Evening star., 1921-11-19

the Jones resolution providing for
E submission to the states of a consti-
tutional amendment giving the Dis
trict of Columbia representation in
Congress and the right, to vote for
presidential electors were heard by
the Senate District committee yester-
day. No speaker against suffrage
here was heard at the session yes
terday.
Paul f. Lesh, member Of the
brief committee of the joint citizens
committee. and chairman of the suf-
frage group OF the City Club. deliv-
cred an argument in favor of the
Jones measure in behalf of the suf-
frage group of the City Club.
Edwin C. Brandenburg. chairman
of the committee on brief Of the
joint citizens committee, also spoke
speak in favor Of representation. but
deferred his argument until the next
meeting of the committee. which
Senator Ball announced will be held
Monday afternoon.
Estimates 10000 Voters.
Former Representative Lloyd, also
of the joint citizens committee. pre-
sented to the committee statement
supplementing his remarks earlier
in the week. HeSsaid that he believed
that fully 10000 of the government
employees had lost their votes in their
was no doubt that there were in the
District fully 10000 legal voters.
who would cast their votes if Con-
gress would allow it.
Mr.. Lesh told the committee that
the suffrage group of the City Club
vas entirely in favor of the Jones
resolution, and gave to the committee
hgures on a post card campaign insti-
suted by the group among its men,
tiers.
He pointed out that it was unfair
Tor any one to say that because IN
che 70s men were elected who did
not do credit to the city the same
situation would prevail now. It is
unfair to say that the citizens of the
District are not qualified now as the
people in the states are qualified to
eote for President If any speaker
n the opposition takes the stand that
because of the unfortunate situation
in the early days of the city that it
is better to live under well-gov-
erned despotism than a democracy.
Mr.. Lesh said. he took fiat issue with
him.
Senator Ball "Open-Minded."
Senator Ball interjected at this
point that his mind was open on the
. whole matter. He said he didn't think
that the conditions were the same
that the District is governed directly
by the body in which the District repre-
sentatives would sit. Congress. he point
ID out, does not govern the internal af-
'airs of the states. but does in the Dis
'rict. Such a situation, he said further,
makes distinction that should be taken
into consideration.
That was only an argument in favor
II the proposal Mr.. Lesh replied. If
the community is governed by Con-
rl tn@
in that body.
Following along this line of ques-
tioning. Senator Ball said that the
District might send to the Senate two
men. one of whom might become
Hartman of the District committee.
He would represent not more than
lalf the people. He might be elected
~ q particular interest. he continued.
because Washington is not business
c:ity. The only business interest here
s the real estate business. For in
stance, a real estate man might be
elected who might run the affairs Of
he District to the detriment of the
whole people of the District.
Dixagrees with Senator.
"Your statement" Mr. Lesh replied
that Washington is not trading or a
farming community is accurate. but
10 not follow you in your conclusion.
I'M confident that the interests of all of
he people of the District of Columbia
would be as safe in the hands of SEN
,tor elected here as they would be in
The hands Of any senator from else
where. If any senator elected from the
District were TO bctray his trust, he
could be removed by the people. The
fear is just as potent elsewhere"
Senator Ball said that the commission
form of government had been found
best for many cities where it was being
adopted. The only difference is that the
Commissioners here are appointed by
he President. He expressed the belief
hat you certainly ought to have the
light to vote for President and Vice
President
Then" Mr.. Lesh replied, Il only need
take the senator one step further and
think we will be in entire accord. AS
ar as the suffrage group is concerned
We accept control by the nation. All that
We ask is that we be accepted as part
+ the nation. The fact remains that the
District of Columbia Is the only place in
ontinental United States that does not
anticipate in the government of the ma
ion."
ID. c. q Political Society.
Answering the charge Of the oppo-
ition that the District was nothing
moro than a military reservation, he
cad into the record numerous decisions
Il the United States Supreme Court that
ne DlbtTlCt as d pOAliCdI SOClcly, anu
not a military reservation He pointed
ut also that 1t was the intention Of
;eorge Washington to make it a COM
nercial community.
Coming to the charge that because Of
he large colored population the vote
;hould not be given here, Mr.. Lesh said:
when persons argue against suffrage
,ere because Of the large colored popu-
alton, take it that they are not re-
:erring to the intelligent colored popu-
alton, but to the lamentable fact that
here are some ignorant. needless and
'istless. 1t Is that type Of colored popu-
alton to which such an argument must
oe addressed"
He then gave figures to show the
small percentage Of iriteracy among
the colored population here, and the fact
that It was decreasing. The school at
= ~ceeds that Of twenty-eight other states.
he said.
Senator King asked Mr.. Lesh if he
didn't think that the government should
have some place where 1t should exer-
else full control.
Asks Constitutional Amendment.
We agree with you," said Mr.. Lesh.
We are here advocating the submis-
sion to the states Of q constitutional
amendment for representatives in the
House and one or two senators as
Congress may allow. as well as the
right to vote for presidential elec-
You want statehood" said Senator
mot At ALL" Mr.. hesh replied. I'VE
are not asking for autonomy at all.
but we ask to be made a part Of the
nation"
Then you are not satisfied as a
territory" Senator King asked
Certainly not" replied Mr.. Lesh,