Evening star., 1938-11-19
Law 10 Create
D. {. Assembly
lis Sought
Suffrage Association
Bill Would Give
Citizens Control

Optimistic that local suffrage for
the District is just around the corr
ner, the District Of Columbia Suf-
frage Association resolved last night
to seek authority from the coming
Congress for establishing NUM-
cipal Assembly for Washington, to
be elected by District citizens.
Such as assembly would give us
control of our own affairs and q
form of government more consistent
with the democratic ideal than the
method Of government we have
now" William NICK. Clayton, chair
man of the groups Legislative Com.
mittee, said. 1T will help make the
Capital the model municipality of
the United States"
Mr.. Clayton read to the meeting
draft of a bill that would bring
such an assembly into existence.
The resolution supporting the bill
was adopted after session in the
board room of the District Building
that lasted more than three hours.
Authority Limits Set.
The assembly would be charged
mot to enact ordinances in conflict
with Acts Of Congress affecting the
District of Columbia ). or decreas-
ing the salaries or limiting the ad-
ministrative authority of the Com
missioners of the District or pledg-
ing the credit of the District or hy-
pothecating its revenues"
To objections that sponsorship of
such a bill might reduce the en-
phasis on the drive for national rep
resentation, Wilbur Finch, presi-
dent of the association. pointed out
that the Citizens Joint Committee
for National Representation was de-
voting all its efforts to that prob
lem and that the association was
committed first to obtaining local
self lf-government.
Could Levy Taxes.
According to Mr.. Claytons bill,
the assembly, of 81 members. which
would be elected biennially and
whose members would be paid 81 900
a year, would have these seven pow
ers:
!. To levy taxes for municipal
purposes and cause the taxes to be
assessed and collected.
2. To appropriate money for mu-
nicipal purposes.
3. To exercise all of the powers
for making codes and regulations
now held by the Board of Commis-
sioners.
a. To exercise jurisdiction over
streets, alleys and property of the
District.
5. To ordain the election laws Of
the District and define the election
districts.
6. To ordain and cause to be en-
forced within the District all other
laws and regulations reasonably
needful for the safeguarding of the
peace, security. health and general
welfare of the Districts inhabitants;
to prescribe penalties for the breach
of any ordinance by fine not in ex-
cess of $500 or imprisonment for not
more than six years or both.
Z. To make recommendations to
Congress concerning legislation af-
fecting the District. including such
legislation as may be necessary to
effect economy and efficiency in the
District government and to provide
for the effectual participation by
District citizens in governmental af-
fairs.
Firmness for Vote Urged.
Before Mr. Clayton read his bill
and resolution. William Mondell,
vice president of the association and
the presiding officer at the meeting,
exhorted the members to stand firm
in their purpose of obtaining votes
for the District.
THE opposition is going to use
every method in their power to block
U.s." Mr.. Mondell said
According to Mr.. Clayton's model
bill, District citizen is ANY citi-
zen of the United States of America
domiciled in the District of Colum-
bia with the intent of making it his
permanent place of residence who
does not claim or maintain citizen
ship or voting residence elsewhere"
The bill adds:
"A citizen of the District Of Co.
lumbia shall be deemed to have
abandoned such citizenship at any
time at which he removes his prin-
cipal place of residence from the
said District of Columbia, at any
time at which he claims or is
granted voting residence elsewhere"
Years Residence Required.
The bill further defines the Dis
trict citizen thus:
"All persons who have been citi-
zens of the District for a period Of
one year, who have registered. who
reside in the voting precinct for
which they are registered, are COM
pos mentis, and not under restraint;
have not been deprived of their
rights of citizenship, and who have
attained the age of 81 years at the
time of the holding of any election
In the District of Columbia, shall be
eligible to vote therein"
The bill proposes to set up Is
assembly districts in the District,
each of which will elect an assem-
blyman, and provides for the elec-
ton Of five assemblymen at large.
The members chosen at the first
election would be in Office until De-
cember l, 1941. Thereafter the term
would be three years.
The assembly would choose from
its own members a president and a
vice president. each to be paid $500
year in addition to the $1,000 all
the assemblymen would be enti-
tied to. q
"The first election of members Of
the assembly shall take place on