Evening star., 1926-04-21

the report Of the Citizens Advisory
Council to the Senate on the Identical
resolution under consideration.
Proctor l.. Dougherty, chairman OF
the committee on national representa-
ton of the Federation of Citizens AS
sociations, said that he speaks for SO
delegates from neighborhood bodies
representing $4,000 residents of the
District. He submitted a list Of these
neighborhood citizen bodies and re-
port of his committee made on jan
uary 16, which is a historical docu-
ment, showing the development of the
movement for national representation.
Mrs. William E. Chamberlain, rep
resenting the auxiliary committee Of
women on the Citizens Joint Commit
tee, and q number of other organiZa-
tions cooperating in the campaign
for national representation, said shn
preferred to speak as an average
woman citizen, who had done con-
siderable work in civic affairs.
Sees Situation as Absurd.
She asserted that the time has come
when a sufficient number of citizens
have been aroused who do agree on
this one proposition, that 1t iC the
| inherent right for every citizen Of the
United States to have suffrage and
that the people in the District are
now asking that right. She prophe-
sled that within a few years II would
be as absurd to think that citizens in
the Capital City had been denied the
vote as 1t is now absurd that SuZan
B. Anthony was once arrested for
having the temertty to vote.
Mrs. Chamberlain called attention to
the fact that Washington is growing
educational center, that it is one of the
chief educational, business, Sclentlhc
and art centers of the United States,
With headquarters for many national
organizations She told the commit
tee that Congress has nothing to fear
from a vote in the District, because
the people here are unusually intel
ligent and I'VE might reasonably nope
TO get usually intelligent representa-
tiVes in Congress"
Mrs. Chamberlain reminded the COM
mittee that the people in the District
ARE always told by you who sit on
the hill and rule our fateS that II
we ask for any one thing and agreed
upon it you will do it for u.s." She
then referred to the mothers pension
legislation, framed after careful study
and with expert assistance TO meet
the particular needs of the District
but which was set aside because mem
bers of Congress from one State so
desired.
District "Stepchildren."
Mrs. Chamberlain said that the Dis
trict residents are "stepchildren and
not getting in Congress such repre-
sentation as their own representatives
would give them"
A. E. Seymour, secretary OF the
| Washington Chamber Of Commerce,
with an active membership OF l,40O,
said that his organization was pio-
neer in taking up the suffrage propo-
sition In it's present form, and for
years has carried on its letterhead an
explanation Of this desire on the part
Of District people. He declared that
residents here are worse of than
aliens. who come to this country and
can secure a vote in a few months,
while people in the District OF the
| broadest minds and ablest, most ma
ture experience in affairs or govern
mont can secure a vote only by
| abandoning their homes and business
| interests in the Capital City.
| Bv way of illustration, he pointed
out that as long as he was President,
Woodrow Wilson could go from the
White House to New Jersey and vote,
| but as soon as his successor entered
the White House and Mr.. Wilson be
came a private citizen, he lost his
right to vote as citizen.
When members of the committee
questioned this statement. Paul f.
Lesh, who probated Mr.. Wilson's will,
said that the records would show this
| fact.
Want Normal Political Life.
Henry H. Classic addressed the
judiciary committee as a member of
the brief committee for the citizens
Joint committee. He declared that
people of the District are naturally
entitled to the normal political life
| OF an American. He answered points
| of objection raised by members of
| the committee and invited questions
on any phase on which the committee
| desired such information as he could
give.
| Mr.. Classics argument delved deep
| into history with frequent reference
to original documents showing the in
| tent of the founders of the Republic
regarding tho National Capital. He
discussed provisions of the Constitu-
ton for but one sovereignty in the
Continued on Seventh Page)
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