Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-23
Washington to Plead Again.

Tomorrow organized Washington APP
pears before the House committee on
the judiciary 70 present a petition for
national representation for the District
OF Columbia in Congress and the Elec-
toral College and for access To the
Federal courts. Arguments will be de-
livered by spokesman of the conlmuni-
ty. supported by representatives of the
people OF the States.
The argument Of the District for the
adoption Of constitutional amend
ment empowering Congress in its dis
cretion TO grant national representa-
ton 10 the Capital community stands
IL the terms that have already been
stated on other occasions when this
case has been presented TO the COM
rlitiees OF the House and Senate. II
is fundamental proposition. The res
idents of this District are American
citizens only in theory and ask to be
citizens IN fact. They are denied the
elementary right OF participation in
the making of their laws and in the
imposition of their taxes. Though
more than half million in number,
they are excluded from all share in
the processes Of government.
wha, is sought through this pres
ent petition is enfranchisement by
virtue of which the Capital COM
munity may be represented in the leg
isiative body which. under the Consti-
tuition. exercises exclusive legislation
over IL. without asking for statehood
or fer advancement TO position from
which the District could be evolved into
q State in the course of time. they seek
the right of voice and vote in the body
that enacts the laws under which they
live and that determines their taxes
and directs the expenditure of the
money raised By taxation.
This petition thus laid before Con-
gress is practically the unanimous voice
Of Washington. The Joint Citizens
Committee on National Representation.
which presents the petition, is COM
posed of numerous organizations Of
citizens. representative Of various ac-
tivties and encompassing virtually the
entire community. These constituent
factors of the joint committee number
IN their membership many thousands
o. washingtorians Faithfully and per-
sisiently and patiently they have been
seeking this grant Of American right
for years. As time has gone on and
the plight Of the Capital community
has been made known 10 the people Of
the ~'.tes-who in singular measure
have been unaware Of the situation
the Washingtonians have been sup
ported by the Endorsement Of the resi-
dents Of other parts Of the country.
and at this present hearing an express
sion Of this feeling Of sympathy and
partisansf1ip for the now 6isenfran-
chised District viii be strongly given.
Plans for the presentation Of the
Districts case tomorrow before the
House committee on the Judiciary have
been fully and carefully made, and Il
Is assured that the strongest possible
statement Of the reasons for the adop-
ton Of the constitutional amendment.
from every point Of view. viii be Of
fered II lis expected that not only al;
who are assigned parts IN this program
VIII attend, but that other Washing
tonians viii. by their presence, attest
10 the feeling which peryades the COM
rltEai'y that this measure Of justice 70
more than hail million Of loyal Amer
icsns. though long delayed. should nov
be granted