Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-11

directed by them as to the prob
sought.
| the National Capital are asking is
;nat they snail nave representation
IN the branch of government which
makes the laws under which they
live. and that anything less than that
is un-American
Example of Despotism.
Here is the only example on the
western hemisphere Of complete des-
potism." he said. I am not saying
crlticising the personnel of the Dis
trict Commissioners. I am pointing
out that America is supposed to have
here democratic form of govern
ment. and the fact is that, as far as
the District is concerned, We do not
have it. but in reality despotic
form of government. It makes no
difference that the control is benefi-
cent. it is a despotism just the same"
Representative Burroughs said that
the practical unanimity in support OF
his resolution among the citizens OF
the District was shown by the gath
ering of great civic. professional
and commercial organizations sup
porting the plea for suffrage. When
Representative Dyer proposed that a
referendum should be taken, Mr. Bur-
rOughS said:
3
District opposing the proposal for ma
uonal representation. We have here
practically every organization in the
District ready to testify in favor of
the resolution. and know of no city
throughout the country that is better
organised for civic purposes. If there
Is any organized opposition suppose
1t will appear. There has been no ef-
fort to suppress it. Hut I do know
that there is very, very strong or
ganized support from many quarters.
which makes Inc confident that the
wishes of the people are thus ex-
pressed without a referendum vote.
Asks What District Wants.
Mr.. Mcfarland explained to the
committee the brief submitted on be-
half of Washington civic organixa tons
in their fight for representation. He
called attention to the fact that the
organizations represented in the Joint
citizens committee include the Board
OF Trade, with 2.lU0 members; the
Chamber of Commerce. with 1,1oo
members; the Federation of Citizens
Associations, representing forty-one
sectional civic bodies: the Central
Labor Union, representing ninety local
unions; the Merchants and Manufac-
fturers Association and many other or
sanizations.
we appear here as represent atives
Of the citizens joint committee, which
includes representatives of all i'm
portant civic organizations in the
National Capital" said Mr.. Macfar-
land. No organization is opposing
this resolution. as 1 know Of What
We seek is that we shall have repre-
sentation in body that legislates for
us and taxes U.S."
At this point Representative Dyer
injected an observation to the effect
that if Congress once knew what the
District wants in matter of suffrage it
would not be slow in granting it.
We are here today to tell you what
we want" said Mr.. Macfarland.
Represent Majority Of Opinion.
Would you say that the organiza-
tions which have voted in favor OF
the resolution include a majority of
the people of the District" asked
Representative Dyer. No" was tha
reply from Mr.. Macfarland. but they
represent majority Of opinion. This
IS one question that we are united
on"
What are you agreed upon as de-
string besides the representation
urged in the Senate and House?' in
quired Representative Dyer.
"A voice in the electoral college :"
replied Mr.. Macfarland,
representative Dyer-"Is that allo"
Mr.. Macfarland-'"That is all. with
the exception that we want access to
i the federal courts" ~
Il am from Missouri resnondad
Keptesentative Ke epts, m Dyer. land merely
VA, wan'e1 10 ne shown. I am glad to know
tnat the people of the District are fully
agreed on the principles advocated by
your committee. If they are On, IN
favor OF giving it to them"
Mr. Macfarland continued:
| nave no desire to disturb in the
Z
OF the District now exercised bv Con.
sress. We know the reason for this
controi and that it is Indispensable.
MT. Gard Asks Questions.
AT this point Representative Gard
Oh ONO instituted line of question
ing as to the exact political stains
the District would have IL the nro-
posed constitutional amendment Is
adopted. He indicated doubt concern
ing whether such legislation wouId
not give to the District a poiitica1
Status. status over and above that specifically
| sought 10 De acquired in the resoiu.
ton. In this connection Mr.. Gard
| quoted from the language OF the io;n,
resolution as follows: '''"'
Congress shall have power to .d
init to the status of citizens Of 2
constituting the seat of the Rovern-
ment of the United States" etc
He suggested that this Ianpua,.
might confer upon the District t6e
status of statehood without imnos.
ing any Of the duties or oblie atoms
| of statehood
| Mr.. mcfarland declared that this
was not the purpose of the legislation
and that the joint resolution limited
the extent OF which the status To
which the citizenship would be CON
! ferred.
Tells What Ia Desired.
What we desire said Mr. Macfar.
land. lis a voice with power in the
exercise by Congress of exclusive leg.
islation for the District: a voice IL
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