Evening star., 1946-10-25
Tydings Approves
PIebiscite, Reaffirms
Suffrage Principle

0ClidkoA aAAAeot SSAAASNN@et -
Maryland, member Of the Senate
District Committee, today gave his
approval to both the forthcoming
District plebiscite on Election Day,
and to the principle of votes for the
District.
In a telegram to The Star, he
declared: "I approve the plebiscite,
for I have always been in favor of
suffrage for the District Of Colum-
bia."
Senator Tydings has been a prom
inent and active member Of the
District committee. He Is co-author
Of the Hospital Center Act for con-
struction of new hospital to COM
bine three big institutions here:
Emergency, Garfield and Episcopal
Hospitals.
Sasscer Favors Poll.
Representative Sasscer, Democrat,
Of Maryland, whose district includes
nearby Prince Georges County, came
out in favor of the referendum.
In a statement to The Star, he
said:
1.-THE unofhcial plebiscite In af-
fording an opportunity, for the peo-
Pile Of the District of Columbia to
express themselves on the matter Of
both local and national suffrage
gives needed opportunity to the
residents to demonstrate whether or
not they wish suffrage, and some
form of self government. If the vote
is in the Affirmative, these privileges
should not be denied them under our
democratic form of government. It
is difficult to justify withholding
same from any community when it
has so expressed its desire in matters
Of taxation and other local govern
ment functions.
"The need Of having these passed
on by direct representatives of the
people affected has been frequently
demonstrated in Congress, where
legislation of purely local nature
for the District of Columbia often
is influenced, either consciously or
unconsciously, by unrelated condi-
tions in distant congressional dis
tricts."
Others Join in Support.
Congressional comment also came
from other parts of the country in
response to a telegraphic poll by
The Star.
Representative McDonough, Re-
publican, California: "I would favor
referendum as member of the
House District Committee. I be-
lieve the District of Columbia should
have the right to vote on candidates
for local and national Offices"
Representative Adams, Republi-
can, New Hampshire: Predict re-
suits of plebiscite will disclose prac-
tically unanimous sentiment for
privilege of voting in national elec-
ton. This privilege ought not to
be denied the people of Washing
ton. Congress should provide for an
appropriate city manager plan for
administration Of city government,
thus relieving itself of routine de-
tails and providing for efficient ad-
ministration of the business of local
government"
Senator Buck, Republican, Della
ware: Glad to know plebiscite Is
to be conducted. Returns are cer-.
tain to show an eager demand for
what is an Americans greatest priv
ilege, the right to vote
Heartily Indorsed."
Representative Fulton, Republi-
can, Pennsylvania: Believe every
one in the country should have the
privilege and responsibility of voting,
as that Is basis of democracy. Why
not you?"
Representative Bradley, Republi-
can, Michigan: Heartily indorse
your plebiscite Personally I
have long felt citizens of Washing
ton were entitled to their vote. I
believe they should certainly be en-
titled to their own local government
officers, and that District affairs
should be taken out of the Congress,
many members of which far too
often show too little interest in their
responsibilities connected Herewith,
and therefore do not give it the
attention which it deserves.
Il feel, however, that Washing
ton and the District is not entitled
to a representative vote in either
House or Senate. Possibly it should
be included in the congressional
representation of the State of Mary
land, and if so be accorded its due
share of congressional and sena-
torial national voting privileges,
which would favor"