Evening star., 1928-01-15

On the twenty-fourth Of this month.
q week from next Tuesday. Washing
ton will again present its petition to
Congress for national enfranchisement
AT a hearing before the House commit
tee on the judiciary. beginning on that
day. will be offered the arguments IL
favor Of the adoption by Congress OF
an amendment to the Constitution all
thorizing Congress to extend to citizens
OF the District of Columbia the right
OF representation in House and Senate
and in the Electoral College. and also
to grant them the status Of citizens
for the purpose of suing and being sued
In the courts of the United States.
Preparations are now being made by
the Joint Citizens Committee for Ma
tional Representation for this hearing
AT recent meetings Of representatives of
the organizations affiliated with the
joint committee confidence has been ex-
pressed in stronger and more effective
statement of the Districts case At this
coming hearing than ever before.
There is reason for this confidence.
For the movement for national repre-
sentation for the District of Columbia
has grown in strength. It has enlisted
the cooperation and active services of
more of the organized units of the COM
naunity. It has been aided by the CO.
operation OF national bodies. represent
ative of citizens of the States. in recog-
milton of the Districts rights It has
elected expressions Of approval and
championship from men and women Of
eminent position in the country. who
have lent their influence in behalf of
the diSfranchised Capital community
When Washineton's voice is raised at
the Capitol On the twenty-fourth in de-
mand for the extension of the most
important Of national citizenship rights.
Il viii be not merely the voice Of the
local community. but Of the country
generally. which has in all instances.
where the depiorable denial of fran
ehise to the more than half million
Capital residents has been made known.
expressed indignation at this injustice
and . wish for its correction
The committee before which the ar
Fument for national representation will
be presented ON the twenty-fourth and
perhaps succeeding days Is. with few
changes. the same body that heard the
case la April 1926. 1t was felt at that
time that favorable impression had
been made upon the members Of the
judiciary committee and that but for
the intervention OF other matters re-
curing the exclusive attention Of the
committee for q considerable period
following the hearing. q report favor
able TO the adoption Of the joint resoiu-
ton would have been made TO the
House Of Representatives. This present
hearing viii take place early in the
session. leaving several months before
adjournment In which the matter can
be considered and reported upon by
the committee. II the District should
EE ~ AbS AsA2AASG sc ~ AENS&sN y A&k1s &b1L
report AT the present session. action
upon the JOINT resolution by the House
would be possible before the adjourn
nnent. which is likely to take place In
June
With organized Warrington virtually
unanimous IN its demand for national
yenyfsprsatlsr with its e2Se SsfrnxnFse ~
by representatives Of the States. with
individual citizens Of all parts Of the
country indorsing the petition for the
grant OF vital national citizenship rights
n the Capital community. there is in
deed q brighter prospect than ever for
the accomplishment Of the end toward
which sz,e District has been working
for many years.