Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-01

cipIe would be wrong If it affected only
five square miles of territory and 5000
instead of more than 500, 900 people.
Even the smallest village, even the
single occupant of a lonely homestead
in the vast plains of the Western States
has a voice and a vote in the making
of the laws of State and Nation. Is
there any valid reason why the more
than half-million people of the District
of Columbia should not participate to a
| proport;onate extent in the affairs OF
the nation to which they owe loyalty,
allegiance and obedience?
Aside from the great question OF
principle involved, there are these facts
to be considered:
I'm 1920 the population of the Dis
trict of Columbia was greater than that
OF seven States, having IA Senators in
the United States Senate n an even
greater number of members OF the
House of Representatives. Today the
population of Washington, d. c., prob
ably exceeds that of eight or even MIN
of the States.
Theodore w. Noyes, chairman of
the Citizens Joint Committee on Dis
trict Of Columbia National Repre-.
! sentation, has assembled a number OF
other facts that emphasize the injustice
which I bring to your attention tonight.
He has shown that the District OF
Columbia paid more in national taxes
in 1927 than 25 of the States: vet 1t has
no representation in the body which
imposed those taxes. It's tax contribu-
ton was more than that of 10 of the
States combined.
Has Good War Record.
THE voteless, voiceless District OF
! Columbia sent more soldiers n sailors
RI Tho World War than seven Of the
States.
Its population of voting age in 1920
was more thar that of nine of the
States.
THE fact is that there is a less DEM
ocratic form of government of the Ma
tional Capital today than at the be-
ginning of our national history. For
many years, and until 1871, the people
of Washington elected a mayor and
city council and part of the time mad
representation of some kind in Con-
eress. But the city became involved in
financial difficulties. because of a patri-
otto attempt to fulfill the early plans
for the finest capital in the world:
| Congress thereupon came to the aid OF
the city but deprived it of representa-
ton either in council, assembly, leglsla-
ture or Congress. Since 1873 the laws
of the District of Columbia have been
made solely by Congress and admin
istered by three commissioners APP
pointed by the President of the United
States.
AS chairman Of the District of Co
lumbia committee of the United States
/ Senate. which considers legislation for
the District, l am bound to have some
knowledge not only of the condition OF
the National Capital but of the desires
of the people whose in Washington.
d. C.. Leaders Are Not Elected.
"The Commissioners and other Off
Gals who are administering the laws
made by Congress for the District of
Columbia are honest. capable men.
But they are not the elected representa-
tives of the people. Neither are the
men who make the laws for the District.
The people of Washington each year
pay nearly $50, 000, 900 of taxes for
municipal purposes. But they have nc
| control whatever over the way in which
their money is spent. They cannot
designate, through elected representa-
tives. what streets they desire to have
paved, what schools they desire built,
what hospital facilities they wish to
provide.
THE only right these nearly 600, 900
people have is the right to petition
Congress. They have no authorized,
elected spokesman, directly representing
their sentiments and interests, and only
theirs, On the floor of either the House
of Representatives or the Senate.
There are many members of Con-
gress earnestly, sincerely interested in
the welfare of the people of the Dis
trict of Columbia. But they owe first