Evening star., 1933-05-01
D. c, VOTE MEASURE
INTRODUCED BY
CHAIRMAN NORTON
Resolution in House Identical
With That Proposed in
Senate by Capper.
COOPERATION PLEDGE
GIVEN CITIZEN GROUP
District Committee Head Also to
Aid Nation Wide Campaign
for Voteless Capital.

A resolution calling for a constitu-
tional amendment to enfranchise the
citizens Of the District of Columbia was
introduced in the House today by
Chairman Mary T. Norton of the
House District Committee.
AS she offered the resolution, Mrs.
Norton pledged earnest cooperation
National Representation to get favor
able action in the next session OF
Congress.
The resolution is identical with that
proposed in the Senate by Senator Cap
per, former chairman Of the Senate
District Committee.
Mrs. Norton also pledged her assist
ance in Nationwide campaign to in
form the country of the voteless plight
of the citizens of the District.
1T is un-American that the residents
of the National Capital should be the
only people under the American flag
who are without a vote or voice in the
making of the laws under which they
live and in the selection of Chief
Executive, and they have less rights
under the Constitution than foreigners"
said Mrs. Norton.
Will Push Resolution.
She declared that, while the admins
tration's program during the present
Congress will not permit the considera-
tion of other legislation. she has intro
duced this resolution today with de-
termination to push it before the
Judiciary Committee at the next session
of Congress and in the meanwhile en-
couraged all friends Of the District to
make an aggressive campaign OF educa-
ton throughout the States so that they
may be ready to vote mtelllgently on
the proposed constitutional amend
ment.
1T is only matter of justice and
fairness that since they bear burdens
of taxation and military service in sup,
mort of the Nation in times OF war ana
in peace. comparable with that car
ried by any other citizens. the residents
of Washington should be given equal
rights in making the laws and in select
ing the officers of Government, sne
said.
II believe" continued Mrs. Norton.
"that an enthusiastically organized
campaign of education at this time sup
ported by a firm presentation OF the
case to Congress will result In 1aVor-
able action upon the proposed consul
tutional amendment"
The Capper- Norton resolution pro-
vides for an amendment to the Con
stitution to be proposed for ratncatloH
by the Legislatures Of. the several
States which. when ratified by three
fourths of the States, shall be valid as
a part of the Constitution.
Power to Congress.
This resolution specifies that The
Congress shall have power to admit 10
the status of citizens of a State the
residents of the District constituting tne
seat of Government of the United
States. created by Article l, Section .,
for the purpose of representation IN the
Congress and among the electors OF
President and Vice President and 1or
the purpose of suing and being sued IN
the courts of the United States under
provisions of Article III, Section 2.
When the Congress shall exercise
this power the residents of the District
shall be entitled to elect one or TWO
Senators, as determined by the Con-
gress, or such other representatives IN
the Senate as Congress may PROVIDE
for. representatives in the House ac-
cording to their numbers as determined
bv the decennial enumeration, and
presidential electors equal in number
to their aggregate representation in the
House and Senate or as Congress may
provide.
The Congress shall provide by law
the qualifications of voters and the
time and manner of choosing the Sen
ator or Senators, the Representative or
Representatives, and the electors herein
authorized.
The Congress shall have power to
make all laws which shall be necessary
and proper for carrying into execution
the foregoing powers"