Evening star., 1928-03-08
AYERS PROTESTS
SUFFRAGE. IN D. c.
Colored Vote Would Hold Bal.
arce of Power. House
BODY Is Told.

OF the Capital, through CONSTITUTIONAL
amendment made his principal argu-
rient before the House judiciary COM
mittee today on the colore>. vote hold
ing a balance Of power If suffrage was
granted.
He also arg''es that as between ma
t'onal representa- ton and local suffrage,
he and many others who do not want
either form of franchise for residents
Of the Capital would prefer local
suffrage. He pointed out that the
Federation of Citizcns' Associations is
i'll favor of local suffrage as we'll as
national representation.
Representative Dyer. sponsor of the
resolution. who is acting chairman OF
the Judiciary committee. owing to the
illness OF Representative Graham Of
Pennsylvania. announced that the final
hearing will BE- held March Is. Tor
proponents Of the measure
c:atement Challenged.
MFR. Ayers said that he had been
working against the proposed ieeisla-
ton for seven years. He feels that
what is proposed is unnecessary. and
that II the resolution Is adopted by Con-
greSS and ratified by the States. thus
becoming part of the Constitution, a
mistake will be made which it viii be
hard 10 rectify.
Mr.. Ayers gave the committee his
opinion that the citizens in Washington
co not want national representation
or need 1t, This statement was chal-
lenged by Jesse c. Suter, former presi-
dent of the Federation of Citizens AS
sccistionS. and by James G. Yaden. the
present president of that association.
Air. Ayers said that the citizenship
OF the District is divided into three
groups. one OF which is in favor of ma
t,onal representation, another for local
suffrage. and the third group. which is
the largest, would rather not have any
kind OF suffrage. Asked by members
o. the co:.;mittee on what grounds he
bccec this statement. Mr. Ayers said
that of the five newspapers here. while
The Star devotes columns of space TO
the campaign for national representa-
ition, the other newspapers hardly men,
ltion it,
| MI Ayers explained that he also
bases his conviction on impressions he
has received in visiting a number of
citizens associations. The West End
Citizens. he said. which he considers
representative membership. at special
meeting called for the purpose OF voting
upon the question. with a total men,
:bsrship Of 400. showed 80 voting for it.
3 opposed. including himself. and who
old not vote.
f. Denies Approval.
! He was questioned by members OF the
committee as to whether the fact that
Others. who were not present at that
meeting when they. did not later re-
pu6iate this action. indicated that they
are in favor of the resolution rather
than, as Mr. Ayers drew the inference,
opposed 10 it, mo. indeed he replied.
He also recalled that some years ago,
when the City Club voted on this
proposition, only about 500 members
we're present. which was about one
third OF the membership.
There has never been a referendum
and never a houSe-to-house canvass TO
find out how the people feel. Mr.. Ayers
said A little later in the hearing. Miss
Elizabeth Reiss. 1906 Belmont road,
suggested that such a referendum
should be taken
Mr.. Ayers quoted the census figures
Tor 1920 TO show that there were then
<37. 900 persons in the District, of whom
$4,000 were white and 100 900 colored
The police census, five years later, he
said. showed 472. 1000 persons, of whom
3so, 900 were white and l27. 900 coiored.
He cited these figures as an argument
that the coloreo population Is increas-
ing four tunes as fast as the white pop
niation
He also presented figures in answer to
the argument OF proponents of the reso-
iuticr that the race question will not
be a paramount issue. Mr. Ayers
pointed out that nearly every white
citizens association Is trying TO keep
colored residents out OF its section Of
nlA
that such legislation would create q
political ring in Washington Mr..
Ayers argued that there were more COL
oreo women In the city than men. as
indicating that the District might ex-
pect TO see coioTed woman elected to
the United States Senate, and IL would
then be possible for this colored woman
Senator TO attend White House recep-
tons
Those in favor of national repre-
sentatlon and opposed TO local suffrage
are afraid OF the cclored vote, Mr.
Ayers declared. The Government as
nov constituted here. he said caiis for
Sacriflce IN giving up the right To
vote. but said that he and others are
willing 70 make this sacrifice in the
interest OF good government.
He denied that the District Is bsin2
neglected. saying that the 535 member
OF Congress- do take an interest In Dia-
ts1ct affairs. pointing out that some Of
them have lived here up TO 80 years.
Mr.. Ayers cited the case OF Western
Market 10 prove the interest that Is be-
Ing taken in Congress on District mat
teYs.
Treatment Praised.
When 1t 'Sas proposed 10 close this
market he led delegation TO the Capt.
tol. where they received the best possi-
bic treatment from Senator Capper and
oli1er members
He declared he had no patience with
persons who say that Warrington Is
not represented and called atten jon
mat washington Is represented al the
national conventions, with six delegates
10 the Democratic convention and two
~ The Republican
Mrs. E. u. LAnghorne, 1905 X street
stated that she does not belong TO any
league or association, but as a resident
Is perfectly satisfied with the form o!
government now In operation In Wash
1ngton.
Mr. Ayers told the committee that II
the people here are 50 eager 10 VOTE.
ti1is territory might be eedeo back 10
Maryland Is had been done In the caSe
OF that part of Virginia which was once
part Of the District. The Federal Coy.
1nnent could take what area IL needed
here for public buildings and cede the
I@sL back 20 Maryland
Admiral w. l.. Rodgers retired. of the
Dupont Circle Citizens Association
sgiG ne wouic Ike W know what pro-
pos4ents 0f the Dyer resolution think
~ thst suggestion, but his request went
unanswered