Evening star., 1917-10-29
No National Impotency.

The people of the United States will
never confess impotency to make Amer
leans for the purpose OF national repre-
sentation of the residents OF the Ma
tionaI Capital. Every nation In. the
world except the United States gives to
the people of it's capital the same ma
tiona1 representation as that enjoyed
by the people OF other cities. Repub-
lies like Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
which have copied our Constitution. In
cludine the establishment of the ma
tional capital in a anation-controlled dis
trict, have, as a matter of course, given
the people of these federal districts full
representation in the national govern
ment Is the United States impotent
| where these republics are strong? Is
republican. less consistent in devotion
to the principles of representative gov
ernment than Argentina. Brazil and
Mexico?
trict should enjoy every American right
and privilege not inconsistent with ex-
elusive national control of the capital
through Congress. Full representation
consistent with exclusive control of
the District by Congress. Such repre-
sentat.on is not only consistent. but is
clearly equitable and in harmony with
American principles Of government.
does not think that the 100000 Amer
leans In the seat of government of the
United States are entitled to repre-
sentation in the legislature which alone
makes laws for them and taxes them
and may send every man of them to
war, perhaps to he wounded or killed :
Who contends that these 100000 Amer
leans are not as intelligent, as pa
triotic, as public spirfted-as American,
In ahort-as the same number of Amer
leans anywhere else In the United
States, or as the smaller number of
Americans collected In six Of the States ,
Strife e-Breeding Issues Postponed.
Our amendment does not directly and
Immediately give to Washingtonians
national representation, but 1t takes
that vital privilege from inaccessibility
and places it within reach. After its
adoption only a majority vote of Con-
eress will be required to do equity in
this matter, whereas now two-thirds
vote of Congress and a three-fourths
vote of the state legislatures are nee
assary. It's sole effect is to remedy
an acknowledged evil and to do equity
by empowering Congress to declare the
political and judicial status Of the resi-
dents of the seat of government
All of the controverted issues con-
cerning the makeup of the local cleo
| tora1e. the qualifications of voters and
the form of local government. upon
which Washingtonians radically differ.
are postponed to be decided by the ma
| iority vote of Congress after the great
and vital question OF the constitutional
status of the -Washlhseonlah mas been
ansW cred.
government we prefer. or what qualifica-
| tion for voters we favor, whether we are
| for or against voteless delegate in the
| House whether we are for or against
votes for women, whether we are for or
against the organic act OF 1878. whether
| we are democrats or republicans. progress
siyes or conservatives.
we are all for Washington. for justice
| to the Washingtonian. and for this con-
stitutional amendment.
Irresistible Appeal for Cooperation.
The appeal for harmonious local co.
oueration in this connection is irresist-
ible. The Board of Trade and Chamber
NJ Commerce have unanimously an
/ nroyed this amendment. The next sten
In organized cooperation to be taken
by Warrington is obvious.
nefore Congress reassembles all the
,unuential citizens' organizations Of the
capital will doubtless have come to-
pether In sincere agreement to co.
opernte heartily through u joint COM
| rnfttee or council In pushing thf.
| nc ndment to speedy enactment by
! ConEress and to approval by the states
| Of the Union
Let MS all as loyal Washingtonfan.
nut aside for ttme strife-provokinR
| difIerences Of opinion ooncerninE minor
collateral issues and stand shoulder to
ehoulder In n campaign for the vital
American privilege Of national repre-
sentation as taxpayers and soldiers Of