Evening star., 1938-05-20

cratic form of government depends
upon an active and intelligent electo-
rate, and that consequently it is their
duty to fit themselves for worthy citi-
zenship' To the children Of the Dis
trict of Columbia this is splendid
goal. which we hope they strive to
reach, but they themselves cannot now
be part of such an active and intelli-
gent electorate. They never see their
parents vote and they can't look for
ward to voting themselves.
The successful plebiscite managed
by group of publlc-spirited citizens
gave to the children of the District Of
Columbia their first realization that
in most cities schoolhouses are also
regularly used as voting places. The
close association of the fundamental
right of suffrage with education EN-.
phasized the interrelation of the demo-
cratic process with the democratic
public education that is characteristic
of America. 1t is pity that in the
Capital City this typically American
process should be impossible. and
that in order to see the exercise OF
the usual franchise it is necessary for
our children to go to another city or
State"
Cause of Youth Cited.
In addition to the points which
have been made;" Mrs. Wiley added
Il wish to say that women believe in
national representation here for the
sake of youth. How can young people,
the adults of tomorrow, grow to be
civic minded, responsible individuals,
when they know that they will always
be petitioners and onlookers politi-
cally? They can help alleviate mat
terS but cannot get at the bottom OF
conditions by the use of vote. One
cannot learn 10 swim by reading about
it in a book. No more can one learn to
be an American citizen by reading
about it. Responsibility is the most i'm
portant agency in the forming of
character. To be worthy American
one must practice the principles OF
American democracy.
n lilOl dl lSouC Id lSUlSCO VIC al e
taxed and fulfil every other require
ment of citizenship. but are denied
the right to elect those who make
the laws. The young men Of the
community are asked to give their
lives when the democracy is threat
ened from without, but they are denied
the right of every other citizen of
the United States. to vote for Presi-
dent and Vice President and their
Representatives in Congress and thus
to participate in legislation both local
and national. At the present time
not only are we denied any part in
the management of our affairs, but
We are equally denied voice in the
settlement of great questions which
affect the Nation as whole.
The residents of the District of Co.
lumbia should be responsible for the
good government of the community
through their duly elected representa-
tives, since Congress is both our ma
tional law-making body and our local
governing body as well. We should
not be mere petitioners to the repre-
sentatives of other communities. The
election to the Houses of Congress OF
representatives chosen by the citizens
of the District of Columbia would be
of great benefit to the community, in
suring the presence there Of persons
familiar with our needs and directly
responsible to our wishes"
Board of Trade Statement.
The statement of the Board of Trade
follows:
The enfranchisement of the people
of the District of Columbia has been
presented to our Executive Committee
on numerous occasions, to our Board
of Directors and to the full member
ship of our organization and has re-
ceived unanimous Endorsement upon
each occasion. The Board of Trade
is Fundamentally behind the effort OF
the Citizens Joint Committee on Ma
tional Representation, which repre-
sents practically all the major organi-
cations in the District of Columbia
before the committee at this hearing
In fact, the Board of Trade has been
d member of the Citizens Joint Com
mittee longer than any other organiza-
ton it represents.
I'VE feel that if national repre-
sentation is granted, that is, the right
of the citizens of the District of Co
lumbia to vote for presidential elec-
tors and their right to be represented
in the National Legislature, as well
as their right to sue and be sued ir
Federal courts, it will remove the un.
fairness that now exists, the un.
fairness of denying the District citizen
the right to have a voice in nationa
affairs If Americans are to be gov.
erned by those chosen by the ballo
why are We not entitled to a voic,
also in national affairs? We, too, ar,
and want to be Americans"
Federation Vote Favorable.
Mrs. Phelps said the Federation o
Women's Clubs had voted overwhelm'
ingly in favor of national representa-
ton.
In June, 1885, through a resolu
ftion presented by the District Of Co
lumbia Federation, the General Fed
Grafton of Women's Clubs placed tn
subject of representation for the Dis
trict of Columbia on its study pro
gram," she testified.
1.-The question of national repre-
sentation was again before our club
in November and December of 1887
when a referendum to the membe
clubs was taken. Clubs totaling ,
membership of 248 voted against in
dorsement, while clubs totaling I
membership of 3,042 voted for in
dorsement.
1--WE believe that our 100000 schoo
children who are taught the history
theory and philosophy of our republic
an form of government should, with
out leaving the city of their birth o