Evening star., 1940-08-16
House 6. 0. P.
Pledged 10 Back
Representation
EneIebrieht Commits
Republicans to Vote
For Summers Plan

The Republican organization in
the House, backed by the Repub-
lican membership of 1863, stands
ready to assist the Democrats in
putting through the Summers reSo-
luton to grant national representa-
ton to residents of the District of
Columbia, in fulfllment of the Dem
ocratic platform pledge.
This was attested today by Repre-
sentative Englebright of California
the party whip, whose duty it is to
keep the party membership advised
regarding the party policy and to
round them up to vote for legisla-
ton the party leadership decides to
support.
Further Republican support was
shown today when Leonidas C. Dyer
Of st. Louis, Mo-, who more than
a decade ago was chairman Of the
Judiciary Committee, wired his con-
gratulations on the .staunch support
the House Republicans are giving to
the national representation legisia-
tion. Some Is years ago Mr.. Dyer
himself sponsored similar resolu-
ton, and extensive hearings we're
held before his commirtee, so he is
familiar with the subject and the
desires of District residents. Mir.
Dyer said that he will gladly come
to Washington and appear with
Representative Summers before the
Rules Committee.
Praises d. c. Citizens.
II believe most sincerely" he said.
that the right of representation in
Congress should be granted to the
people of the District, who are g
fine group of citizens ano as de-
serving of the franchise, and who
WOULD use it as intelligently and as
patriotically as any other group of
citizens in any of the States"
Since both Representative Martin,
minority leader and manager of the
Willkie presidential campaign, and
Representative Otter, manager of
the Republican congressional cam
paign to win control of the House,
have declared in favor of the Sum-
ners resolution, Mr.. Englebright has
held conferences with a ma ajority of
the Republican members from 80
States. He finds that very large
percentage of them will support the
national representation resolution
He has not heard any of them de-
clare opposition to the proposed con-
stitutional amendment.
"Vote Almost Unanimously"
IF the Democrats will bring up
this Summers resolution, the Repub-
licans in the House will vote for it
almost unanimously" he said.
The Republican membership is
not willing to cooperate in re-
linquishing control over the seat of
government" continued Mr.. Engel-
bright, but close study of the Sum-
ners resolution has convinced the
party leaders that it safeguards all
Federal interests"
He pointed out that the Republi-
can members of the Judiciary Com
mittee voted with Chairman Sum-
ners in directing a favorable report
from the committee. He called at
tention also to the fact that Repre-
sentative Guyer, ranking Republican
on the Judiciary Committee, sup
ported Mr.. Summers in his appeal to
the Rules Committee for a special
rule to give this legislation prompt
consideration in the House He also
observed that Representative Earl
c. Nichener of Michigan, a high
ranking minority member on the
Judiciary Committee, is also a men,
ber of the Rules Committee, and
that it was not Republican members
who delayed action on the special
rule.
Roosevelt Comments.
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt
said at his press conference today
that the question of District rep
resentation is still in the study
stage, so far as the development of
an opinion on it from the White
House is concerned.
Mr.. Roosevelt made this observa-
tion in response to question as to
whether he had had an opportunity
to examine into the matter.