Evening star., 1946-10-21
Senator Hatch Backs
PIebiscite, Regrets /
Is Not an Election

lis Not an tIecnOn
Senator Hatch, Democrat, New
Mexico, author of the Hatch Act
which prohibits certain political
activities by Federal employees, to-
day came out in favor of the plebis-
cite here November on District
suffrage.
The legislators message, by tele-
gram to The Star, bolstered claims
of plebiscite leaders that Federal
employees may cast ballots on elec-
ton day here without fear OF vio-
lating the Hatch Act.
The New Mexico Senator has
been a champion of the Summers
Capper resolution in the Senate. He
Is chairman of the Judiciary Sub
committee which favorably report
ed the resolution for national rep
resentation. He once predicted the
measure would get Senate approval
if brought to vote.
i The resolution proposes an amend
ment to the Constitution to author
ize Congress to grant the District
elected and voting representation IN
Congress. It also gives the District
a voice in presidential elections.
Senator Hatch's message was one
of many received by The Star IN q
telegraphic poll of a cross-sectlon
of Congress.
IT certainly do favor the plebis-
cite" Senator Hatch said. 1T Is
matter of regret to me that while
the rest of the Nation votes in gen.
uine elections, District residents can
only participate in a plebisclte.
Nevertheless, such plebiscite, If en-
Enthusiastically entered into, may pe q
strong means of expressing the voice
and will of Washingtonians."
Among other statements received
were these:
Representative Price, Democrat, OF
Illinois: "Wholeheartedly lndorse
plebiscite. ""s No single American,
for any reason, should be denied the
right of suffrage, certainly RESIDENTS
of our Nations Capital should have
equal voice with the people OF the AZ
States in national affairs"
Representative Lands, Republi-
can, of Indiana: Il have always
been in favor of the citizens OF the
District of Columbia taking part IN
local and national elections.
Representative Andrews, Republl-
can, of New York: II favor refer
endum and plebiscite.
Representative Kearney, Repubn-
can, of New York: II certainly
wholeheartedly indorse plebiscite.
1t is time for action and Congress
should pass favorable legislation In
Eightieth Congress"
Representative Howell, Republl-
can, of Illinois: "I personally favor
proposals for both local and national
suffrage for the District of Colum-
bia."
Representative Dondero, Repub-
Iican, of Michigan: II do not think
that I should inject my opinion one
way or another in this question. I
have always believed in conforming
to the wishes of the people Of the
District, and if they vote over
whelmingly for suffrage, perhaps 1t
should be granted"
Representative Kopplem a n n,
Democrat, of Connecticut: Il
heartily indorse the plebiscite. . =
I hope that the results will reveal an
overwhelming desire on the part OF
the District residents for local and
national suffrage"
Representative Savage. Democrat,
of Washington: Greatly interest
ed in proposed unofficial plebiscite.
. This should serve to bring the
voteless condition in the Nations
Capital to the attention OF the
American people. To continue to
deny the ballot to the citizens Of
Washington is blot on our democ-
racy."
Representative Priest, Democrat,
of Tennessee: Having favored suf-
frage for the District Of Columbia
for a number of years I strongly
indorse plebiscite. = 1t Is my
hope that proposals for both local
and national suffrage will be ap-
proved by heavy majorities."
Representative Lawrence H. Smith,
Republican, of Wisconsin: II favor
plebiscite. It will be a good
thing for the Congress to know how
the people of Washington feel about
this matter"
Representative Cole, Republican,
of Kansas: 'I indorse wholehearted-
| ly plebiscite for vote on suffrage
for District Of Columbia"
Representative Havenner, Demo-
crat. of California: Think it Is ex-
cellent idea to conduct unofficial
plebiscite on election day. /
have no doubt the outcome OF this
plebiscite will have impol tant in
f1uence on future, congressional
action"