Evening star., 1920-02-28
CITIZENSHIP QUERY
OFFERED DISTRICT
Judge Webb Gives Results
of Research-West End
Citizens Meet.

lumbia a citizen of the District of
Columbia?
That query. as propounded by Judge
Fl. Randall Webb at meeting of the
West End Citizens Association last
night at Concordia Lutheran Church.
is expected to be thrashed out by
citizens associations throughout the
city and by the Federation of Citizens
Associations.
Judge Webb. enlarging on ques-
ton raised previously for discussion
by the association. read a paper illus
trating the results of a research made
by him into the subject Of citizenship
ot residents OF the Capital city. He
said the term citizen of the District
of Columbia" occurs in two places.
1t occurs in citizens association.
where he said it is used in a vague
way. practically meaning a resident
of the District. and in the District
code. There are two ways by which
its exact meaning can be determined.
Judge Webb said. one being by de-
cision of court and the other by an
act of Congress.
There are two kinds of citizenship
in this country citizen of the
United States and citizen of
state" said Judge Webb The citi-
zens of the different states are also
citizens of the United States and en-
IN
frage and bringing suits in the fed
erai courts, both of which are denied
residents of the District of Columbia.
II would appear. therefore. that IN
more ways than one these residents
of the District of Columbia are not
citizens of the United States and are
hardly entitled to be called such
Come Here knowing ConditiOns.
This comes from the fact that by
the terms of the Constitution of the
United States Congress was given ex-
elusive jurisdiction over the terri
tory now constituting the District of
Columbia, and by the same instru-
confined to the different states. Now
as then no one has a right to COM
plain because of being denied the
privilege of suffrage. This condition
of things has always existed in the
District since it was first set aside
for the exclusive jurisdiction Of Con-
gress. and any one coming here 70
reside must have done SO with knowi-
edge of the fact and acquiesence IN
"Recently there has been an ever in
creasing demand for suffrage in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. which the unfortunate
tendency Of some members OF Congress
to treat the District as disobedient
child, needing constant discipline. mas
helped to accentuate. In what direc-
there seems to be some doubt. With
this. however. am not at present con-
cerned. My inquiry is simply directed
toward a preliminary investigation and
determination as to whom the different
associations think this proposed privi-
lese should be accorded or in other
words. who is a citizen Of the District
Of Columbia
The association adopted a resolution
by Judge Webb urging other associations
and the federation to take up and dis
cuss the question.
Capt. Doyle ladersed.
On motion Of DR.. NJ. F. Finley. the
organization went on record in favor Of
appointment Of Capt. Robert E. Doyle
of the third precinct as major and
superintendent of police DR.. Finley
eulogixed the work Of Capt Doyle and
said he had always proven himself q
very efficient officer and q thorough gen
tleman.
Col Robert N. Harper. in the princi-
touched on many subjects Of local i'm
port Referring to the public school sit
latiOn. Col. Harper said 1t was his be-
lief that any new superintendent Of
schools should be q Washington man,
conversant with conditions here. He
way and Electric Company and the
Potomac Electric Power Company could
be Joined and other alleged inequalities
be adjusted. there would come about a
speedy merger Of the two traction COM
panies in the District which would mean
much to the street car travelling public.
Col Harper told the association plans
are now being considered for building a
municipal cold storage plant to handle
all the penshable products now stored in
Ice at markets throughout the CITY, He
said q saving Of 81, ,000. 900 a year would
be enected in truckage alone by the
building OF such a plant.
Permanent Victory Arch.
4 permanent victory memorial arch,
In which would be stored war records
and which would be commemorative Of
the soldiers Of the District Of Columbia.
as well as the bravery of all United
States soldiers. was advocated by Col.
Harper. He said the District sent as
many men to the front as many states.
oversubscribed its quota in the great
public loans and in many other ways
demonstrated its patriotism. He said he
thought the half-and-haH plan of financ-
ing the District would be continued and
that as soon the question of suffrage
in the District is formally presented the
residents of the District will get the
vote. He said, however, the local gov
eminent of the Distrist should not be
changed.
Star chamber sessions of the board
Of educatioA were scored in a tentative
resolution presented to the board of
managers Of the association by ]. B.
Lyon.