Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-18

the justice OF
mainder OF the presentations was not
decided by the chairman. There was
a possibility of four days. if the COM
mittee sits only in the morning.
The chairman indicated that several
members of the committee already
were familiar with the subject, and
complimented Mr.. Lesh. saying he has
made very fine presentation"
Keen Interest in Committee.
Keen interest was shown by men,
bers of the Judiciary Committee and
10 OF them were present. Many ques-
tons were asked and there was fire.
quent interchange between Mr. Lesh
and committeeman as he answered
their inquiries.
Chairman Summers showed greatest
interest in the question Of whether
the pending joint resolution would
constitute an irrevocable act. from
which this Congress or succeeding
Congresses could not withdraw.
He directed several questions 10 the
witness, beginning shortly after Mr..
Lash opened his presentation to this
point.
Finally, Chairman Summers de-
clared that in his opinion Congress
would be much more likely to pass
enfranchising legislation which could
be revoked at a later time than to
place its approval on irrevocable leg
islation.
In discussing the matter of previous
suffrage in the District, Chairman
Summers elected from Mr.. Lesh in
formation that suffrage had been dis
continued in the District as a matter
of public policy" instead of by court
decision.
Stresses Representation.
Attempts by several committee men,
bers to get Mr.. LeSh to discuss Section
l of the Randolph joint resolu-
ton, providing for a republican form
of government for the district, were
largely met by Mr.. Lesh with the ex-
PLANTATION that he was concentrating
on the question of national represent
atoms. He said he was leaving for an
Other speaker, Chairman Wilbur Finch
If the Citizens Conference on Suffrage.
the discussion of this local suffrage
issue Mr.. Lesh said it had been ar
ranged for him to concentrate on ma
tional representation.
Mr.. Finch said ne would take up
the local suffrage clause in the Lewis
Randolph resolution tomorrow.
When Mr.. Lesh offered three sched-
ules Of internal revenue receipts show
ing how the District compared with
several States in this respect, Chair
man Summers expressed the opinion
that the committee would not be SO
much interested in the amount OF
money paid as in general principles
involved.
Il agree with you, Mr. Chairman "
Mr.. Lesh said, that it is the principle
of the thing that is most important
1t was such principle that led to
the Boston tea party"
Funds Question Raised.
Representative Kitchener. Republic
can, of Michigan, who said he would
like to see the District get vote,
raised the question and pursued it for
some time as to whether the District,
after it received full suffrage, would
still continue to ask Congress for
contribution" to operate the munich
pality.
Suppose asked Mr.. Kitchener
that you assume the virtual obliga-
tions of a State How would you
present a request for a Federal con-
tribution?"
I'VE would present it as today" Mr.
Lesh replied.
If you assumed the obligations OF
State" reiterated Mr.. Kitchener,
how could you ask for 40 per cent
to so per cent from the Federal Gov
eminent to support the District OF
Columbian"
The amount is only 100000,
Mr.. Lesh corrected, mot 40 or so pei
cent"
This 100000. the witness ex-
planned. was based on fair estimate
of the cost of services rendered by the
municipality to the Federal Govern
ment in the form of fire and police
protection, water and other service.
Would you still expect the Federal
Government to make improvements
throughout the National Capital, lay
ing out streets and so forth?" queried
the committee member.
Il am sure, sir" answered Mr.
Lesh, you would ind US no more
selfish than any other jurisdiction
It might be more difficult to get
But we are getting 50 little now
would say, take your $5,000,0 900, and
give US the vote"
Realty Taxes Discussed.
Possibility of an increase IN the
real estate tax rate from $1.70 tt
50 or $2.25 was raised then by Rep
resentative Kitchener, who asked:
you're perfectly willing to swar
your vote for that difference?"
In reply, Mr.. Lesh explained thai
the tax rate here was based on full
valuation and that the per capits
tax paid in the District Of Colum'
bia was high in comparison with
other comparable cities.
II am confident" he said. "that
after political justice is granted b,
Congress to the District, you woule
still accord fiscal justice to this city.
when you come to the question o
running your own show" said MI
Kitchener, "and paying the bill, man!
are not willing to 60 along. I'd like t.
see you have the vote, but I want yo'
thoroughly to understand that 70,
would assume resnonsihilitieS far BE-