Evening star., 1938-05-20

against suffrage seemed to her similar
to the arguments that had been made
against woman suffrage years ago.
Endorsed at St. Louis.
Mrs Baldwin told the committee that
the National League of Women Voters
had expressed support of the principles
Of full suffrage for the District at its
recent convention in ST Louis, Mo. At
that time, she said. the league sent a
telegram to the House Judiciary Com
mittee urging favorable action on the
Joint resolutions under consideration.
I'VE are of the opinion" she de-
sclared that citizens of the District
are not only entitled to representation
in both houses of Congress and to a
vote for the President and Vice Presi-
dent, but that control of local affairs
Is likewise a right that should not
be denied. While we are not at this
time stating a preference for any
measure now before your committee,
We most respectfully urge that action
be taken by your committee which
will constitute a forward step in the
. long struggle of the citizens of the
District of Columbia to secure their
inalienable rights to a voice in the
management of national affairs and
to control of their local affairs"
Mrs Baldwin's Testimony.
Mrs. Baldwin appeared on behalf
Of Marguerite M. Wells. president of
the National League of Women Voters.
When Mr. Ayers launched into an at
tack on The Star and its editor
Theodore w. Noyes, and also injected
the race question into the local Suf-
frage discussion, Chairman Summers
cautioned him that the committee was
not interested in controversies or in
racial issues.
Mr.. Ayers caustically criticized the
recent unofficial plebiscite on local
suffrage on the ground that it did not
present fair cross-section Of the citl-
zens. He charged that the referendum
was organized by proponents of suf-
fraee and that they manned the voting
precincts and had charge of the ballot
boxes. He also objected to the fact
that the persons who had legal resi-
dence outside the District of Co.
lumbia were permitted to vote. He
charged that three newspapers. with
out naming them, made Roman
holiday" out of the plebiscite because
they were latter circulation and after
advertising"
Dictator Question Raised.
Admiral Rodgers also raised the col
ored question in opposing the grant
of suffrage to the District. At one
point, the retired admiral was asked
by Representative Robsion of Ken
lucky If he was desirous that Con-
press should be a dictator over the
District along lines Of some European
governments. Admiral Rodgers re-
piled that he thought appointive Off
cials rather than elected ones would
work harder to make Washington a
representative city.
Then you think it would be better
for the States to have appointed Off
cials rather than elected ones?" Mr.
a RobSion asked
Admiral Rodgers said he did moi
mean that, and that he was referring
only to the District of Columbia as 8
-city.
Representative Michener, Repub'
lican, of Michigan suggested that Ad'
miral Rodgers probably meant tha
Congress has no axes to grind ane
IL not connected with any polltlca
factions in the District, but is JUS
interested in giving Washington good
clean government" Admiral Rodger'
agreed to this Interpretation. Whel
Admiral Rodgers expressed the opinion
that the small attendance at today
hearing indicated lack Of interest II
the question of suffrage, Chairman
summers commented, Its quality tha
counts"
Mrs. Doyle Testifies.
Completing her testimony, Mrs
Doyle told the committee:
II am now serving my tenth yea
as member of the District OF Colum
bia Board of Education and 1 ar
therefore particularly interested IN Tn
development of our future citizens
our children learn in their histor
books about the democratic system Q
government, wherein every man vote
and has an equal share in the re
sponsibility for his government. 1
our course of study I find listed a
an objective: To awaken pupils to