Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-17
hits INDIFFERENCE
/: TO DISTRICT VOTE
Unitarian Speaker Assails
Local Residents Not Active
for Representation.

Those residents of Washington who
say that they are not interested in ma
tional representation for the District OF
Columbia do not possess the normal
political aspirations of real Americans
Paul E. LeSh. vice president of the
Washington Bar Association and a
member of the citizens joint committee
on national representation. declared al
an address last night before the Uni
tsrian Layman'S League at its monthly
dinner and meeting in All Souls Church
Moreover" he added. they have
lost the spirit which rightfullv thev
should pride as citizens Of the greatest
democratic Government II the world,
No Change in Government.
Mr. Lesh said that there is reason
for the government Of this city differ
ing from the governments Of the States
Of the Nation because :: IS the Capita!
OF the Nation. but that in the proposal
now pending before Congress there Is
no change requested in the government
al the city lIe stated. however. that
the people Of this territory are entitled
70. and request only. legislation that
would give them representation in tho
National Government and make them &
real part of the Nation.
AS the power Of the Federal Govern
r.en' is steadily increasing over that Of
the State governments. legislation
granting the franchise to people OF this
city would be OF material satisfaction TO
these people, as il would create in them
more OF an interest in the Nations
QUESTIONS. he said.
III answer to arguments, in which IL
has been stated that it makes no oar
tcuiar difference whether or not Wash
inston,ans are privileged to vote for
President, Vice President. Representa-
tiyes and Senators. Mr. Lesh pointed
10 the fact that f that FRANCHISE were
&c be taken from any State. residents
OF that State would be IN arms Ccsend-
Ing their rights Why. he asked. should
not the residents OF iris city Be up in
arms because they are not so priv
ilese6?
Natives Avoid Leaving.
I. has been suggested that those Il
tbs city who are DESTROYS OF voting
may move TO nearby Maryland or Viz
gina and could exercise the right 70
vote and at the same time have their
residence in close proximity to Wash
!neton Native-born Westinghouse.
the speaker said. have as much pride
in remaining in their native city as has
any ether group. and want the city tS
become only normal American area.
Breaking down the theory that the
writers Of the Constitution did not deem
Il advisable for the citizens Of the Cap
ttal of the Nation to have national rep
resentation Mr.. Lesh read number OF
quotations from them establishing the
fact that il was not practical to con-
Ssde- the question pro and con. because
NJ that time the Capital City did not
exceed one square mile in size and was
sDarselv settled He pointed to the fact
that Washington he's grown consider
ably more than it vas ever anticipated
m those early DAYS. and that the situa-
ton Is changed entirely.
AZ the present time. the speaker
showed by statistics. there are seven
States iu this country with population
smaller than that OF the District OF
Columbia. and yet, he said. thew con-
tinue national representation. He fur
ceasuSes has made more OF gain than
the ms jority of these States, and some
o. the others.
Money Used Without Say.
Mr.. Lesh recalled the phrase which
vas popularized Just preceding the
Revolution. that Taxation without
representation Is tyranny" maintaining
that taxpayers in Washington pay more
taxes than citizens of many States, and.
therefore. should have a right I'm de-
cla-ine how their money should Be
spent.
The Capital Of this Nation. alleged
Mr. Lesh. Is alone among capitals Of
nations u its restriction from national
representation, citing London. Paris,
Euenoh Aires and numerous capitals
that are not so restricted
Mr.. Lesh was introduced by Jesse c.
Euser vice president OF the citizens
to;7t committee on national representa-
ton. Frank Van BrackIe president o.!
the Laynlen's League. presided.