Evening star., 1923-01-17
STATUS OF STATES
DEMANDED FOR D. c.
NHEAR|NG ON VOTE
Reed Bill for Delegate in
Congress Urged as Step
Only Toward Citizenship.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE
DESIRED UNANIMOUSLY
Amendment Giving Franchise Ask
ed by Representative Speakers.
Divide on Reed Measure.

Emphatic declaration that the res
idents of the National Capital are
virtually unanimous in desiring the
voting representation in Congress err.
joyed by residents of the states and
that the proposed constitutional
amendment to effect this enfranchise-
ment is the best method of securing
such rights was made by virtually
every speaker today at hearing be-
fore the House District committee.
The primary purpose Of the hear
ing was on the Reed bill for a Dis
trict delegate in Congress. Ques-
toned by members of the committee.
all of those who spoke in favor of
this legislation said that II was de-
sired merely as a step toward secur-
ing full exercise of citizenship
through a constitutional amendment.
as proposed in legislation now pend
Ing before Congress. Representative
Ralph Gilbert of Kentucky, a member
of the committee, pointed out that
the real question under discussion is
that the people of the District are
complaining because they are dis
criminated against and a constitu-
tional change is necessary to obviate
this. not only. to give them their
voting rights. but to give the people
of the District access to the federal
courts. He quoted former Chief JUS
tice Marshall to this effect.
Gilbert Favors District.
You would be getting nowhere to
adopt this legislation" said Mr.. Gill
bert He expressed himself as not
opposed to the people of the District.
but as with them. He said he has no
antagonism toward the District, but
rather desires to work as a member
of the committee to make 1t the best
and most beautiful city In the world.
Representative Gilbert also called
the attention of the committee to the
fact that If they favored the principle
of the bill under discussion. many
provisions will have TO be changed
He pointed out also that the District
had attempted this same system
many years ago and had abandoned
1t.
Alexander NJ. Bremen, senior vice
commander of the District of Colum-
bia department, American Legion,
presented a resolution, adopted by
the local division of the legion. de-
for the residents of the District.
Col. Winfield Jones said that there
is a unanimous demand among ex-
service men for some sort OF repre-
sentation for the District in Congress.
Reed Bill Step.
Edgar Wallace, chairman of the
legislative committee of the American
Federation of Labor, offered a resolu-
ton adopted by the national conven-
ton of the Federation OF Labor.
which had been offered by Milton
Snellings of the Central Labor Union.
In reply to questions by members OF
the committee he said that the Amer
lean Federation of Labor was urging
the passage of the Reed bill merely
as a step in advance of the present
condition. and argued that the citizens
of the District must ultimately be
represented by a vote and voice in
the states enjoy.
Chairman Focht and Representatives
Gilbert of Kentucky and Sproul of
Illinois. voiced their opposition to the
Wisconsin, argued for a delay in the
matter saying that there were some
features of the bill which he would
want to have changed. Representa-
tives BIanton of Texas and Hammer
of North Carolina, both democrats,
faVorably upon the Reed bill.
Chairman Focht was persistent in
calling upon all speakers to testify
whether the delegate bill passed
would create conflict of authority
with the District of Columbia Com
missioners.
Citizens Body Hits Bill.
Evan H. Tucker. 720 A street north
east, president of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association,
said that his association has Off
cially gone on record as opposing the
Reed bill absolutely, unalterably.
unanimously" He said it would
create a worse condition than now
exists.
1.-THE people of the District almost
unanimously are in favor of real
representation in the House and in
the Senate. There is no difference of
opinion on that, but there is a de-
cided difference of opinion on the
District delegate
In reply to questions of the COM
mittee Mr.. Tucker said that there are
six states that have fewer people
than are now resident in the District,
yet they have two senators to speak
for them.
BIanton Opposed.
''The $4,000 people in the District
should have some representation and
voice in their government" he said.
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