Evening star., 1938-01-02
To the Editor Of The Star:

-~AN~>
~ ECAUSE, as understand,
X a letter from Mr.. Wilbur
S. Finch which you intend
publishing contains a
number of references to a letter
OF mine, you have handed me a
copy Of Mr.. Finch's letter and re-
quested my comments in order
that they may be contemporaries
ously published.
I note that Mr.. Finch takes
exception to the headline which
you put over his recent letter and
mine, both published in The Star
OF December 10, on the ground
that the headline stated that we
differed, whereas his present let
ter points out that we are In
accord on the constitutional
question involved.
Difference of Emphasis Seen.
This means to me that Mr.. Finch
recognizes that the general legislative
power comparable to that exercised by
State Legislature cannot be delegat-
ed by Congress to a locally elected leg
lslature, and that what Congress could
do would be to give to locally elected
municipal government the powers GUS
tomarily exercised by city govern
ments. Agreeing as it is now clear We
do on the legal proposition involved,
our letters differed as to emphasis. We
agree that there are limitations on
what could be delegated to a local gov
ernment. The limitations seem i'm
portant to me; it seems important to
Mr. Finch that so much could be dele
gated. Furthermore, what I think is
more important is the practical aspect
OF the matter, that is, that there would
be much less power granted to any
local government, and permitted to be
exercised without interference, than
Mr.. Finch and I might agree is con-
stitutionally possible.
The substantial difference Of opin-
ion is therefore not one as to what is
constitutionallr possible, but AS to
what it is politically wise to strive for
as our objective.
Position l. Reviewed.
AS to this, my point of view may be
briefly stated The normal American
citizen residing in a city participates
IN his National Government by helping
elect the President, Vice President,
Senators and Representatives. He
participates in his State government
by electing the State executive officers
and the State Legislature, and if his
city is large one he and the other
residents of the city may collectively
nave a strong voice in determining
now much of the State power shall be
from time to time delegated to and
from time to time withdrawn from his
city or municipal government. He
participates in his city or municipal
government by electing its executives
and the members of the council or
assembly or other body having the
power to enact municipal ordinances
inasmuch as by a constitutional
amendment, the support for which is
growing, we could get participation in
the Federal Government and at the
same time participation in what cor
responds to our State government.
Whlch would give us a real voice in
What should be delegated to any
municipal government, I think the
adoption of this amendment, popular
ly known as that giving us national
representation" should be the primary
objective of District citizens interested
in self-government.
1t would require different amend
ment to the Constitution, more diff
cult to obtain, to get set I'D here
elected locally, a State government
with full legislative power.
United Front Is Need.
Under these circumstances and con-
sidering the tremendous effort that
Will be required to get any change
made, personally hope that We can
remain united in our efforts to get
national representation" and not let
any difference of view as to whether
1t is worthwhile to divert our energies
to efforts to get opportunity to elect
municipal officials of limited power
prevent us from being united on what
should be our main objective.
Nothing pleases the gentlemen from
the States who are opposed to any
surrender of the power they now have
over us more than to be able to bait
us into disagreement as to what we
want. Having this in mind, permit
me to say that I have the greatest
respect for Mr.. Finch's organization
and realize that 1t is the same in
stinctive American rebellion against
denial of self-government that actu-
ates him and also those of US who
are putting more emphasis on the
effort to get participation in the ulti-
mate sovereign Of the District Of Co.
lumbia, that is, the Government Of
the United States.
(Signed) PAUL E. LESH,
Attorney at Law.