The Washington times., 1917-11-24

WILL BOOST
FRANCHISE
FOR CAPITAL
By BILL PRICE


Senator Pomerens OF Ohio is ready
10 give a ,hefty boost In the Senate
TO legislation that VIII "AmerieGnlfen
the people Of the District OF colum-
bia. Moreover, he wiz sousistently
keep his shoulder to the wheel that
the citizens OF the District, through
their central committee, wilIS start
moving soon after congrsss neeAG
T never felt more strongly than
now that the people OF the. Distriet
ought to have representation in Con
Rress," said the Ohio Senator, WAo
introduced more than a year ago .
bill giving the District =, delegate IN
the House.
The people here have. earned the
right Of fuIl-hsdgod Amsrioans, and
I feel that they VIII get this right i
they keep moving in the proper way
I can not see the slightest reason
why they should not have the same
representation in Senate and House
and IN the Electoral College as any
State, proportioned to population
suEEests TempOrary Delegate
IF It should seem q long time on
in procuring ratification OF an amend
ment to the Constitution providing
for this representation, the same bill
that provides for this amendment
might also provide for representation
IN the House, through q delegate, un-
til the States have given their con-
sent
when I was working in some Of
the Senate committees for suffrage
for the District here were generally
two or three men who would bring
up the question Of the colored popu-
lation here and tho influence IL could
exert in elections I do not thiak
this amounts TO anything and ought
not TO stand for q minute in the
way OF suffrage All this can be
worked out There are more than
twice as many white voters In the
District a. colorod- Besides, there
are many high class colored men in
this city.
ID. O. Questions interfere.
Il believe the District entitled to
representation on merits and achieve
ments, aside from many other good
reasons. / know that I have often
felt that did not have time to con-
slider District matters brought to my
attention In the Senate owing to my
obligations to my own State, and the
nation, but I have felt that In fair
ness I must tako the time. With the
District represented in the Senate
would not have 10 bother with local
QUESTION:"
The joint committee Of citizens
bodies that viii arrange the Suffrage
campaign In Congress will consider
suggestions that the District ought
- II AL a. a.
House pending the submission OF
constitutional amendment TO the
States for ratification providing for
fun Congressional and electoral rep
resentation. The House could give
delegate representation without con-
etitutional changes, but the delegates
would be without vote and would, in
the opinion Of many Congressmen, be
of only little value compared to q
Congressman regularly chosen with
full right to vote, talk, and work.
Ratiaeation Slow Process.
Constitutional ratification BY the
State legislatures. It 10 pointed out,
is usually . slow process, due to
many reasons, including indifference
by the legislatures, the pressure OF
important State questions, and to the
LaCL L1dL ONoAS ASB ASAoSeAS 90 @ASSN
only once in two years.
The electoral machinery that will
be necessary when the District gets
to be a fuIlnedEed participant in the
AFFAIRS Of the nation could get initial
try-outs through the election of
delegate pending the ratification BY
the States now so confidently expect
ed by the District.
Senator Pomerene also favors legis-
latiou providing for the retirement OF
superannuated Government clerks by
Government cooperation and aid at
the beginning of the Inauguration Of
the system.
mo bill can get through Congress
which gives q straightout pension TO
Government clerks, but I feel that
Congress will be friendly to the right
sort OF a bill" said Senator Pomerene.
"I shall watch with interest the de-
velopments IN this matter at the COM
ing session and give my support to
LEGISLATION that will be fair alike to
the Government ard to the clerks"