Evening star., 1941-04-16
BY J. A. O'LEARY.

Strong appeals for a constitutional
amendment to empower Congress to
grant the District national repre-
sentation and whatever degree of
local self government it deemed
proper were made today by Senator
Capper, Republican, of Kansas and
Paul E. Lesh, spokesman for the
Citizens Joint Committee on Ma
tional representation, at the OPEN
ing of Senate hearings before Ju-
dietary Subcommittee.
Appearing as co-author OF the
pending Capper-Sumners resolution,
Senator Capper described the pres
ent yoteless status Of Washing
tonians as un-American" and "in-
defensible"
While Stressing the plea for ma
tional representation, Mr.. Lesh also
indorsed local government ito
the fullest extent compatible with
the national interest"
When it laid out the seat of Gov
ernment here, he said, the Nation
wanted a Capital where it would be
supreme Congress, he said, has re-
manned supreme, and, even under
this constitutional amendment,
would remain supreme through the
power to repeal or modify any suf-
frage granted.
Finch Will Testify.
Speaking earnestly to the Sena-
tors gathered around the hearing
table. Mr.. Lesh continued:
Those of you who have it Ga voice
in government do not think as
much about it as We do, because you
are accustomed to having it. just as
the man who is blind thinks more
of the blessings of sight"
The subcommittee recessed shortly
after noon until 2 o'clock tomorrow
afternoon, when Wilbur S. Finch,
president of the District of Columbia
Suffrage Association, indicated he
would be ready to testify.
Senators Norris, independent. Of
Nebraska and Austin. Republican,
of Vermont. joined Chairman Nc
Carran in following the testimony
closely.
Senator Norris repeatedly pointed
out that if the constitutional amend
ment is adopted it would still be
optional with Congress to decide by
legislation how far it would go in
giving the District representation in
Congress. 1t might be decided, he
said, to grant the limited form of
territorial representation, or to con-
fine the representation to legislation
affecting the District.
Cause Just, Lesh Says.
Mr.. Lesh agreed that discretionary
power would remain in Congress,
but expressed a confident belief
Congress would grant full voting
representation because our cause
is just"
You men," Mr.. Lesh continued,
"do not know how it feels not to
be a part of the Nation. You do
not know how it feels to form an
opinion on some national issue, and
then realize you can do nothing
about it. What difference does it
make what you think, under such
conditions?"
Occasionally, Mr.. Lesh told the
committee, the history of the Dis
trict is used to the disadvantage
of those pleading for suffrage be-
cause the record of the territorial
legislature was not one to be espe-
cially proud of.
He reminded the committee, how
ever, that Washingtonians have
never had real national representa-
ton in Congress or in national elec-
tions.
suppose this amendment became
part of the Constitution, and subSe-
quent amendments were submitted
to the States, wouldn't the District
of Columbia then have to be counted
along with the States for purposes
of ratification" Senator Norris in
quired.
Mr.. Lesh said he did not think
that would follow, because the Cap
per-SumnerS resolution does not
make the District State, but merely
vests in Congress power to deter
mine how far it will go in granting
the District either representation
in Congress or changes in its local
government.
Senator Austin joined in to observe
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