The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-05-02

ly called elections is the only
true democratic system" the
governor said. It am sure the
people of Utah would want to
do nothing that would question
this expression of view by the
people of the District of Col
umbia."
Under the present organization
of the Senate and House, the i'm
mediate question as to whether
the District should be given linn
tied or unlimited suffrage, and If
so whether by statute or conStitu-
tional amendment, would come be-
fore the Judiciary committees.
REPORT OPEN QUESTION
The House Judiciary Commit
tee is scheduled to tackle the prob
lem first-at the hearings to be
held this month. The Senate Ju-
dietary Committee, Senators ad-
mitted, could hardly refuse q
hearing in view of the landslide
proportions of Saturdays vote.
But as to whether either COM
mittee would report favorably on
any Of the several suffrage pro-
poSalS now before them was an
open question.
In addition to the Judiciary
Committee, members of the Sen.
ate and House District Committee
are expected to play an influen-
tial part in determining the atti-
tude of Congress, because of their
knowledge of WaShington's prob
lens and population.
It was admitted all along the
line that party leaders will have
the greatest influence Of all, pos
Sibly, in assisting or blocking the
suffrage proposals. With the
Democrats in overwhelming con.
troll of both branches of Congress,
it was pointed out that the atti.
tude of the White House might be
a decisive factor.
BORAH SCOTS AT VOTE
Some of the other Congressional
comment follows:
Senator William E. Borah
(R) of Idaho, widely known and
highly regarded as an authority
on constitutional questions:
THAT kind of vote doesn't
mean a thing to me. Everybody
voted who wanted to vote, with
out any kind of restriction. I
don't think it represents a fair
cross,section Of public opinion
in Washington"
McCARRAN OPPOSES POLL
Senator Pat McCarran CD of
Nevada, member of the Senate
District committee:
'The referendum didn't i'm
press me at all. That So-called
election would have no effect
in Swaying my Judgment. One
reason why it would not influ-
ence me is that there were no
residence requirements. I be-
lleve only bona fide District
residents-as well as Congress
should determine whether
Washington is to be given the
vote"
Representative Edward w. Creal
3D. of Kentucky:
I'm not ready to make any
commitments yet. The vote
would at least indicate what the
people here want and would set
tie that question"
Senator Frederick Van Mugs
(DO of Indiana, opposed for re-
election by the McNutt. organiza-
ton in Indiana. and one of the
Senate's Democratic independ-
ents:
Il think the people of the
District want their own local
government and national repre-
sentatives and ought to have
both. While I would not be
controlled in my judgment
solely by the referendum,
think that its results will have
an important influence on all
members Of Congress-"
Representative Earl c. Mich.
ener (R) of Michigan, member
Of the House judiciary Com
mittee:
THE unfortunate thing about
the referendum was that the
organized propaganda was all
one Side-the side that wanted
the vote. It was not adequately
pointed out that if the District
gets the rights Of a State, it
also will assume the obligations
of State"
Representative U. S. Guyer
(RO of Kansas, likewise a mem
Der Of the House Judiciary Com.
mittee:
THE vote indicated the de-
termination of Washington resi-
dents to have local suffrage and
national representation, and
think they should have them,
especially in view of the over
whelming pro-suffrage vote"
TWO FAVOR RESULTS
Representative Charles F. Nc
Laughlin CD of Nebraska, also
a member Of the Judiciary Com
mittee:
II regard the vote as a very
strong indication that residents
of the District wish to have e
voice in their own government.
It should prove a step in attain
ing this goal"
Representative Robert L. Ram.
say CD of West Virginia, another
member Of the same committee
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