Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-12
DISTRICT IS UNITED
|NAPPEALFORVOTE,
CONGRESS IS TOLD
Number of Civic 0rganiza-
tions Represented Testifles
to Citizens Solidarity.
TWO REMEDIES OFFERED
TO HOUSE COMMITTEE
Retrocession to Maryland OF
Action by Constitutional Amend
ments Methods Suggested.

!nittcc yesterday as 10 "netHer IL
had been determined how many citi-
zens of the District Of Columbia are
in favor of the resolution for con-
stitutional amendment granting the
District national representation, an
emphatic answer was given by the
large number of civic business and
professional organizations which ap-
peared before the committee today in
support of the amendment.
Among the organizations represent
ed by authorized delegates are the
Board of Trade, by Z. c. Branden-
burg: Chamber OF Commerce, by
chaplin Brown: Federation of Citizens
Associations, by Jesse c. Suter; Cen
fral Labor Union; Merchants and
Manufacturers. by Charles j. Co
lumbus: the Monday Evening Club !:
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants.
by Washington Topham; Women's
City Club. Twentieth Century Club,
Anthony League, National American
Wornen's Suffrage Association, District
of Columbia Congress of Mothers. Par
ent-Teacher Association and the Wash
ington section of the Progressive Edu-
cational Association.
The committee adjourned until Sat
urday morning, at which time the ad-
vocateS of national representation ex-
pect to conclude their testimony.
1t developed early at today's hearing
that the committee would not be able
to finish by the hour set for adjourn
ment. and while suggestion was made
by Representative Dyer of Missouri
that it might be we'll to continue the
inquiry until the next session of Con-
greSS, an agreement was reached, on
suggestion of Chairman Volstead, that
opponents to the proposed Constitu-
tional Amendment also will be given a
chance to express their views.
In answering another question
raised by several members of the COM
mittee. why the District residents did
not seek control of their local govern
ment before asking place in the ma
tional Congress, Theodore w. Noyes.
chairman harm, ct thsss3int sstizsns' com
upon which they are united. and which
IAN be put into effect without disturb
ing the exclusive legislative author
ity over the federal city given Ia Con-
Sress in the Constitution.
Gitisens Are United.
Mr.. Noyes laid stress on the fact
that, though residents of the District
may differ in regard to the question
OF local self-government, they are all
united in supporting the plea for
Americanization through participation
in the national legislative body
Ine increasing interest Of members of
the House in the plea of District resi-
dents for national representation was
shown today by a much larger attend
ance Of members of the judiciary COM
nittee. who are hearing the testimony.
and Of other members Of Congress.
Resuming his testimony continued
from yesterday. Mr.. Noyes said:
We point out an evil to be cured.
we suggest its cause and we propose
d remedy.
THE evil to be cured is denial of
participation in their national govern
ment to $4,000 Americans who are ma
jional taxpayers and potential soldiers
tenance by the great representative re-
public OF on-representAtive government
at It's Capital under its own exclusive
control; imposition upon these 437 600
Americans of every national burden la
upon Americans of the states, and re-
fusal 10 give them corresponding vital
privileges and powers that characterize
government of the people, by the people
and for the people segregation of Dis
trict residents, as defective and deIin-
quent Americans on the same plan as
aliens in representation in Congress and
the electoral college, and on a lower
footing than aliens as suitors in the
courts Of the United States; an injus-
lice, slur and an injury to the Capital
community and to the nation the shame
of un-Americanism at is heart and of
.mpotency to cure this evil"
Names Two RemedIes.
The causes of the evil he described
as follows:
The constitutional provisions Civ
ing the nation. through Congress,
power of exclusive legislation in the
seat of government, and failure of
the Constitution TO make provision
for the future political status of resi-
dents of the seat of government. The
nations power of exclusive legisla
zion in the capital prevents the Dis
trict from securing national repre-
septation through the exercise of this
power of Congress to admit new
states to the union"
The remedy suggested by Mr.. Noyes
wax:
Il. Either by constitutional amend
ment repeal the ten-mile- square pro
vision and destroy the nations pow
er Of exclusive legislation in respect
TO the capital. and admit the Dis.
trict of Columbia to the Union as q
state. or retrocede il to Maryland
or t2). retain the ten-miie square
provision of the Copstitution and ma
tional power of exclusive Legislation
tutional amendments and supplement.
tary legislation put the residents OF
the District upon the same footing
as citizens OF a state for the purpost
Of national representation and ir
standing as suitorS in United State.
courts. but withhold from them thos,
attributes and powers of state citizen
ship which are consistent with ma.
tional control of the seat of govern.
Inent.
Representative Gard Of Ohio inter.
rupted Mr.. Noyes to ask what els.
would be withheld. Mr.. Noyes re.
piled all that the sovereign state.
enjoy, except representation in Con
sIrss, in the electoral college and 4.
suitors in United States courta
Mr.. Eoyes explained that the pend
ing constitutional amendment adopt
I'd the second alternative remedy. I
leaves untouched national control o
The seat of government and empow..l-
Congress (without making the Dis
trict full-fedged state) to admit it
residents to the states of civizen
Gress and the electoral college. ant
as suitors in the United States/courts
Definition Ii Exsentiat.
The Constitution defines rne statu
a., citizens OF state: the status o
"'.izens of territory or incipien
late is reasonably we'll settled" sal,
Er. Noyes The reSyresentatiy,
status of the citizen or reyident OF tn.
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