Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-14
VO:EFOR DISTRICT
!. URGED BY EDISON
Banker Presents Capital as
City of DISTINGUISHED Amer
leans in Radio Talk.

shorn of the privileges and duties &C
corded their fellow citizens in the States
by John Joy Edison, eminent banker
philanthropist and citizen of the Dis
trict, in radio broadcast address yes
terday afternoon over Station WMAL
and associated stations of the Column
bia Broadcasting System.
Mr.. Edson's talk was broadcast
through the courtesy of the National
Security League, of which Maj. Gen.
r. L. Billiard, U. S. A., retired, is pres
ident. The league had been appealed
to for consideration at its coming con-
Vention of VoteleSS WaShington'S plight
and Gen. Billiard not only promised
that consideration, but invited Mr.. Ed
son to speak under the leagues auspices
during one of the organizations weekly
broadcasts. WMAL's schedule was
shifted to permit Washingtonians to
hear the speech here.
Text Of Edison Address.
The address follows in full:
at is a privilege to have this OPP
portunity of speaking to the people OF
the country upon matter of such vital
interest to Washington. 1t is important
at THU time that the country at large
should know that the residents of the
National Capital community are denied
basic rights enjoyed by all other Amer
country are entirely unaware that such
o condition exists.
Here at the Capital Of the Republic
the people are deprived of all right Of
suffrage and participation in the coun-
ellis of the Nation. They are not per-
rnitted to vote for the President and
the Vice President; they are not per-
mitted to elect representatives in Con-
gress, which enacts the laws, imposes
taxes and expends the proceeds of
taxation.
Congress is not only the National
Legislature but it enactS all laws for the
government of the District of Columbia.
The President is the head of the gov
eminent of Washington and as such
appoints the administrative and judicial
officers. Some of his valuable time,
therefore, must be given to considera-
ton of affairs of importance to the
Capital. Naturally the people of the
District desire to vote for the President
and Vice President They also wish
representation in the normal legislation
Of the Nation and its Capital.
Denied Voice in Government.
'"The founders of this Republic, we
believe, guaranteed to its citizens this
right to voice in government This
has been denied to the citizens of Wash
ington.
$50 plain case of simple justice
should require no argument to any
American audience. A plain statement
Of the case we feel should be enough to
convince our fellow citizens Of the Re-
public that these rights should be
granted.
Many citizens of the District who
have lived here 40, so or 60 years or
almost all their lives can hardly under
stand why the franchise has not been
granted them long ago.
1--WE of the District of Columbia feel
that If our fellow citizens of the Re
public knew of this situation, which
has existed ever since this territory was
designated as the Capital, there would
be very few who would not earnestly
sympathize and favor prompt remedial
action.
Contributes to Budget.
'-The Nations Capital is community
Of importance in the Nation, with a
1at1on than in each of nine of the
States, and 1t contributed its full share
to the Government budget. Last year
we paid internal revenue taxes in
greater amount than paid by each of
IS States. All Of these States are repre-
sented in Congress and vote for the
President and Vice President-rights
Wnlcn are denied TO us.
There is a type or class Of citizens
whose lot and life has been cast in the
City of Washington, which is their per-
manent home. They have been selected
and accepted as soldiers In the armed
forces of the Nation. They have served
with credit in the various wars in which
the country has been engaged. They
have defended their country and per-
formed the severe and lengthy duties
required. AS rule they have been good,
respectable citizens. Their very trials
and experiences as soldiers, it has been
observed, fitted them for good citizen
ship. Yet this type Of citizens, together
with all other residents here who have
fully performed their duty under this
Republic, are permitted no part in the
Government. This is a government Of
the people, by the people and for the
people, but these faithful ones at the
very heart of the Nation are refused
the privilege of casting their vote in
the country for which they fought and
1n which they live. They feel this
deeply and 1t grieves them sorely to
know that this Is true.
Citizens Possess Power to Aid.
'tOur purpose Is to have you know
operation of government under a re-
public. One surprising thing about this
whole subject is that Congress does
not possess the power to cure this I'M
American condition. And here is where
we need assistance of you, the fair
minded citizens of the Nation. You
possess the influence and power which
we voteleSS and unrepreSented people
lack.
years Of discussion have brought
this vital matter to the point, at pres
ent, when the citizens of the Capital
hope and believe that the people OF
the Nation will effectively help bring
us the right to vote for President and
Vice President and for representation
this 1t requires an amendment to the
Constitution. This must be passed by
two-thirds vote of both House and
Senate and be ratified by the Legis-
latures of three-fourths of the States.
This proposed amendment is now
pending before both Houses of Con-
gress in the form of joint resolution.
This amendment does not disturb the
Nations control over its Capital. 1t
does not change the form of the city
government.
"It does not lessen the power of
Congress, but gives Congress q new
power to grant the District citizens
their fundamental rights as national
Americans.
"This proposal has widespread ma
kional support through some Of the
great national organizations Of the
country which have Endorsed 1t.
Supported by Civic Groups.
"It is also heartily supported by the
leading civic, business and labor organi-
cations of the District of Columbia, CO.
operating unitedly through the Citizens
Joint Committee on National RepreSen-
fation for the District of Columbia