The Washington times., 1938-05-19

~@e&~@SN@--SN W. Ne@~ ~Oe@@@@--
that the Lewis-Randolph joint
resolution would broaden Congress
sional power over the District to
the extent that Congress could es-
tablish here a locally elected gov
eminent with practically all the
attributes of a state government,
executive, legislative and judicial.
Passage of the resolution, he
said, would not detract from Con-
gressional discretion in local self
government, but, on the other
broader field in which to exercise
its discretion.
NO BURDEN
Members Of Congress could
no longer say" he added, that
they are burdened with the de-
tails of running our city gov.
eminent because of any consti-
tutional mandate, but such
burden as might thereafter be
theirs would fall upon them
through their own choice be-
cause of an .unwilingneSS to let
the people of this District run
their own local government"
In addition, he said, he stated
his belief that the trainers of the
Constitution, in giving Congress
power of exclusive legislation over
the District, had in mind the dele.
CATION of such powers as the
Lewis Randolph resolution pro-
vides.
He cited a statement by James
Madison, which he said explained
that Congress was to have the
supreme authority at the seat OF
government only to avoid any in
reference on the part Of any Of
the States.
POLITICAL OUTCASTS"
Referring to Washingtonians as
political outcastS," he concluded
his statement to the committee
with the observation:
1--WE must bow in reverence to
the dictum of our Supreme
Court; admit. that we are, by
reason of our residence, at the
very heart of the worlds democ-
racy, completely impotent from
a political point Of. view, and
rely upon you, the members Of
our national legislature to assist
us in placing into the ConStitu-
ton of the United States q pro-
vision which would afford us the
opportunity Of securing those
political privileges which I be-
lieve, we, as American citizens,
are already justly entitled to
enjoy"
BACK TO MARYLAND
Representative Francis Walter
Cd, of Pennsylvania, provoked
a furry Of discussion early II
Finch'S statement by asking i
local suffrage problems could moi
be solved by ceding the majol
part Of the District back to Mary
land.
Finch replied he believed Dis
trict citizens would be enfran
chiSed if this were done but ex
pressed doubt as to whether Mary
land would agree to such a Solu
ton.
TRIAL BALLOON
"a trial balloon was sent up on
this question recently by a mem
her Of Congress but opposition
developed from the Maryland
all the cream" Finch said.
delegation, who contended the
Federal Government would keep
He emphasized that the Fedora
Government under the ConStitu
ton would always be required II
retain supreme jurisdiction owe
Federal property in the Nation
Capital.
walter said he did not see hov
members Of the Maryland delega
ton developed their line Of res
soning. Chairman mnerl
brought discussion Of this poin
to an end when he said:
ct don't think it would be
profitable to go too far afield on
that subject now"
POWER OF CONGRESS
Representative Summers urge
Finch to throw all possible ligh
on the power of Congress to n
woke any form of self-governmen
extended to the District, declal
This ID the most important