr.
Lawrence cited figures showing tho
amount Of income tax paid by residents
Of the District 10 be more than the
total for Is States, and that the taxes
paid here amounted tn more than the
sum Of taxes paid in five States.
The resolution adopted by the cham
her reaffirming Its Endorsement Of ma
tional representation movement. which
sas presented by Mr.. Weld. reads.
Petition Is ReafIirmed.
Whereas the Constitution of thf
United States provides that Congress
shall have power To exercise exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever over
the District Of Columbia: and
Whereas tire population OF the Dis
tsict has increased To more than hall q
million inhabitants. who. through Their
civic and trade organizations, are united
In their desire 10 obtain national repre-.
sentati0n in Congress Therefore
BE H. resolved. That the Washington
Chamber Of Commerce. IN meeting as
seYnbied. hereby rcaifirmS It's ady0cac,
n national representation for the people
u The District of Columbia, and doe
earnestly petition the committees on tn
judiciary of the Congress 10 take favor
able action on the joint resolution pro
posing All amendment ~ the ConstltI
tion ~ the United states providing foi
national representation for the people
u The District ~ Columbia ="
Mr. Weld reported on the ACTIVITIES
~ the chamber during The past year u
support III the national representation
mo. frnen,, IN co~opeiaLiOn With othfl
constituent members ~ the Citlzens
JOINT Committee on National Repre-
sentation, under the Chairmankhip o.
Theodore w Eoyes.
ieese Makes Report.
Mr. Ieesf, IN felinquikhing the pfesi
cency NJ the chamber. frvlf we'd M
ma lor activities u the organization dur
;ilg the past year Among jOr aHtiyi
ties ~ The chamber he included tbs
movement for restoration of the 30 Al
fiscal plan, establishment NJ the Join
industrial Crunch, studies made of III
need ~ 4 compulsory automobile aeei
A H.