Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-09-10
SUFFRAGE
Continued From First Page

three presidential and vice
presidential electors. the num-
lber to which the District would
be entitled were 1t a State.
Variations offered by wit
lnesses would:
Give the District representa-
Ition like a State in both the
Senate and the House.
Voting Right Specified
Write into the amendment
that House delegates could vote
rather than leaving that to the
discretion Of Congress.
Grant Congress more sweep
ling powers to decide how many
delegates the District could put
in Congress. as well as whether
they could vote.
Robert E. Mclaughlin, presi-
Ident Of the Board of Commits
sioners. favored the amend
ment as written. But he
suggested it would be prefer
able" If amended to provide
the people with voting repre-
sentation In both houses Of
Congress.
Taking issue was e. X. Nor
ris, president of the Board of
Trade, who listed himself as a
strong supporter. too. He
argued that Congress should
be allowed to adjust District
representation to future popu-
lation changes.
do you really think it is
wise to leave to Congress how
much representation you should
have?" asked Senator Kefauver.
would you be in a wrangle
all the time? What II a Dis
trict representative voted the
wrong way-would Congress
take away his vote?"
Board Of Trade Spokesman
maintained Congress properly
should hold such power. The
CONSTITUTION charges Congress
Exclusively to legislate for the
District. they pointed out.
support by Senators
Senators were among their
own best witnesses for the vote.
Senator Heating said he was
sympathetic to Senate repre-
sentation but figured chances
of Senate passage better on
the amendment, as written.
From Senator LANCER, Re
publican Of North Dakota,
came q commentator for the
Hearings, although, he said,
mo hearings are necessary. We
all know this is the right thing
to do, and the quicker the bet
ter"
Senator Randolph. Democrat
of West Virginia, said he was
privileged to fight again for the
kind of suffrage amendment he
| first sponsored in 1888. He
headed the House District Com
mittee as q Representative.
/ Russian Premier Khrushchevl
win be visiting people in WASH
lington with less voice In their
government than the people Of
Moscow, Senator Randolph
declared. An election process is
loffered Russians, although men
and women born in Washing
ton have yet to vote. he added.
Senator Beall preferred one
House delegate to three. But he.
like all other witnesses. was
willing to accept what the sub
committee judged wise and
practical.
An author Of bills to set up
an elected municipal govern
ment, Senator Case sent O.
statement insisting he was con-
WINGED that the only true self
government must be rooted
Through a constitutional
amendment. The constitutional
grant to Congress of "exclu-
sive' legislative power over the
Capital city always will be a |
stumbling block to home rule
Legislation, he said.
Both Possible
Senator Kefauver echoed
sentiments of witness after wit
ness that national representa-
ton and home rule were mott
either or" propositions. WASH
ingtonians are entitled to al
national vote and a say in local
affairs, he claimed.
The Presidents letter was
signed by David w. Kendall,
special counsel to the White
House, who wrote the Presi-
dent had asked him to deliver
the message on Mr.. Eisen-
hower's behalf.
The 1856 Republican plat
form stated for the Republican
Party: We favor self-govern-
lment, national suffrage and
representation in the Congress
of the United States for the
residents Of the District Of
Columbia
THE 1856 Republican plat
form has been and continues to
be strongly supported by thej
President" the letter said.
| Senator Kefauver noted the
Democratic platform backed
national representation, too.
To become effective, the suf-
Ifrage amendment would have to
be approved by two-thirds of
Senators and House members
voting and by three-quarters Of
the State legislatures seven
years after submission by Con-
Igress.
A locally elected government
could be set up by simple leg
Ilation. Yet, five such home rule
bills passed by the Senate in
the last decade have failed to
Iclear the House.
A Senate-passed bill to create
Ian elected mayor and city
l1A...ant1 &C.,. 80 rwA....,s.... ~~.k d