The Washington times., 1914-12-09
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE
URGED BY CHAMBER
Committee Appointed to Draft
Petition to Congress Asking
for an Amendment.

An amendment to the Constitution OF
tho United States. enfranchisinE the
citizens OF the District Of Columbia Ia
select representatives to sit in the
House. the Senate. and the Electoral
college. is being drafted by special
committee Of the Chamber Of Com
snercc for introduction into Congress.
BY a practically unanimous vote
only two among approximately ~"
voices being raised If dissent, the
chamber of Commerce last night ADOPT
cd resolution demanding a constitu-
1NouaI amcndrr ent which. while grant
ing to the residents OF the seat of the
National capital the privilege Of Sc
iocting representatives in the 'ouse,
Serate. and Electoral College, shall in
no manner affect the exclusive jUris-
dIotion OF Congress over the District.
alter the present form of government
~. inerfere with the present half-and=
half financial plan.
Though the subject Of suffrage had
been made the special business Of last
nights general meeting OF the chamber
the body also adopted reports OF spe-
cial committees proposing amendments
Of the law relating to the assessment
Of benefits for street and alley improve
ments, and changes in the procedure OF
dealing with prisoners held for the Grim
inal and juvenile courts that may i'm
prove tho living cond lions of the
prisoners and expedite their trials.
Tells of Express Conditions.
Louis NJ Porter. representing the
American Express Company. briefly
outlined the express situation in the
United States today. and dwelt at
length upon the insuffciency Of the ex-
press rates as now established.
The recommendation of the special
suffrage committee, presented by Albert
Schulteis. the chairman, was based on
The joint resolution proposing an
amendment OF the Constitution. which
was offered in the Senate December >,
1902, by Senator Jacob II. Galilnger OF
New Hampshire 1t read: We recon-
mend that the Constitution of the nj
led States be amended so that the Dis
trict of Columbia shall be considered
q Safe in so far as il shall be entitled
10 representation in the Senate ana
the House and in the Electoral Col
lege."
In supporting the report. Mr.. Schulteis
declared that the amendment would not
in any manner affect the exclusive jur-
Isdiction of Congress over the District;
would not alter or interfere with the
existing half-and-half financial arrange
raent between the District and the Fed
cral Government, and would not have
the effect of changing the present
fCrm of government in the District. but
could give the people of the District
voice IN the National Government and
raise them to the par value Of American
citizenship
Points Out Losses.
He pointed 10 the loss which the citi-
zcns Of the District had suffered through
T.r enactment Of the alley BILL with
out provision for compensation for the
condemned property, which he attributed
10 the fact that the community had no
representative in the House when the
lii was called up.
AIR Scnulteis called attention 10 the
fact that the District has more popul2-
ton than six VI the States OF the Union
sent more men to the Spanlsh-Amerlcan
war than did three States and two ter
.itUrils combined: paid more internal
revenue taxes in 1913 than did six States
ana one Territory combined, and FUR
nishcs more national guard officers and
men than do any one Of six States aud
two Territories.
Former Senator Henry W. Blair, Of
New Hampshire. who as a member OF
the Senate made a stubborn effort to
obtain suffrage for the District. made
patriotic appeal to the members Of the
chamber TO preserve with their cam
"a ign. There = no other capital IN
the universe. he declared, where the
Jeoplc living within the capital are
forced 70 wear the badge Of inferiority
II those who IL. without that city
If YOU make The Declaration OF In
"spSualrce IPpi cable continued N"
eaker to tho District. and thus 10
every citizen Of the United States, YOU
viii ne as immortal as jefferson OF
Washington. IOU will have patched
up the work Of she fo-cfathers-
Plea For the Women.
T,e question Of woman's suffrage vas
!-lcoted when Mrs Antoinette Funk,
-jct chairman Of the national Congress
s.oGa1 comm ttce of the National Ame-i-
an Womau.s Suffrage Association, with
rr, perm -Siou 4 the Chamber, arose
o.. pledge Tho support Of her OrSanlza-
ION The Chamber. she said. would
.svc the backing y 100000 American
s. omen. with a well-w0vkiaS machine,
Conditional ynly upon thc TACT that the
..omwendaL. ON ror suffrage made 10
.uuETeSs should Include the demand
at the right be granted 10 the women
On. Tho District.
Ir ". p Carr. criticisiug sharply the
+.ll'Gle Of The House District Commit
co., rhich he termed hostile" urged
.. adUg'.pn yf the resolution. and de-
ared mat G.e Chamber. whether favor
20 or OF posing woueu's suffrage. would
HeN 20 accept the offer Of the sUf-
f."-.Els As woman's suffrage is COM
.- and w had better get on the band
Fagon." =. T. Moran also spoke in
'aNO. Of tn resolution. Il was opposed
Boz. Louis Gutenberg and John Dolph-
Tho report on the alleged undue de-
ltiol Of prisoners. presented by r. l..
NCnCIrc, recommended the Contiuu-
.ano II criminal trials throughout the
miner the extension OF Tho jurisdic-
u. o. The juvenile court. q nov house
. -.tonripu and the segregation of FIRST
lrrs from hardened criminals dur
l"u detention.
Question of Assessments.
.. dealing with the subject Of assess
n-.' 81 benefits for street and alley
improvements. Charles ". Clagc;t.
.aair4an DI tire spec Al committee. re-
.nErruded the appointment Of d special
.o..IIrr-" which should. with the Dis
-.ir' Commissioners. cndcavor TO have