Evening star., 1926-04-21

would bring greater measure of
justice to the people of the Capital
City, Mr.. Brandenburg explained to
the judiciary committee that the
citizens of the District are denied
equal rights with citizens of other
States in the United States courts.
Under Article III of the Constitu-
ton Of the United States, defining the
judicial powers, a citizen of one State
may sue citizen of another State on
the ground of diversity of citizenship.
or If such nonresident is sued in
State court he has the right to remove
the same into the Federal court" he
said. This Is a most valuable right
and so recognized throughout the
country. Under the Interpretation of
this clause of the Constitution by the
Supreme Court of the United States
1t has been held that while the Dis.
trict is State for purposes of direct
taxes, 1t Is not q State whose people
can sue in the Federal court on the
ground of diversity of citizenship. No
serious minded man can object to the
amendment OF the Constitution pro
posed in the Dyer bill which gives
our people the same right In this
regard as the citizens OF any of the
States. AS the law Is now interpreted.
we have even less rights than given
an alien, because under the Constitu-
ton. an alien may resort to the United
States courts"
Voting Representation Necessary.
Voting representation on the floor of
Congress Is necessary to protect the
interests of the District, Mr. Bran
denburg argued, saying while in gem
eral the District has been fairly treat
ed, by reason of the broadminded
spirit in which many of the members
OF the Senate and House have ap-
preached District affairs, the fact re-
mains that we cannot hope to receive
the consideration and attention that
the rights of nearly half a million
people demand in the absence of vot-
ing representation on the floor of
Congress. The demand upon the time
OF the individual member of Congress
by his constituency leaves but little
or none to be devoted to the interests
of the people of the District. This is
natural, and Of which we cannot COM
plain. Anything that they may do for
the District will hardly enure to their
benefit with their home people.
AS you are. we'll aware, no street
or alley can be widened or eliminated,
and not dollar can be expended for
the maintenance of the police, fire, or
any other department of the local
government except it be first author
lied by Congress.
Congress must declare what is an
o1ense or crime. Indeed, there is
nothing that can be done except with
the approval of Congress. This being
true. it is necessary that representa-.
ttVes be provided in both Houses, who
Will not only have an intimate knowl-
edge of the facts, but be able to fol-
low up their convictions by a vote.
Cites Existing Conditions.
Under existing conditions when
ever our people desire to have a
velop its water power, or desire the
enactment into law of some humane
provision for the care Of it's people.
the construction or enlargement of a
school, the creation of parks or
reservoirs, or indeed anything affect
ing the welfare of the District, we
must seek the good offices of some
member of Congress who has no vital
interest in the District to introduce a
bill, and then by personal solicitation
endeavor to enlist his support in
matter of no particular interest TO
his constituents at home, and if he
does render the services, it Is often
at great inconvenience and sacrifice.
There is no member of Congress to
whom the District may appeal as a
matter of right to father any piece
OF legislation for it's welfare, with the
result that time and again it's rights
have heen denied.
AS early as 1880 President Andrew
Jackson recognized these difficulties
a ND 1nkt
gress which he subsequently repeated
on several occasions.
1T is a singular fact that of all the
governments of the world the United
States is the only one which denies to
the people Of its capital the same ma
tional representation enjoyed by the
people of the other cities. The three
nations who have copied our constitu-
tional provision for q national capital
in a federal district controlled by the
nation are Argentina, Brazil and Mex
leo. Notwithstanding this control by
the nation, they have found no diff
Guilty in giving full national represen-
tation to the people residing in their
capitals.
Question Put Up to Congress.
"Why should we, the citizens of the
District of Columbia, be denied the
right to vote for the President and
Vice President? Why should we be
denied the right to speak through our
chosen representatives in the House
and Senate as to the manner in which
we shall be taxed and as to the dispo-
sition of those taxes? Why should
we not be permitted through our
chosen representatives in Congress
and the President of the United States