The Washington times., 1921-11-10
Shall We Refuse OppOr-
tunity For Suffrage?
By BILL PRIC K.

By BILL PRICE.
The Capper bill before the Senate provides for the
electon of delegates to the House OF Representatives
from the District of Columbia, Commissioners OF the
District Public Utilities Commission Board OF Edu-
cation and for other purposes The bill provides the
methods for holding elections
We have been struggling for years for Consttu-
tiona amendment giving us the same suffrage rights
granted to all other American citizens. We think,
and know just much entitled to Senators and
Representatives half dozen small States the popu-
lation and Importance of which do not compare with
Washington. We will never be fully satisfied until we
do get these rights.
But we must frankly ask ourselves some questions:
Is Congress going to give what we want nowi How
long would it take the forty eight States of the Union
to pass upon the amendment How many years OF
effort would be required to get the necessary number
of States sufficiently interested to ratfy the amend
mentf
Looking at it in a common sense way, do we fully
realize that the goal after appears to be many
years away that there is strong hostility in the Senate
to the admission to that body of two more Senators
from populations far below the large States of the
countryi Isn't it well understood that Senators from
the big States of the country do not wish to have
the two votes of their States offset by votes
resenting small popuationsi
We would not be courageous and true citizens II we
did not fully determine to fight battle for years
until get justice.
But sensible men and women If we refuse tho
opportunity which seems to loom hopefully before us
of obtaining limited suffrage at early date! A
voteless delegate in the House wouldn't amount to
great DEAL but the RIGHT TO ELECT OUR COM
MsSIONERS UTILITIES COMMISSION. and
BOARD OF EDUCATION does mean something. It
would at least be recognition that we are intelligent
enough to conduct local affairs with the coopera-
ton of Congress
Aren't we just little tired of hand picked Com
missioners and other local oficials' Often they
good men, it's true but are they truly responsive to
the wishes of the people of the DISTRICT Is their master
the people or somebody else? Haven't experiences
in the past justified in preferrng to elect own
Commissioners, Utilities Commission and Board OF
Educationi
No .y %ses gnoys. the direct essss Of tho pubic t-
afraid Trust tho citizens Of the District pick
The matter of voteless delegate in the House is
nothing by the side of the greater question of the right
to elect rulers We could afford to do with
out delegate who separate from the Commis
sioners.
What want is spokesman in Congress- elected
by the people, and not picked by politicians others
with to grind.
The proposed law would be Just as strong if it pro-
vided that the delegate to be admitted to the House
should be the chosen by the people chairman
of the Board of Commissioners. There would then
be friction between the Commissioners and the dele
gate. The chairman, as a delegate would have the
privilege of the floor Of the House, would be in posi-
ton to constantly look after the interests of the Dis
trict and press for urgent legislation He would make
friends in the House, and that counts for something
in legislative matters.
There is occasion quarrel over details turn
up at voteless delegate. Let's take WHAT
WE CAN GET AND THEN WORK FOR BROADER
SUFFRAGE. Shall we refuse half loaf now and
continue to cry for the whole loaf which may not
get for many, many yearsf
With Congress NOW in mood to do something for
u.s. let all join to get the very best Having
gotten that, will show Congress that we will sue
cessfully conduct affairs. Later can ask
for and get all that should have.
NJ H. ID