Evening star., 1938-02-08
REPRESENTATION
HELD D. c. NEED
Mrs. Horace Phelps Tells
W. c. 7. U. Of Injustice to
Capital Citizens.

The trainers Of the Constitution
never expected that future citizens Of
the District Of Columbia would be de-
prived of representation in Congress,
Mrs. Horace Phelps yesterday told tine
District of Columbia Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union at its quar-
terly convention in the United Breth-
rem Church.
Speaking in behalf Of national repre-
sentation for the District. Mrs. Phelps,
who is chairman of the Committee on
National Representation in the Dis
trict Federation of Women's Cluos
and second vice president of the Dis
trict Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tions. denied that there is anything
in our scheme of Government which
requires that the American citizens
resident in the District should be the
only citizens in all the expanse Of
continental United States who are
without representation in the National
Government.
Cites Standing in Nation.
Since the District Of Columbia IS
now more populous than was any
State, except Oklahoma, at the time
of its admission to the Union; since
it is now more populous than any one
Of eight States; since it pays more ma
tional taxes than any one Of rs States;
since 1t has furnished its full share OF
defenders in time Of war, its residents
are justified In asking for N amend
ment to the Constitution which VIII
give them Z voice in the Government
they serve" Mrs. Phelps declared.
The statement sometimes Is made
that We are represented by all the
members of Congress-" Mrs. Phelps
said. This is contrary to our sys-
tenn OF representation. which is terri
torial and numerical. The States are
divided into congressional districts and
in no district are the people willing to
be represented by a representative
elected from and by the people Of
another district. even in the same
State"
Mrs. E. Morgan Pryse. chairman Of
the department of legislation in the
District Federation of Women's Clubs,
presented the opposing side Of the de-
bate. She doubted, she said, that the
average citizen of the District thinks
much about voting. She added that
only small percentage Of the popu-
lation vote in the States, where they
do have votes.
Sees Civic Pride Aroused.
Pointing out that each Of the 53l
Senators and Representatives have .
home in Washington. Mrs. Pryse said
they would take civic pride in the
Capital and in the city In which they
are obliged to live for periods Of from
six to eight months each year.
Speaking at the evening meeting
OF the group, D. E. Balch. administrA-
tive assistant to J. Edgar Hoover in
the Federal Bureau Of Investigation,
described the extent OF crime in the
United States. If the criminals Of
the United States we're segregated,
he said. they would occupy 10 Of our
States.
Mr.. Balch stressed the amount Of
youthful participation in criminal &C.
tivity. About 10000 crimes are COM
mitted by youths of le and II years
Of age, he said. and 18 per cent Of
all crimes are committed by persons
under the voting age.
I'VE are on the threshold of a new
era in law enforcement" Mr.. Balch
declared. Law enforcement is be-
coming a scientific profession, with
emphasis on better trained men and
better equipment"
1T is highly essential that think
ing people become aware Of the Sc
robustness Of the situation, that there
may be cooperation between our
and the people through
out the country" he added.
Delegates from the 80 local clubs in
the District attended the one-day con-
vention at which Mrs. Ida w. Ramsey,