The Washington herald., 1913-11-30
0AFLIN URGES
DELEGATE BILL
Association Chairman Files
Brief for Representation
with Commissioners.
ADVANTAGES SET FORTH
District Heads Would Have More Time
to Devote to Business-Spokes-
man on Floor.

The bill introduced by Senator Miles
Poindexter, Of the State of Washington,
providing for the election of a delegate
to represent the District of Columbia in
Congress. has been referred by the Senate
District Committee to the Commissioners
for an opinion.
The Commissioners will return the bill to
Congress within the next several weeks,
accompanied by their opinion as to the
desirabillty of the District of Columbia
being represented in the national Con-
gress.
The Senate Committee on, the District
of Columbia will not hold a meeting. in
all probability. until January, and il is
very likely that the Poindexter delegate
during that month.
An informal canvass Of the members Of
the Senate indicates that that body will
pass the delegate bill, and since the
proposition has several strong friends on
the District Committee, the outlook for
an early passage is bright.
Association Is Optimistic.
onicers of the District Delegate Asso-
citation are optimistic that the bill will
become a law before next spring, and
that the first election of a delegate Will
be held. as provided, next fall.
Roy c. Clafiin. chairman of the Dele
gate Association, yesterday presented to
Commissioner Newman q brief on behalf
of the association, pointing out the ad-
TantSges that he believes will accrue
from the passage of the delegate bill,
which he has urged the Commissioners
to consider when they draw up their
opinion. The statement. in part, ssys:
1T is the fundamental principle Df the
American government that the people
themselves should. have a voice in the
management of their civic affairs, and
that taxation without representation shall
not exist anywhere within the American
borders
I'VE urge District representation in
Congress in pursuance of the right be-
stcwed upon all American citizens by
the forefathers of this country through
the Federal authorities.
II the present Congress refuses to
grant representation to the District of
columbia, together with the right of
voting, then their neglect will be counter |
to the principles emphasized by Presi- |
dent Woodrow Wilson on October 25 last, |
when, in Swarthmore, Pa, he made the |
following statement:
The extent Of the American conquest
is not what gives American distinction in |
the annals of the world. It is the pro-
tessed purpose OF the conquest, which |
was to see to 1t that every foot of that |
land should be the home OF free, self
governed people, who should have no |
government whatever which did not rest |
upon the consent Of the governed
Thus We believe that the people Of the |
National Capital should be represented |
In their government as a matter Of prin-
cipis in keeping with the great idea of |
American civic thought
Heads Saved Trouble.
"A delegate in Congress from this COM
munity would save the Commissioners of
the District a great deal OF valuable
time, which is needed for matters of
grave concern.
"A delegate in Congress from the Dis
trict also would save the individual
members Of Congress much time and an
noyance, which is now devoted to the
hearing of complaints Of many citizens
and organizations Of Washington.
The delegate would afford the District
an official voice on the floor of the
House, and all know the hundreds of
instances where this advantage would
have been OF inestimable value to this
community.
We believe the granting of a delegate
should precede all other reforms for the
District of Columbia. because the people
should have a spokesman to represent
them in the shaping OF legislation to re-
form their government
"A District delegate would expedite
local legislation in Congress. 1t would
be his concern to keep in touch with bills
desired by the District people.
An overwhelming majority Of the ,
people of the District Of Columbia want ,
in Congress" In
The special committee of the Chamber
OF Commerce, which Is framing a report
for presentation to the organization on
the advisability of asking for legislation
that will give the District of Columbia I
representation in the United States Con-
gress. is making splendid headway with ,
its work. and il is confidently expected 4
that the committee report will be sub :
Hlitted to a special meeting of the Or !
ganiZation within the next two weeks. \
. The personnel Of the committee-con-
sisting OF Chaplin Brown, Albert Schulz r
tets, William z. Shannon. E. C. Graham, !
and Harry King. has made a very search 4
Ing investigation Of the subject matter, ;
and II is thought that when its report is ,
submitted. il will represent the best OBJ ;
tainable. In view Of the great interest
in this matter, it is expected that the :
special meeting will be well attended. ;