Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
BLACK ASKS VOTE
Be GIVEN CAPITAL
"Pay Taxes and Go to War,
but Can't Go to PoIIS," He
Says Over WMAL.

lighthouse
This old japanese proverb was quoted
last night by Representative Loring M
Black, jr., Democrat, of New York City,
as eloQuently describing voteless WASH
ington, the Nations Capital, during the
course of radio address over Station
WMAL
This is a true picture of Washing
ton" he declared. I'm the center we
have the Capitol. housing a scheme of
government, contrived by the founding
fathers as a guarantee of liberty. and
at its base. 100000 Americans without
a vote, without a voice. This is not
healthy for the country.
''Washingtonians pay taxes and go to
war" he said, but they cannot go to
voting places"
Represents Constituents.
'T come from a district hundreds of
miles from Washington" said Mr..
Black, yet I am supposed to assist in
managing the affairs Of the District OF
Columbia.
TT is my real job to express the
thought Of my constituents as best
can on the national problems presented
to Congress. In addition I must give
special services to such Of my voters
who have matters pending in the de-
partments. To adequately take care of
my own political background would alb
sorb all Of my time and attention.
However, I am also charged with look
ing after the legislative needs Of the
District of Columbia, which, / must
confess. gets little service from me:
That is not only so of Mr.. Black
of New York, but practically of every
other legislator in Washington.
Lately have been stirred to deeper
interest in District matters because GER
tain blatant demagogues, taking adj
vantage of voteless Washington, are
setting themselves up as meddlesome
Mussolinis over the District. Washing
ton has no vote, no Representative,
no Senator. The good name OF wash
ington has been attacked in the halls
of Congress and these attacks have been
reuuoted throughout the Nation with no
little harm to Washington. Had WASH
inrton a Senator or Representative the
voice of her people could be heard and
these unwarranted attacks could be
neutralized.
Citizenshipless Citizens,
Congress is not only a legislating
body, but It furnishes opinion forming
forums and as far as Washington is
concerned the city has no advocate
who can utter a word on either floor
Of Congress.
q People of Washington, nearly said
citizens, and this would be an error, for
Washingtonians do not exercise the
greatest right to citizenship, the right
to vote, are determined to obtain such
rights under the flag and demand that
the Constitution be amended to permit
the one half million of Washington
representation in the Senate and House.
The Philippine Islands have capable
delegates In Congress who eloQuently
defend their people. Porto Rico is ably
represented in the House. Hawaii and
Alaska have two substantial delegates
who plead their respective causes in
our National legislature and yet Wash
ington, the Capital, the home of
Americans born here and coming here
from all parts of the Union. is gagged
by misrepresentation in the Govern
nent they all love.
strangely these good people are
willing to have the President appoint
resident Commissioners to manage the
local administration and conf1ne their
demands to representation in Congress.
They ask for useful translation of the
Latin phrase 'Vox ct nihil praeterea'
(voice and nothing more).
Cites Small Town" Attitude.
'How would New York like Congress
70 run its police and fire departments?
Would Philadelphia care TO have WASH
ington govern its health department?
Would San Francisco want Washington
to manage its schools and transit sys-
tenn? Yet the reverse Is true of Wash
ington. Legislators from all parts of
the country excepting Washington
regulate the community life of the
Capital City. Washington makes a
minimum demand when its asks to be
heard in Congress in the consideration
OF laws stating the powers and limita-
tons of the District Commissioners
We do not ask to change the powers
Of Congress over the District
Washington is a large city. Yet it
Is run to big extent by men from
small communities, motivated by the
small town viewpoint. Consequently
some Of them try to impose small town
standards Of administration which are
absolutely united to the size. the ac-
Invites and the importance of the city.
A strictly Washington viewpoint in
Congress would be helpful to the de-
velopment and the happiness Of this
important community.
THE American Is essentially a self
governing being. This has been the
genius OF our progress. Although in
eulated from Misrepresentation for
years. Washingtonians have retained
q compelling impulse to self determi-
nation.
There is an old japanese proverb
apt here, which states, There is dark
ness at the foot of the lighthouse This
Is true picture of Washington. In
the center We have the Capitol, housing
scheme OF Government contrived by
the founding fathers as a guarantee
OF liberty, and at It's base 500 900 Amer
cans without vote, without a voice.
This Is not healthy for the country.
Tax Total Is RecOunted.
''Washingtonians pay taxes and 90
70 war, but they cannot go to voting
places. They are taxed for Federal
purposes annually more than $1,000
600, which Is greater than the combined
taxes OF Arizona, Montana, Nevada.
Idaho, New Mexico. North Dakota,
South Dakota and Wyoming. 1t has
greater population han the States of
Nevada, wyoming, Delaware, Arizona.
Vermont, New Mexico and Idaho. Gull
lord s. Jameson, able clerk Of the
House committee on judiciary, has
stated that Washington sent $4,000 men
to serve in the World War, and its
percentage Of volunteers to total en-
nstments Is greater than that of any
state In the Union, excepting five. It's
Young population exceeds that of nine
OF the States.
To adopt the constitutional amend
ment necessary to give Washington a
vote and representation will benefit
rather than harm the remainder of the
country. The District representation
In Congress would take the burden of
Iawmaklng for the District to a big
extent from the men from elsewhere,
permitting them to more efficiently
represent their own people. Let democ-
racy prevail at the National Capital
ano urge your Representatives and Sem
ators to adopt the District of Column
bla amendment so that liberty will
not be paralyzed at its heart, the Ma
tons Capital Washington, the Dis
trtct Of Columbia"