Evening star., 1927-11-30
Bright Enfranchisement Prospect.

Positive assurance that the move
ment to secure national representa-
ton for the disfra nchised District VI
Columbia in Congress and the cleo
toral college rs stronger than ever Is
given by meetings held in this city
yesterday. At one of these meetings
contact -rcs established between the
Citizens Joint Committee for
National Representation and repre-
sentatives of the National Council of
State Legislatures. charged with the
duty OF reporting to, their organization
upon the merits and equities of the
Districts claim for enfranchisement,
At the meeting of the National
Representation Executive Committee
Of Citizens plans were laid for con-
tinuance Of the campaign to secure
the adoption by Congress Of the joint
resolution proposing a constitutional
amendment empowering Congress to
admit the people of the District to
participation in legislative and elec-
toral proceedings.
Especial encouragement results
from the evidence of sympathetic
interest in the Districts aspiration
on the part of representatives OF the
States. This is particularly so in
view Of the fact that when Congress
has adopted the joint resolution it
must be submitted to the Legislatures
for their ratification. the assent of
three-fourths of them being necessary.
Evidence appears that there is no
dissent in this quarter from the funda-
mental principle of the Districts
claim to full citizenship. On the con-
trary, 1t would appear that the feel
ing prevails that a grave injustice
has for these many years been done
to the residents of the Capital in de-
nying them the basic prerogative Of
citizenship, participation in the process
Of making their own laws and levy
ing their taxes and in summoning
them to war in the country's defense.
Immediately upon the opening OF
Congress next Monday the Joint reso-
hutton proposing the necessary consti'
tutional amendment will be intro
duced in both houses. Shortly there
after arrangements will be made for
hearings before the judiciary commit
tees of the two houses, at which the
Districts case will be presented. 1t Is
expected that at those hearings pleas
will be made not only by representa-
tives of the District. but by repre-
sentatives Of the States, asking for
their fellow citizens Of Washington
the same American privileges and
rights that are accorded to those who
dwell, beyond the bounds Of the Dis
trict.
Steady progress has been made In
the evocation of favorable sentiment
In Congress and in the country at
large for national representation for
the District. Though some years have
elapsed since the movement was put
upon its present basis Of sincere and
determined desire by all Washington
for this form of enfranchisement, it
is felt that the goal is being neared.
Adoption of the joint resolution by
this present Congress following IA
vorable reports from the two commit
tees before which the case will be
argued may be reckoned as possi'
bility. And in view of the recent man.
Hesitation of sympathy for the dis.
franchised District on the part Of the
representatives of the people Of the
country at large, their formally
elected legislators before whom the
amendment is eventually to be placed,
its ratification when thus submitted
may be confidently expected.