The Washington times., 1916-04-17
HOME RULE FORD. c.
DISCUSSED BY FORUM
Constitutional Amendment to
Give Washington Votes In
Congress, Governor, and
Statehood.

self-government for the District Of
Columbia by two different methods was
discussed by the principal speakers be-
fore the Grover Cleveland Forum At
the Public Library yesterday.
Chairman A. j. Driscoll announced
that tho meeting was for discussion OF
tbe Poindexter bill which would give
the District a delegate In Congress.
Amending the Federal Constitution
as provided In the Chamberlain joint
resolution, however, to allow residents
OF the District to vote for two SEN
Rtors and n Congressman, was the sub
ject discussed by Chaplin Brown. the
e. W. Oyster also dfverged from
the announced subject TO explain q
scheme for District self-government
which he has laJc before the ePtworth
citzens' Association.
Mr.. Oysters Plan.
This plan would provide a governor
for the District and fve commissioners,
all elective. and in addition Ave COM
missioners named by the President.
The governor and commissioners would
divide authority now exercised by the
District Commissioners.
A delegate in the House also is pro-
vlded. The franchise is conferred upon
AL persons over twenty-one years oil
age" with restrictions as to length OF
residence here and an educational test.
The recall and initiative and the secret
ballot are also specified.
Mr.. Oyster in arguing for his plan de-
clared that he did not oppose either the
Poindexter bill or the Chamberlain
resolution. but that the extent Of self
insignificant when compared TO what
the District ought to have"
lie added that the United States ZAP
pear as hypocrites before other coun.
tries Of the world. by claiming 70 stand
for self-governrhent while denying II e
the people who live in the Nations
"Those who have been here Ions
enough know" he said in concluding
that Congress has never taken the in.
terest IL ought to take in the District
Of Columbia. I criticise them not be-
cause they don't give the time and at
tention to the District that II deserves
but because they hold onto their power
over the District and fail to properly
exercise IT,"
Statehood Proposed.
Chaplin Prown. in discussing I he
Chamberlain resolution declared that
amendment OF the Constitution would
not be necessary to provide conditional
representation In Congress and self
government for the District.
He suggested instend that under Sec
ticn 2. Al Itlcla Nv OF the Constitution
the District could be admitted ns a
state with certain restrictions
Miss Maud Younger who said she
was ''in Washington lobbying for the
Anthony amendment" discussed i'm
proved conditions In SON Francisco
slnee woineo were granted the vote in
"rhe talIot Is an instrument she
declared that In the unfolding OF de-
mocracv thrornfout the world has come
In Succession to different grouns OF
rerEons. As ench har acquired II laws
In favor Of that, group ha'rn been put
on the statute books"
u. ]. Ward announced that Secretary
Of War Baker would make his FIRST pub.
lie address In Washington before the
forum next Sundsy.
The forum named the Rev. Henry
jackson to carry It's greetings "a the
Southern Educational Conference In
New Orleans this wear, President Drls
coll was delegated to represent the
forum at similar gathering in New
YORK;