Evening star., 1941-05-08
Hearings Ended, D. {.
Awaits Verdict on
Representation
lesh Tells Subcommittee
Of Unity in Desire to
Participate in Government

Washington's plea for national
representation and for greater de-
gree of local government today
awaited the verdict of a Senate Ju-
dietary subcommittee, which brought
comprehensive hearings on the sub
feet to a close late yesterday.
Summarizing the case for the Citi-
yens' Joint Committee on National
Representation, Paul E. Lesh
stressed that Washington, speaking
through its principal organizations,
is united in the desire to partlcl-
pate in the National Government,
with representation in the House
ard Senate and the right to vote in
presidential elections.
He emphasized at the same time
that even in considering the sep
srate question of voice in local
municipal affairs there is no desire
to have the Nation deprive itself of
the ultimate control Congress pos
sesses over the seat of National
Government.
Digest to Be Compiled.
Chairman McCarran, Democrat, of
Nevada. who presided at the hear
ings. said his first step would be to
have a digest made of the lengthy
record before calling an executive
session of the subcommittee to de-
iiberate on the action it will take.
Meanwhile. Wilbur S. Finch was
given until tomorrow to file sup
Elementary brief on behalf of the
Federation of Citizens ASSocla-
tions for inclusion in the printed
hearings.
Answering the arguments most
frequently advanced by opponents of
the movement. Mr.. Lesh denied that
the size of the colored population
constitutes a fair or valid reason
for withholding the ballot and gave
figures to refute the claim that
most of the adults in Washington
have voting status in the States.
In the closing hours of the hear
ings, the subcommittee also heard
Sidney Katz place the Maryland
District of Columbia Industrial
Union Council, a c. I. o. organiza-
ton. on record as being 'four-squar
for full and complete suffrage" He
said he favored national representa-
ton. but regarded local self-gov-
eminent as even more essential.
The subcommittee also heard sew
eral individuals on both sides of
the question. Frederick D. Shafer
testified he wanted some voice not
only in District affairs. but in the
National Government also.
Opposition Voiced.
Opposition to suffrage was regis
tered by Mrs. B. G. McIlwee, a resi-
dent of Manor Park, and by Herb
Sharp, who said he came to Wash
ington eight years ago from Spo-
kane.
David Whatley, also speaking as
an individual, suggested as an al
tentative plan, that Washingtonlans
be permitted to vote as Maryland
ers for members of the House and
Senate. and contended Congress
would have the power to pass such
legislation. AS originally intro
duced, the pending Capper-Sum-
ners constitutional amendment res
olution is two-fold in purpose-to
authorize Congress to grant ma
tional representation and to author
ize it also to delegate to a local
government "any or ALL of its pow
ers over the seat of government.
Several times during the hearings,
however. committee members have
questioned the use of such broad
language in referring to the dele
cation of congressional power. and
some of the leading advocates of
local suffrage have signifled will
ingness to have the local self-gov-
eminent feature eliminated from
the proposed constitutional amend
ment because they believe Con-
gress already has power to set up
q system of home rule.
Early in the hearings Representa-
tive Summers, Democrat, of Texas,
co-author of the resolution, shared
the view that Congress now has
power to give the District any form
of local government it could estab-
lish in a territory, like Alaska.
Drafted for United Front.
Mr. Lesh explained yesterday that
the two phases of the suffrage ques-
ton were joined in the pending
resolution in order to enable the
city to present a united front. AS
official spokesman for the Citizens
Joint Committee, Mr.. Lesh said, he
could only say that the many CITY,
wide organizations working with the
Joint Committee had Endorsed the
resolution in its present form.
He pointed out, however that Mr..
Finch, representing the District of
Columbia Suffrage Association
leading advocate of local self-gov-
ernment-had filed a very states
manlike statement" with the Senate
group, setting forth its contention
that Congress already has power to
deal with local government and
declaring its willingness to have that
question deleted from the constitu-