Evening star., 1945-09-25

Nation through Congress of what
remains of the 10 miles square
ut does not disturb in any way
the financial relations of the Nation
and the Capital. 1t is not compli-
Gated with changes in the municipal
government of the District.
On the question of speedy enact
ment of this constitutional amend
ment, I believe that nearly all
Washingtonians agree. The fear
that Congress will not act quickly
upon it and that the justice which
it proposes will long be postponed
moderates local enthusiasm in re-
spect to it
Unofficial Poll Cited.
Mr.. Suter turned to the unofficial
referendum held here April 80. 1888,
as a clear indication of the desire
of voteless District residents to par
ticipate in their national Govern
ment
This plebiscite brought more than
SO 800 voters" to the SO polling
places. to vote for or against two
simple questions-local suffrage and
national representation. On the
question of election of local officials
the vote was 7 to l in favor. and
national representation was favored
by l3 to vote
1T is very doubtful" Mr. Suter
said, ''if regular franchised COM
munilies, with all of their election
machinery and the whip of organ
lied parties. would have made
greater demonstrate of expressing
public sentiment
The number OF District residents
now is so large-663,0 ,09l by the 1910
census and 926,250 according to the
census estimate for July !. l944-
that their claims can no longer be
ignored, Mr.. Suter declared.
Called Basic Right.
National representation is a dis
tinctive basic right of the American
citlzen-in government of the
people, by the people, for the people
in a government which roots its
Justice in consent Of the governed
in a representative government
which inseparablv couples taxation
and military service with represen-
alton Mr. Suter continued.
Since the 926,260 Americans Of
the District pay national taxes, obey
national laws and go to the Nations s
defense. they are entitled on Amer
lean principles to be represented in
the National Government which
taxes them. which makes all laws
for them and which sends them to
war"
But the oversight of the founders
OF the Republic, he said. leaves the
District resident in an entirely diff
ferent situation.
In relation to national laws" he
continued. the sole function of the
District residents is to obey. They
take no part in making the laws
which they must obey.
I'm relation to national taxes,
their sole function is to pay. They
have nothing to say. like other tax
payers, concerning the amount and
kind of taxes they shall pay ano
how the tax money shall be spent.
Obedience Sole Function.
''1n relation to national war. their
sole function is TO fight in obedience
to command. They have no voice
like other Americans. In the coun-
ellis which determine war and peace.
They have no representation in the
Government which requires them to
fight. bleed and perhaps to die"
The text of the Sumner -Capper
resolution follows:
The Congress shall nave power to
provide that there shall be in the
Congress and among the electors of
President and Vice President men,
bers elected by the people of the
District OF Columbia constituting
the seat Of the Government of the
United States, in such numbers and
with such powers as the Congress
shall determine. All legislation here
under shall be subject to amend
ment and repeal"
Earlier this year the Summers
Capper resolution won the support
Of A Senate Judiciary Subcommit-
tee, but the House Judiciary Com
mittee voted, 8 to 7. against report
Ing the measure, presumably be-
cause the Senate Judiciary Com
mittee announced It's intention not
to consider proposed constitutional
amendments during the war. This
policy has been reversed since the
peace with Japan.
British and American planemakers
are competing for the Turkish mar
ket.