Evening star., 1926-12-14
Residents Plea Read.

Residents Plea Read.
The plea of the voteless residents
through the citizens joint committee
and the presidents of it's constituent
and cooperating organizations was
then read, which "reaffirms the prin-
ciples previously announced by the
founders of the Republic that
Taxation without representation
is tyranny3 that
Governments derive their just
powers from the consent of the gov
erned:'" and in order that
Government of the people, by the
people. and for the people may be-
come an accomplished fact for all the
people of the United States. respect
fully represent:
THAT nearly one-half million total
ly disfranchised people of the District
of Columbia, who obey national laws,
pay more national taxes than many of
the States; who oversubscribed every
wartime fund, including the Red Cross
and all Liberty bond issues; who sup
piled to the Army and Navy of the
United States nearly $4,000 men in the
World War-a larger number than
any one of the seven of the States
and who are now living under an
anomalous condition in which they
have no voice in the National Govern
ment, are entitled to representation
in Congress and in the Electoral Col
lege, with access to the Federal courts
upon the same terms as those enjoyed
by other citizens of the Republic.
I'VE, therefore, respectfully petition
the adoption of S. J. Res. and II. J.
Res. 20S, proposing in identical terms
a constitutional amendment empow-
ering Congress to grant to residents of
the District of Columbia representa-
tion in House, Senate and electoral
college with the same rights before
the Federal courts as are enjoyed by
the residents of the States"
The list of those signing this pc
tition was given as follows: Theo-
dore w. Noyes, chairman Citizens
Joint Committee on District of Co
lumbia National Representation and
president of the Association of Oldest
Inhabitants; J. Harry Cunningham,
president Board of Trade; M. A.
Leese, president Chamber of Com
merce: Jesse G. Suter, president Fed
GRAFTON of Citizens Associations: Mrs.
Georg> Alfred Kicker, president Dis
trict of Columbia League of Women
Voters; Clarence Cooper, presid snt
Central Labor Union; r. z. Andrews
president Merchants and Manufac-
turers' Association; Dorsey W. Hyde,
jr., president Monday Evening Club;
John Lewis Smith, president Bar AS.
sociation; Anton Stephan president
City Club; William Mex. Clayton,
president District Delegate Associa-
ton; Evan RI. Tucker, president
Northeast Washington Citizens AS
sociation: Clarence f. Donohoe, pres
ident Washington Real Estate Board;
j. o. Martin, president Advertising
Club of Washington; (Mrs.) Burnita
Shelton Matthews, president Woman's
Bar Association; Mrs. Eugene Ed
Gertrude nj. Stevens, president Twen.
tieth Century Club: (Dr.) A. Frances
Foye, president Women's City Club;
tMrs) Virginia White Speel. president
Federation or Women's Clubs; Anna
r.. Hendley, president Anthony
League, now Susan B. Anthony
Foundation; Charles NJ. Emmons,
M. d., president East Washington
Citizens Association: David Sanger.
president Associated Retail Credit
Men; o. "A. c. Oehmler, president
Washington Florist Club.
Would Retain System.
Mr.. Brandenburg. in reply to cues
tlonS, said that there is no remedy ex-
cept through a constitutional, amend
ment. Personally he said he does
not want local elf-government. His
theory is that if the constitutional
resolution is passed that
the system of local government
should not be changed But he made
1t very plain that his only mission
before the subcommittee was TO ask
their support of the constitutional
amendment on which the citizenship
is united.
While being questioned as to how
the condition of the District would be
improved through having elected Rep
fesentat1Ves with a voice and vote in
Congress, Mr.. Brandenburg made a
teiilng point with the subcommittee
by Stlessing that each of them makes
q personal sacrifice to serve on the
District committee. which entails a
great deal of work for which not one
of them gets any credit in their home
districts.
Mrs. w. T. Bannerman asked Mr..
why the Washington
Board of Trade, of which he is
former president and now gene.ul
counsel. argues for national represen-
tation. but bitterly opposed the Gasque
bill for popular election of the school
board. He explained that the action
of the board. representing $500 of the
business and civic leaders. after a
careful study, took that action, with
which he was in full accord
Opposes Local Self-GOvernment.
Mr.. Brandenburg said that he was
to local selfgovernment be-
cause he believes that Congress will
never surrender absolute control of
the District to the people Represent
atives Gibson and Hammer agreed
with him in that conclusion.
Frederic William Vile, representing
The print and publicity committee OF the
joint citizens committee. told how the
people of the District are taking their
case to the people-of the country in a
very comprehensive way and have