Evening star., 1921-01-15

self f-government-thee ought to ac,
cept with it all the bordens of local
self-eoyeImentt;; ought hey ef not not? Dis
trict are willing to bear any burden
that a. free participation IN the ma
tional government would en- tai.
Lesh Answers Question.
The second speaker OF the nM'rning
Paul E. Lesh. represented the suf-
frage group of the City Club. He
said that referendum on the proposal
to give the District national relA-e-
sentation was held in the club and
that only seventeen out of 1900 mena
bers opposed the proposition.
Answering an inquiry directed by
member Of the judiciary committee to
the joint committee at a previous hear
ing as to why suffrage proponents did
not seek first to get local suffrage be-
fore applying for national representation,
Mr.. Lesh stated that this would be prac-
tically impossible in view of the fact
involved in the right Of Congress to pass
laws for the District, and the right of
the President to make appointments for
local public Offices. Mr.. Lesh said he
did not believe Congress would desire to
give up its legislative prerogatives. or
that the President would wish to relin-
quish his appointive privileges, and,
therefore, the best way to oppose the
cause of national representation would
be to postpone it by urging that the
local end Of the problem be tackled first
Only Seek Citizenship.
Following Mr.. Lesh, Washington
Topham, who appeared for the Asso-
citation of Oldest Inha bitants, directed
the attention of the legislators to the
fact that some of the founders of his
organization knew George Washing
ton and men of that day. He said that
the Oldest Inhabitants Association is
patriotic organization and that it's
members, who have lived through an
extended period in the country's de-
velopment. practically are a unit in
desiring voice for the District in
Congress. and in the electoral college.
and the right to sue and be sued in
the federal courts.
I'VE covet the privilege Of citizen
ship" said Mr. Topham.
President Selden NJ. Ely of the Mon
day Evening Club filed a brief for
representation. He said the club is
composed of more than 500 members.
The North Capitol and lexington
Citizens Association, for which Mr..
Ely also appeared, unanimously de-
sires national representation for the
District. he said.
No Doubt, Says Yates.
At this point in the proceedings
Representative Yates of the judiciary
no doubt in his mind that a majority
of the people of the District desire
the passage of the House joint reSo-
luton proposing constitutional
amendment enfranchisins the people
OF Washington.
committee. Winfield Jones stated that
this organization and its affiliated
bodies represents practically 2O0.G00
persons in the District. The commit
tee, he said. is in favor OF the reso-
luton for national representation or
any other measure that will eafran-
chise the people of the District and
give them their rights as american
citizens.
The Housekeepers' Alliance, for
which Mrs. Mary Wright Johnston ap-
peared, comprises $50 members. she
said, and unQualifiedly indorses suf-
frage for the District.
I'VE want the right Of self-protec-
ton through use of the ballot" she
said.
J. Walter Mitchell. who appeared for
the Army and Navy Union and the
Civic Betterment Association. said:
I'VE feel we should have national
representation: also that we should
govern our local affairs
Clayton Closely Questioned.
Mr.. Clayton. representing the CO.
lumbia Heights Citizens Association,
was questioned more specifically
about the practical problems involved
in national representation than was
any of the witnesses heard by the
committee.
Representative Summers told Mr.
Clayton he did not think any member
Of the committee denied the abstract
right of Washingtonians to partici-
pate in their government, but that
what members wanted was an outline
Of practical suggestions that would
facilitate the solving of the problem
as to how the rights Of American citi-
zenship could be most effectively and
efficiently bestowed upon the citizens
of the District.
Voicing opposition to the proposed
amendment G. w. Ayers
announced that he represented only
himself and that he proposed to nut
some pep" into the hearing He
thereupon proceeded to characterize
District citizens as being inexperi-
enced in political affairs and not edu-
Gated up to the point where they could
be expected to make a success of the
ballot Bthically. he said, Washing
tonians should have the right to vote.
His conclusisns were that the problem
is one Of government expediency and
efaciency, and that the best interests
OF not only the District. but the ma
tion at large. will be served il no |.