Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22

might deem to be necessary. But the
people here who would be called upon
to respond to military service, taxation
and obey any other laws passed by Con-
gress would have no voice in Congress
about the fairness, justice or necessity
of such legislation.
Many Realize Situation.
Many outstanding Representatives
and Senators in Congress realize this
situation, and are in favor of national
representation, and many of these men
realize that it would be not only an
element OF fairness, according to Ameri-
can principles, to extend this right to
the citizens Of the District, but would
be positive benefit to Congress. Mem
berS Of Congress are already heavily
overworked. They must take care of
the whole Nations business, as we'll as
their respective districts and States.
The great increasing problems before
this Nation today make it almost i'm
possible for members of Congress to
give the necessary attention to these
problems without breaking down their
own physical constitution. While it is
true that these great problems have
increased in the Nations affairs, it is
also true that Washington has grown
and developed until it is today a veri-
table State. 1t is no longer the small,
overgrown country town on the banks
of the placid Potomac. but it has a
population of nearly SOC, 000-a greater
population than eight or nine States of
the Union. 1t pays more national taxes
than any one of IS Of the States and
more than 10 of the States combined
1t sent more soldiers and sailors to the
World War than seven of the States
No part OF this country under the Stars
and Stripes has fulfilled more COM
pletely its obligation to the Nation than
has the District of Columbia-and yet
without any voice whatsoever in the
affairs Of the Government it so Loyalty
supports.
The time has long since come when
there ought to be representatives of the |
District of Columbia in Congress whose |
principal duty is to study the affairs of
the District and to present them to |
Congress when legislation affecting the |
District is under consideration. The |
vast majority Of the members of Con-
greSS are ready, anxious and willing to |
vote the right way on various problems |
that come up affecting the District of |
Columbia, and it would be of very
material help to them If from among
their own membership there was some
one whose primary duty would be to
present the facts and arguments on
these matters. However anxious and
loyal any Senator or member Of the
House may be to the District, the fact
remains that for at least nearly half of
the time he is compelled to be in his
own State and out Of personal touch
with the problems of the District of
Columbia.
Problems Accumulate.
These problems accumulate here dur
ing vacation time for Congress-. the
same as when Congress is in session,
and 1t requires constant, careful study
OF these developing factors to be able
to present hem to Congress when the
time comes for legislation. The more
carefully any one considers this phase
OF 1t the more clearly he will see its
importance
Much has been said by those who do
not understand this situation as to who
would control the balance of power in
the District of Columbia. On its face
this is another one of the bugaboos
that is used as an excuse but not a
reason. The balance of power in any
election Is controlled by the majority
OF the voters in such an election, and
1t Is absurd to assume that any politi-
cal party or group of individuals or
interests of any kind and character
could permanently control the majority
OF voters OF the District OF Columbia.
No city in the United States has a citi-
zenship of higher intelligence and better
qualifications to vote than the City of
Washington, and certainly the citizens
Of no city in the United States have a
better opportunity to study and know
the Importance Of electing high-type
men to Office than do the citizens of
Washington.
Literature Available.
No doubt the question arises to those
OF you who are listening and believe in
this matter as to what you could do to
help. And right here let me stop to
make few suggestions. The first and
most important thing is to fully inform
yourself about all phases of this ques-
ton. Naturally it is impossible to ex-
plain all these. matters in a short
speech over the radio, but there is
maintained in The Star Building by the
voluntary contributions of the citizens
Of the District a Citizens Joint Com
mittee on National Representation. If
you will write this committee at The
Star Building. you will receive litera-
ture discussing every phase of this
question and giving you full and COM
plete information. I would suggest that
you first do this, and then, after in
forming yourself. discuss it with your
friends, get literature for them, and
write letters IN INV Co,1of1r -. r3z..~