Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-11-22
en- volunteered or how much they

- Z : -. = - =
men volunteered or how much they
gave.
The question of tho Increase in
population does not enter into 1t, she
said. Maybe, he continued. BUSINESS
will expand SO greatly that 1t will
reach out to the District line, and
added:
Then all of you fellows can get
out into Maryland"
The matter of voteless delegates for
the possessions was not representa-
ton, he said, but merely a matter of
e9pediency. No one seems to be suf-
fering here because of the lack of
the ballot, he declared.
unless some one can show me q
peter form of government than the
District now has, l am not willing to
change," he remarked.
Praises Tax Plan.
He said he thought the people were
very fortunate in living here, as the
federal government meas a part of
tne expenses. People, 1Ae believed,
would not want suffrage here. II thew
taxes. '-AeAA
One side of those In favor of SUI
rage mere wants modified form Of
government and the other wants
local control, he continued, and each
Claims TO represent 80 per cent of
Ine people. He said he did not be-
neVe any one can assume to speak
ior the great majority. He attacked
the reported vote on suffrage at a
local club, claiming that sixty-five
people voted on the question, and it
was given out as the unanimous vote
OF the club, which, he said, had fully
l,2OO members.
paul e. Lesh of the citizens COM
mittee asked him if he knew the usual
attendance at such meetings, to which
ne replied in the negative.
~ seems to me-" continued Mr.,
ayers. "a more practical way that
n the people come to Congress
through the voice of the citizens as
soclations they would get as much as
they are entitled to. Congressman
40 not wear horns. They are elected
70 represent US as well as any one
sise. me people can get as much
from them as from any local repre-
sentatives. They get what they come
aiter on the basis of whether it is
right or wrong, and that is all that
is necessary.s
MI. Ayers then began reading a num-
per or clippings from newspapers of
election scandals in various parts of the
country recently, in REPUTATION Of the
argument that conditions that prevailed
Rail- Halts Argument.
of argument -
Your argument is one against all
popular. forms Of government, it seems
10 me, said Senator Ball. at is not
pertinent to this question at all. This
committee Is not considering the ques-
llon as TO whether the present form of
popular government is wise. think you
are taking unnecessary time in your
argument. There is no question but
what your argument is against all popu-
laf forms OF republican government. I
want to give you all the time possible,
are not pertinent here. All have ad-
united that the present form of govern
ment In the District is good, and they
40 not recommend change in the local
form OF government"
Mr. Ayers said that he was against
Al a tGlhs OF popular government in the
district, but Senator Ball insisted that
ne was following line of argument
against all popular forms of government
and insisted that he desist.
The speaker then launched into a
review of conditions here in the
seventies. when. he said, thugs were
imported from Baltimore to vote and
the politicians placed cannon in the
streets.
Here Aaron Bradshaw, a lifelong
resident. arose from his seat among
the spectators, saying:
Il have lived here for a great many
years, but the speaker has given news
TO me and news to all old residents OF
the District"
Suggests Radical Treatment.
Mr.. Ayers then suggested to the
committee an amendment to the
measures providing for suffrage
which would provide a penalty of one
year at hard labor for any one who
failed to vote who could not show a
good reason for not doing SO.
IN see whether you gentlemen
really want suffrage" he remarked,
facing those in favor of suffrage.
states do not provide a penalty
like that" Senator Ball said.
Every state has a qualification for
voting" insisted Ayers. The idea is
not new with me. 1t has been up for
ten years"
But no such penalty" said Senator
Bali. If l were going to advocate
any penalty for voting 1 would make
that penalty for not voting at the
primaries. If you can get the parties
to vote you can get responsible men.
But under the present system a few
control at the primaries
with their organizations which they
set up before elections. He said he
was personally opposed to CONNIE
primaries for that reason"
He did favor conventions the dele
gates of which were elected by the
people, he said. He had found out
that by this method the best men
were obtained for offices.
Rev. j. Milton Waldron, pastor of
the Shiloh Baptist Church, speaking
for colored organizations, favored the
Jones resolution and the Capper bill.
Urges Jones and Capper Bills.
II have been instructed by these
organizations" said Rev. waldron,
ito assure you that they favor the
granting by Congress of the fran
chise and self-government to the
people in the District of Columbia.
These organizations feel that the
white and colored citizens of the Dis
trict are loyal Americans and have
always been true to our national
government and have borne more
than their share of the burdens of
the nation. both in peace and in war.
The organizations I represent are
in favor of both the Jones and capper
bills. They regard the two bills as
being Complementary the one to the
other, and feel that they ask for the
people of the District of Columbia
nothing more than what is just and
right. They believe, further. that
the Jones and the Capper bills ask
for nothing more than the members
of Congress- themselves would ask
IL they lived in the District Of Co