Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-25
FOR A DELEGATE FIRST.
Real Representation for the Dis
trict Too Hard to Get.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The District Delegate Association ap-
preciates the frankness and ability OF
The Stars position on representation
for the District as fairly and fully
stated in your paper Of yesterday.
The delegate association over a year
ago considered carefully. as we thought,
every possible angle of this question. and
came to the conclusion that the quickest
possible relief to be obtained from an in
tolerable situation was the sine qua non
Of the hour. with this as the viewpoint
The Star will agree that discussion on
real and full representation" In Con-
gress for the District at the present
time becomes purely academic
Real representation means a state 8
full complement of senator's and repre-
sentatives. only to be obtained for the
District by an amendment to the Con-
stitution.
Any Congress could at any time. this
gate for the District. There Is no half
way house in which to lodge between
these two propositions.
Measure the time taken TO secure the
income tax and popular election of sena-
tors amendments. both questions not par
tisan but great governmental reforms
advocated by all parties, and yet score
of years dragged out tier weary length
before these runners in the amendment
gauntlet touched post at council house;
what chance of adoption this wee little
waif of ours by the legislatures OF forty
eight states?
And with the admission of the District
of Columbia a state into the Union
local, not national With Washington
til capital Of the state of Columbia. The
Stars fear of death to the present rela-
tons of capital and nation would surely
be realized. But how these relations
could be touched or affected. or even
strained at any point by delegate In
Congress, we fail to realize.
The ntimation that the Commissioners
represent the people before Congress as
quasi delegates" Is pleasing in theory,
but disappointing in practice The cup OF
the Commissioners duties, now added to
by the control of the public utilities. Is
full to the brim, the pitcher yet UNI
emptied. No privilege of debate on the
floor of Congress Is accorded the Com
missioners: full credit and appreciation
have not yet been given to what this
would mean to the District dele
gates opportunity for debate would be
just as boundless. free and full and as
effective, we take it. as that accruing to
representative. Everything that the
representative could accomplish for the
District in the presentation of facts or
In the cultivation of good feeling. the
delegate likewise would be there with
the goods. Understand. success on even
the delegate question Is by no manner
of means assured, but as We sense Con-
gress and the people Of the District. the
flag of this proposition could be advanc-
ed farther north and possibly planted In
victory than the banner of real repre-
sentation'. for the District in Congress
at this time and by far shorter route:
Remember also that large number OF
our people, possibly greater number
than those who support the independent
proposition of a delegate. earnestly ad-
vocate the election of the civilian Com
missioners by the people. the grant OF a
city council with complete control Of Dis
trict affairs.
Forrest. the dashing cavalry leader OF
the civil war, won his saber combats by
gettin' there fustest with the mostest
men" What the District wants right
now is not only to get there first with an
authorized spokesman on the floor OF
Congress. but to get there In the rough
but expressive language of the street,
p d. Q. Before the District undertakes
the marathon of real representation
with resulting statehood let her warm
NJ a little on the delegate half track.
WILLIAM Nick. CLAYTON.