Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-15

duties of Congress cannot understand
the burdens and never-ending problems
which are constantly arising for them
to consider. 1t is perfectly natural that
they must and should give primary con-
sideration to their respective States and
districts. Furthermore, while Congress
Is not in session and during vacation
period these men are not in Washing
ton, and it is impossible for them to
keep the very close contact with prob
lens here which Is essential for their
proper determination, and for these and
many other reasons 1t is becoming more
and more important each year to have
representatives from the District of CO.
lumbia in both branches of Congress
whose first duty is to study the needs
and requirements of the District and
be able to present them in the respec-
tive branches Of Congress for the as
sistance and guidance OF their COL
leagues.
Representation Is Explained.
There is so much transformation as
to what national representation really
stands for that think 1t important to
constantly keep before the public just
what 1t is. In a nutshell. it simply
means giving the District the right to
elect representatives in both branches
Of Congress and to the electoral COL
lege, and nothing else. It does not in
any way take the control of the District
OF Columbia from the Federal Govern
ment and from Congress and has Moth
ing whatsoever to do with the election
Of local officers Of any kind. 1t is not
surprising that many people misunder-
stand just what national representa-
ton means, but 1t is most surprising
that many American citizens should not
understand the principle on which it Is
based. This Nation is the pioneer in
the principle Of government by the
people and representation in all mat
tiers affecting their welfare. Therefore,
1t Is most surprising that any citizen
who has read the country's history
should either fail to understand this
principle or oppose it as applied to a
great body Of citizenship such as re-
sides in the District.
There are great. number Of ex-
cuSeS constantly put forth by some who
oppose this. but these excuses do not
stand up on analysis. One Of the great
obstacles overcome by patriots who
founded this Nation and stood for its
independence in 1776 was the opposi-
ton Of those who were afraid of a
change, who thought they might lose
some particular advantage, or that the
people were not capable of .Self-gov-
eminent, or that the government would
be controlled by the undesirable ele-
ment. And, as q matter Of fact, there
was more reason for the position of the
Tories at that time than exists now to
the opposition of representation for the
District Of Columbia. In spite of the
opposition of those who were timid,
afraid, apprehensive and altogether
lacking in patriotism and nerve, this
Nation has gone forward until today 1t
is the wealthiest and most successful
nation In the world.
Representation Is Vital.
Furthermore, the principle of repre-
sentation here in the District does not
violate the fundamentals as intended
by the founders of the Constitution
These forefathers Intended Washington
to be a city controlled by Congress and
the Federal Government, but they never
intended that 1t should be so controlled
without the people here having voice
in the Congress that controlled them,
and II any one will take the time to 60
into the history Of this question and
the history Of the District Of Columbia
they will find that this Is true. But
whatever may have been the early ex-
perience and history OF the District of
Columbia, the City of Washington has
developed to the point where repre-
sentation today is Of prime Importance,
whether 1t ever was before or not.
Some people say Look what the Fed
eral Government does for the District
it appropriates 100000 toward the
running Of the District That Is true;
it does And for that all the Govern
ment buildings and Government prop
erty have fire and police protection and
all the facilities afforded the individual