Evening star., 1938-05-19
Finch Quotes Hamilton and
Madison in Plea for
Franchise.
STRESSES PROVISIONS
OF LEWIS RESOLUTION
Mondell Cites Referendum Vote
as Evidence of Demand
by Citizens.

the Citizens Conference on District
Suffrage for national representation
and local self government by consti-
tutional amendment were made before
the House Judiciary Committee today,
as arrangements were made to bring
the hearing to close some time to-
morrow.
After listening to stirring arguments
in behalf Of GiSfranchised Washing
tonians and hearing two witnesses in
opposition to suffrage, Chairman Hat.
ton w. Summers adjourned the hear
ing shortly after noon with the an
nouncement that the final session
will begin at 10 am. tomorrow in the
Judiciary Committee room.
The principal argument for an elec-
tive form Of republican government
for the District of Columbia was
voiced today by Wilbur S. Finch,
chairman of the Citizens Conference,
who quoted trainers Of the Constitu-
ton and various jurists to convince
Congress that it is un-American to
deprive residents of the National Cap.
ltal Of a voice in their own govern.
ment.
Referendum Vote Cited.
AS evidence of the overwhelming
demand Of Washingtonians for the
right to vote. the Citizens Conference,
through William H. Mondell. chair.
man of its Elections Committee told
the Judiciary Committee of the land.
slide for suffrage registered in the
city-Wide unofficial referendum Of
April 80.
The conference also was repre-.
sented by Frank C. Waldrop. appear.
ing in behalf of Mrs. Eleanor Patter-
son, who told of the tremendous
handicap under which the District of
Columbia now operates because of it's
voteless status. He pointed out, for
example, that members Of Congress
are reluctant to serve on the District
| Committee
Appearing In opposition to the
grant of franchise to the District was
Grover w. Ayers. secretary of the
Ten-Mile-Square Club, and Mrs. E.
Morgan Pryse, legislative chairman Of
the District of Columbia Federation
of Womens Clubs. Mrs. Pryse said
she was speaking for minority OF
the federation.
Opening the second day Of hear
ings by the Judiciary Committee, MIR.
Finch first explained that his confer
ence with 300 member bodies, and a
membership of about 125.00O, is Of
| flclally on record for national repre-
sentation. He approved the presenta.
ton given the committee on this SUBJ
ject yesterday by Paul E. Lesh and
Jesse c. Suter, spokesmen for the
Citizens Joint Committee on National
Representation.
The Citizens Conference, Chairman
Finch explained, favors national rep
resentation as outlined in both the
Capper-Norton Joint resolution. and
the Lewis-Randolph joint resolution.
He concentrated his attention, how
ever, on the proposal for local suffrage
as contained in section / of the latter
message
Quotes From Madison.
I Harking back to the intent Of the
| Founding Fathers, Mr.. Finch quoted
from Madison and Hamilton to indi-
cate they never intended to deprive
this city of the vote.
Tracing several decisions Of the
Supreme Court of the United States
regarding local suffrage, MIR. Finch
declared:
Il believe that Congress can, under
the Supreme Courts Interpretation of
its power over the District, create here
a form of elected municipal govern
ment comparable to any of those now
existing in most of the other munici-
palities in the United States.
IF there is any dispute on this
point" he declared, ''it is not whether
Congress can or cannot create here
an elected municipal government, but
rather that the powers which the
Supreme Court has said Congress may
delegate to such government would
be insufficient to satisfy some of our
citizens who wish more effective vot-
ing privileges and some members Of
Congress, who. burdened with the
duties of handling our local affairs,
wish to transfer practically all respon-
sibility to the people here, where they
believe it properly belongs"
Section l of the Lewis-Randolph
joint resolution, Mr.. Finch explained.
contains, from the point of view of
desirability and practicability the ulti-
mate objective in local self-government
for the residents at the seat of govern
ment of the United States.
1T would not repeal the power Of
Congress to exercise exclusive legisla-
| ton over the seat of government" he
asserted, "but the political privileges
| which Congress could grant to Dis
trict citizens under it would be some
what enshrouded in the sanctity of
constitutional grant. the future Con-
crosses would perhaps be reluctant to
interfere with them unless an emer-
gency should thereafter arise Of such
serious nature as to affect the neces-
sary independence of the Federal
Government.
1T would SO broaden the congress
sional power over the District that
Congress could, If it would, establish
within the District, a locally elected
government with practically all the
attributes of State government, ex-
ecutive, legislative and judicial.
Subject to Congress.
"Such government would not how
ever, be strictly State government.
because, among other things, it would
not be independent in local affairs as
are our State governments, but subject
always to the superior authority Of
Congress in such matters. It is be-
(see VOTE HEARING, Page A-4)