Evening star., 1923-04-17

without representation than in the
days OF the colonies.
Sees Suffrage Soon.
Il am firmly of the belief that be-
fore many years elapSe We Will be
given the rights which are fully guar
anteed by the Constitution. of equal
ity with the citizens of other states.
By this I mean that they shall have
the right to vote for electors for Pres
ident and Vice President and that we
shall have representation in the SEN
ate and House elected by our people.
II am fully aware of the fact that
many of our citizens, particularly
those who have passed the meridian
of life, and have come to make this
city a future home. are entirely sat
They little realize, however. that the
improvements constantly going on
in this city are the result of most
strenuous efforts on the part of its
citizens. 1t was because Of lack OF
representation an1 the power to
secure the attention to which the city
Is entitled that the Washington
Board of Trade. for illustration. was
organized more than thirty years ago.
The earnest efforts of that organiza-
tion and dts committees are responsible
for your Rock Creek Park. your Po-
tcinac Park. the extension of many OF
your streets and boulevards and only
very recently, with the cooperation
OF other bodies, for a finding by
Joint committee of Congress that the
federal government is indebted to the
District in the sum of nearly $5,00O,-
00O
Need Representative.
us there any one in the halls Of
Congress to whom the citizens or any
part of the community of this District
can. as a matter of right. demand
that any particular relief or improve
nent be extended the District? Is
there any one to stand upon the floors
Of Congress when the city and its
people are being attacked to defend
it's rights? 1t was bad enough when
this city was struggling village.
but now that 1t has become great
metropolis, with interests demanding
consideration and attention. 1t Is in
dispensably necessary that we have
some one with power to speak Ill the
halls of Congress.
"A delegate may prove an orna-
without the right to vote. 1t Is like
the man who is willing to shout his
complaints and urge his grievances
from the houstopS, but when called
upon to back them with his finances
he becomes silent
Sees No Opposition.
"Is there any sound and reason
opposition? BY education we GER
tainly are as well qualified as any
people In this great land. Indeed.
statistics show that we have as high,
! II not higher, percentage of educated
people than In most OF the states.
our population? If so, then I say
that. according to the census of 1910.
we have larger population than
any one Of six states of the Union.
Ny, To-
seven states. Taxation without rep
| resentation will always be a sore
spot with ths people Of the District
! of Columbia.
Are, We not sufficiently loyal to
the federal government to be en-
| titled to representation or to vote
| for electors of President and Vice
President? Are we less loyal than
| the alien who has taken out his first
papers and before finally naturaIiz-
to vote for: members OF the legis-
lature? Is there a better criterion
of loyalty than evidenced by the
willingness Of our people to offer up
, war? 1 feel proud Of the showing
| made by this city during the period
OF the war when the government
needed money.
Pay Heavy Taxes.
do you people Of the District pay
taxes or do you live in that happy
realm of peace and quietude where
the tax bills do not regularly find
! themselves in your mail. as would
seem to be the belief of some In this
country? Are you undertaxed or are
you paying fairly upon your invest
N ents in the city? You are, of course,
fully aware that the federal govern
ment is maintained by certain federal
taxes, such as income, customs, ex-
cess, internal revenue and the like.