Evening star., 1926-12-15

Dickman, representing Central Labor
Union, told the committee that local
organized labor was in favor of ma
tional representation. He presented
his appeal for voice in the National
Government by the people of the Dis
trict briefly and concisely.
Mrs. Albert Fl. Putney, president of
the League of Women Voters of the
District of Columbia, appeared before
the committee to reiterate for them
the stand taken by that organization
through resolutions seeking national
representation. She spoke briefly
also.
FavOrs Local Change.
The remaining hour and half Of
the meeting was consumed by Grover
w. Ayres, speaking as a resident of
Washington, as a witness.
He produced three or four folders
full Of pamphlets, which he said he
had been many years in collecting,
all bearing upon the District of Co
lumbia or upon other nations capital
cities.
He pronounced himself in favor of
a change of local government to a one
man rule, and stated that no suffrage
proposition had yet been presented
which he favored.
Supporting the abolition of a COM
mission form of government, he
quoted former President Taft's state
ment at Board of Trade dinner, in
1903, in which the then President and
present Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court declared him
self of open mind as to govern
mental forms for the District, but re-
ferred to his predecessor, President
Roosevelt $, belief in the efficacy of a
one-man government for the District
of Columbia.
Mr.. AyreS during the course of his
testimony cited letters dated back as
far as November 81, 1899, regarding
the progress Of the work on THE
Presidents House" and THE House
of Congress" before the seat of Gov
ernment actually moved to this city.
At the request of Chairman Gibson,
Mr.. Ayres showed that in 1901 three
commissioners were appointed, direct.
ly responsible to the President, to ar
range the accommodations for the
Government in Washington. In 1901,
he averred. the legal jurisdiction of
the Capital City was taken over by the
Federal GoverAN+ent, and in 1902 the
City of Washington was incorporated.
At this point, Mr.. Ayres stated, the
people of the District until 1902 had a
right to vote for the electors of the
| President.
Mr. Topham disagreed with him. J
"They never did," he said.
Possibly there is an error" Mr.
Ayres replied, but / am positive that
at least they did until 1S00'
Never" said Mr.. Topham.
Representative Houston of Della
ware, who sat through the hearing
as well as Representative Hammer OF
| North Carolina, explained that such
was possible if the residents of the
site of the Federal area exercised their
| franchise as residents of Maryland
and Virginia.
In 1902, Mr.. Ayres then resumed
there were three wards in Washing
| ton, with mayor and two houses ol
| common council, which continued tt
| be the general form of government
with minor variations, until 1871
| During this period, he said, there was
a good government, but debts piled up
Mr.. Topham again interjected tc
explain that the debts of the city in
creased mainly after the Civil War
with which Mr.. Ayres agreed, anC
We're brought about by the plan tc
improve and beautify the city at great
| expense.
Debts Rose to $22,0O0,00O
Mr.. Hammer also stated that recon
struction days were hard days fol
more parts OF the country than one.
From 1871 until 1874 a territorial
form Of government existed for the
| District of Columbia, during which
time the debts rose to the sum oi
$22 900, 900. AT this juncture the Fed
eral Government took over the indebt
edness OF the city, he said, and 1t took
some $53,000,000 to liquidate over 8
period of years the liabilities of the
District.
Questioned by Chairman Gibson, the
witness stated that the present form
of government is better than the for
mer forms were, and he was proddet
into an admission that this city TO-DAY
occupies a unique position amont
/ municipalities Of more than 10000
population, in that it is debt free
Have you ever seen the improve
ments in any city such as have beer
seen in Washington in the last 2!
years." the witness was asked by Mr.
Gibson.
Mr.. Ayres cited Los Angeles, Kan
sas City, Minneapolis and New Yorl
| as instances of great municipal i'm
provement.
In conclusion, he said that his min,
: was open as to suffrage for the Dis
trict. but that he felt that continues
Federal control of the District was
, necessity.
} ! The committee adjourned until Fr
day night.