Evening star., 1922-12-12
Americanize the WashingtOnian
The Senate District Committees Argu.
ment for National Representation.

without committing Congress as to
when or how it shall exercise this
power.
Rounding Out Equitably Powers Of
Congress.
Under the power to admit new
states and to regulate territory be-
longing to the United States Con-
gress now has the power to admit
to representation in Congress and
the electoral college the people of
all the territory belonging to the
stituting the seat OF government Of
the United States.
Tho constitutional provision giving
Congress. the power OF exclusive legis-
lation in the seat OF government de-
Drivea Congress of the power to i'd
NIT the seat Of governmental repre-
sentatton In Congress and the cleo
toral college through the statehood
gate, since full statehood for the Dis
trict would destroy the exclusive
bestowed unon Congress by the Con-
stitutIon. The courts have held that
Congress may not even delegate this
constitutional power: much less can
Congress destroy 1t or surrender 1t
completely.
The problem is to find a way to
give the people Of the District the
representation to which they are en-
titled as national Americans in Con-
Rress and the electoral college. with
access to the federal courts. without
depriving Congress Of the exclusive
which the Constitution imposes iIl"l
il Nd which. the courts sav. II may
ri surrende~ 'thnut sp:, ific cnI
s:itutiomal amentinrn,.
HarmonixinE Two Vital American
Principles.
The pending resolution Is. j. Res.
1897 solves this problem by empow-
ering Congress not to admit the Dis
trict to statehood. which would de-
stroy its power of exclusive legtsla-
tion. but to grant to District resi-
dents representation like that Of citi-
Zens Of a state in Congress and tho
electoral college with access to the
federal courts) and no other powers
and attributes of statehood than
those specifically enumerated. This
solution Of the problem harmonizes
two great American principles: First.
that In our representative republic.
subject to limitations and conditions
uniformly applied. all national Amer
leans ought to have the opportunity
TO participate in their national gov
ernmeht. and. second. the principle
laid down by the forefathers as a ma
tional necessity that the nation.
through Congress. should have exclu-
sive control of the nations capital.
NO reason appears why Congress
should no: approve the proposition
to grant itself this new. wholesome
power. logically and equitably round
ing out the existing corresponding
constitutional power which it now
possesses in respect to every foot Of
territory belonging to the United
states except the District constitut-
United States. the District of Co
lumbia.
Congress IL Empowered, Not Directed
Adoption of the constitutional
amendment. while 1t arms Congress
with new power. does not commit
Congress as to when 1t shall exer-
else this power. and the amendment
may thus be favored both by those
who urge immediate exercise Of the
power as soon as the constitutional
amendment is ratified and also by
those who wish to relieve Congress
potency, but desire to postpone exer-
else Of the power until the District is
better fitted, In their opinion, to en-
JOY national representation.
Adoption of the amendment Is thus
! urged % from the viewpoint of
on the ground they are now fitted to
enjoy and to meet the responsibilities
of this right and power. and (e)
solely from the national viewpoint as
q cure of national, inpotency. ire
spectiEe of the time when for the
Districts benefit the new constitu:
tional power shall be exercised.
The advocates Of Senate joint reso-
luton 133 vigorously contend that the
residents Of the District are now en-
literacy. in public spirit, and in loyal
Amertcanism to receive this right and
power, and since they cannot enjoy
II except as the result of constitu-
tional amendment making the exclusive
legislation clause Of the Constitution
consistent with the enjoyment Of this
right and power, the Constitution should
be at once amended as proposed in the
joint resolution, in order that prompt
Justice may be done to the Americans
be quickly amended as proposed. and
| the power granted to Congress should.
| they urge. be exercised at once.
Relieve the shame Of National lm.
potency.
Your committee are convinced that.
irrespective Of the present fitness or
unfitness Of District residents to enjoy
the American right to be granted by
Congress when it exercises its new
constitutional power. this joint. resolu-
tIon should be promptly passed by two
thirds of Congress. and the proposed
constitutional amendment ratified by
three-fourths Of the states, in order
to relieve the nation Of the shame of
impotency to cure. when 1t pleases.
the evil of un-American, totally nom
representative government. at the very
heart Of the nation. the seat of the
national government. Conviction Of
present lack Of fitness of District resi-
dents for national representation. or
despair of such fitness in the near fu-
ture. logically affects only the future
date to be fixed, when Congress shall
wisely y an and ot Justly ,snna Exercise this power
ratification of the amendment ITSELF
Congress should not lack the power
to Amerfcanize the District. no matter
how long it's judgment may impel it to
delay the actual exercise Of this power
when secured
National honor is touched by impo-
tency Of the national government to
grant national representation to any
we'll populated. Intelligent. resourcefui,
American community. Congress should
by constitutional amendment have this
power, for reasons affecting solely the
national prestige and irrespective Of
any immediate obligation to the people
fitness Of the District In population and
resources for national representation is,
1t thus appears. not an Indispensable
prerequisite Of adoption and ratification
Of the proposed amendment, the demon.
stration OF that fitness naturally In
vigorates and strengthens amendment
advocacy.