The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-12
Split LOOMS
OVER DC. VOTE
Arguments on Burroughs Reso-
luton Shows Contest May
Divide Capital Forces.

Fires of opposition to the pro
posed constitutional amendment fol
national representation of the Dis
trict of Columbia in Congress-. a.
opposed to the movement for strict
ly local self government, were
smouldering beneath the surface OF
argument in support of the Bur
roughs resolution today before the
House District Committee.
SPLIT LOOMS IN FACTION.
1t is expected that the hearings
later today will develop two factions
In the District. widely split on the
question as to what form OF self-gov-
ernment Congress should extend.
Adding fuel TO the situation that Is
piling up, is the strong sentiment, ex-
pressed by various members OF the
judiciary committee, in favor of Local
self government as first step toward
representation in Congress. On the
other hand, there is an equally strong
opinion, in the committee. directly
opposed to any act that would take
from Congress the Constitutional
right to legislate for and regulate the
affairs OF the District OF Columbia.
1t Is apparent, as the hearing con-
tinues, that the committee Is not In
clined to make any immediate report
favorable to the Burroughs resolution
which would have to be submitted to
the forty-eight States of the Union
for approval before it can be put into
operation.
Theodore w. Noyes today accepted
the challenge of the members OF the
committee to submit the question OF
suffrage to a referendum of the peo-
pie residing in Washington. He not
only favored such referendum but
he strongly urged that Congress set
the necessary machinery into motion
without delay.
In this connection Mr.. Noyes de-
clared sentiment in the District on
the question OF suffrage could be de-
fermined in various ways He advo-
Gated either a special census or spe-
cial registration.
Mr.. Noyes took the opposite view,
however. to that expressed by Con-
gresham Gard of Ohio, that refer
endum Is necessary to determine the
number of legal voters Of other States
who are residents of the District be-
fore Congress moves to adopt the con-
stitutional amendment. He made it
clear that this was not necessary,
that there was nothing to hinder Con-
gress from reporting the resolution
Immediately.
Opponents Of the Burroughs resolu-
ton to the constitutional amendment
are frank in declaring they will sup
port that resolution IL they find the
cards are stacked against a measure
which would give the people Of the
District the right to legislate their
own affairs for themselves.
They will take the position that
the adoption Of the constitutional
amendment by the forty-eight States
would take so long that 1t will shove
the question Of local self-government
in the background.
Interest in the hearings Of Dis
trict suffrage appeared to be some
what intensified when they were re-
sumed this morning. The eleven
members of the committee. including
Chairman Volstead. attended. The
hearing was in marked contrast to
the interest manifested by the COM
mittee yesterday when a small dele
cation of six members dwindled
gradually to three before the hear
ing closed.
CALLS FEDERATION COUNCIL"
Jesse C. Suter, representing the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations,
which is solidly behind the Bur
roughs resolution. was one of the
principal witnesses this morning. He
told the committee the Federation
was "the Districts unofficial common
council" with a representation OF 49,
600 who comprise the nearest ap-
proach to citizenship in the District.
Suter brought out that the fedora
ton. affiliated with the citizens joint
committee on national representation,
has gone on record repeatedly in sup
port of the proposed constitutional
amendment
"The federation stands firmly COM
mitted to the principles Of a fran
chised privilege for residents of the
District OF Columbia. representation
in Congress, and the Electoral College
on equality with the people Of the
States, and a status before the Su-
preme Court on a par with that OF
other citizens" he declared.
To substantiate his claim that the
people of the District desire repre-
sentation in Congress, he presented
to the committee a national procla-
nation issued by the federation, in
dorsing suffrage.
1--WE do most sincerely urge this
committee to report tho matter
promptly and favorably to the
House." Suter declared. I'VE believe
mission to the state that we take
our case to the people in whose
sense of right and justice we have
an abiding faith"
MOVES OPENS HEARING.
Moves opened the hearing. He pre-
sented an argument in support of the
resolution, contending the right of
the people of the District to repre-.
sentntion in a Congress which legis
lates for them and imposes taxes for
them.
Noyes declares that the effect of the
resolution is not to admit the Dis
trict of Columbia into the Union as
a state, but to give the $4,000 resi-
dents here a new political status.
1t was suggested by various mem
hers of the committee that before
Congress goes further into the aues-
tion OF suffrage, that steps be taken
10 ascertain, the number of people In
the District who are privileged to
- Ia THAR rpspcCtiye States