Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-19
CONGRESS BALANCE IS SHIFTED.
Members Now Represent ESQ, 900 Con-
stituents and Some More.


{ stituents and Some More.
~ the Associated Press.
Every member Of Congress under the
proposed reapportionment Of the House
VIII represent about ESQ 900 constituents.
After the FIRST census. IN 1870, each
member represented only $1,000.
In the present Congress. each member
Is supposed to represent 1877 per-
sons, but many have several times this
many constituents because Of the fall
ure TO reapportion the House IN 1920.
The number Of constituents repre-
scented by each member has multiplied
rapidly In spite Of an almost constant
increase in the size Of the House since
the Nation was established. The first
House, set up under the Constitution,
was composed Of IS members. After
the first census, in 1890, the size Of
the House was increased to 106 MEM
bers, and II was enlarged after every
census until 1880, when 1t reached 242.
Membership Cat In 1s4O.
After 1910 there was a belief the
House was becoming too large, and 1t
was cut TO asa members. From then
until 1910 the House was enlarged after
every census until 1t reached . menu
befship Of AS. Under the law passed
In the Spring Of 1929, the House will
remain limited to 435 unless q new Law
Is enacted during the next session.
The representation Of some States in
the House has not changed since the
beginning, while others have gained
tremendously.
Virginia, for instance, had 10 men,
befs in the first Eouse and has 10 at
present. Under the new apportionment,
b, ever, it will lose /. As late as
1850 the three States which are 70 gain
most-G California, Michigan and Texas
had q combined representation Of only
8 seats. Now It is proposed 70 give
them So. Missouri, the big loser under
the proposed shake-up, VIII so back TO
the number Of Representatives 1t had in
1870, dropping from IS to 10. Indiana,
another big loser, viii have less seats
than for the past so years, going back
from 10 to IL.
Political Strength Affected.
The new apporticnment. announced
By President Hoover, will result In wide
changes IN political strength, the cleo
toral college and State delegations 70
where the anti-prohi bltionists are
strong, viii have greater power, and
some of the agricultural States In
which prohibitionists ind much Of their
strength win lose.
Already there are indications that OPP
ponents Of the apportionment viii at.
tempt at the short session to bring the
contest over the method of division to
the House floor. Numerous issues VIII
be involved. ranging from prohibition
70 the continuous battle between rep
resentatives Of industrial States and
those OF farming regions.
The feappOftionnnent figures were de-
ferfnined by the Secretary Of Commerce
On the basis Of the 1880 census. with
tire population placed at LA, 0e3. ASS.
II Congress fails 70 amend the Law
b. March the reappoFtionment be-
comes effective on that date and apple
cable to the Seventy third Congress.
The States will be notified Of the
number Of Representatives allowed and
II their Legislatures fail TO create new
districts candidates for the House In
the Eeventy-third and succeeding Con-
grasses would be required 70 run for
ofaee 1rUnlatlle states at large
RepreseIH etiye Rankin, Democrat.