Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-21

taxation without representation. IN
meeting on national representation.
held at the Willard Hotel by the
Board of Trade.
Nearly one thousa nd strong, huSl-
ness and professional leaders OF WASH
ingTon gathered in special session TO
protest against the present unjust
and humilating" situation and to
urge early passage of the pending
Joint resolution proposing an amend
ment TO the Constitution granting to
residents of the District representation
in the Senate. House and Electoral
College and access TO the Federal
Courts.
Other Civic Representatives Invited.
In addition to the members of the
Board of Trade. who attended in
unusually large numbers. there were
present by special invitation repre-
sentatives of other civic organizations
identified with the movement for
national representation and also
several members of Congress.
Representative Leonidas G. Dyer,
vice chairman of the House judiciary
committee, before which the joint
resolution providing for national
representation for the District is
pending, addressed the meeting and
evoked enthusiasm by his declara-
ton that the proposed constitutional
amendment would be ratified by the
Legislatures of more than three
fourths of the States and his state
ment that the resolution will be con-
sidered by the judiciary committee
at it's meeting next Wednesday. He
was given a unanimous rising vote
of thanks for his address.
IF the nonUnn1pnf for
national representation pointed out
with emphasis that national repre-
sentation as projected would not take
from Congress its power of exclusive
legislation for the District of Column
bia, which is granted in the Constitu-
ton. National representation, how
ever, it was asserted, would give to
Washington residents a definite part
in their own government.
Pleas Win Applause.
Rounds of applause greeted decla-
rAtionS of speakers for the right of
the taxpaying residents of the Capital
TO have a voice in their government
and bursts of laughter were brought
forth at descriptions of the ludicrous
situation of a nation that boasts of
a government "of the people, by the
people and for the people'-eXcept in
the District of Columbia.
Forceful arguments in support of
the justice of the claims of the resi-
dents of the Capital to a voice in
their government were delivered by
a number of speakers.
Edwin c. Graham. president of the
Washington Board of Trade, who pre-
sided over the meeting, foresaw In
the action of the representative citi-
zens present a movement spreading
over the District in the form of SINH
lar meetings by other local organiza-
tons demanding action on the plea
Of the residents here for national rep
resentation. Mr.. Graham predicted
that the movement will continue until
1t eliminates in the granting of this
right to the "stepchild' city.
Bell Guest of Honor.
Engineer Commissioner Bell, whose
retention for another term of assign
ment here has been asked by associ-
ations throughout the city, was a
guest of honor, representing the mu-
nicipal government. The principal
address of the occasion was delivered
by Representative Dyer of Missouri,
who has introduced in the House the
resolution for the proposed constitu-
tional amendment granting national
representation to the District.
Theodore w. Moves, chairman of
the Board of Trade committee on ma
tional representation. reported. as
chairman, outlining activities during
1926. and indicating an intensive cam
paign to make 1927 a banner year in
promotion of the cause.
Vote Injustice Cited.
Paul Z. Lesh. secretary of the Board
of Trade committee, pointed out in a
brief address the injustice now suf-
fered by District residents in being
denied access to the Federal courts
when sued by residents Of any State
in the Union, and Edwin c. Branden-
burg, vice chairman of the commit
tee, eloquently protested the "intol-
erance" of the existing denial of citi-
zenship rights to be found here.
In his address Representative Dyer
explained in detail the pending legis-
lation. which will propose and lay
the foundation for national repre-
sentation and gave forceful argu-
ments in support of it's passage, emu
merating the heavy burden of taxes
now assessed against a people who
have no voice in the levying or eX-
penditure of that revenue. and point
ed out the generous response the Dis
trict of Columbia has given in war
service, subscriptions to Liberty loans
and other public needs.
Describing the pitiful situation of
misrepresentation, Mr.. Dyer declared
lat present they possess only the
political rights guaranteed by the
Constitution. They have the right of
assembly and association, freedom of
expression by speech and writing, as
well as the right of petition. Further
than that. they have no voice in our
National Government.
Citizens Show Interest.
There exist in the District of Co.
1umbia many associations of it's citi,
zens, and they have shown an inter
est. and an intelligent one, in all gov
ermental affairs. These associations
cover the whole city of Washington
and their officers and members are
men of keen intelligence and of q
very p~triotic frame of mind. They
are all proud of their country and OF
their city Since they have all the
qualifications for participating gin the
AFFAIRS OF their government and per
form aIi the duties required of the
citizens OF the United States, | fee
that thEy should have a say through
representatives in the Congress anC
the selection of a Chief Executive OF
the Nation. / also feel that they
SHOulu hot ue put IN the same CLASS
as aliens, SO far as the Federal courts
are concerned.
1T is very true that the Congress
end its committees give careful con
sideration 30 their views touching leg
iElation affecting this city. Yet there
is missing the one thing which is deal
10 every american citizen That i.
the right 10 be a part and parcel Of
the Government. This wish can only
ho fi1ad ht-
20 that noA enjoyed by the citizen:
of the various States
My Judgment is that the actor
suggested LY my resolution is Thu