Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-15
Vote, Representation for DC.
Cain Support on Capitol Hill

Committee is an amendment
proposed by Representative
Broyhill, Republican Of Vir-
ginia, also a House District
committeeman.
AS members of the District
Committee, these men are hear
ing witnesses on % bills unre-
lated to the amendment. The
bills, varying in details, call for
establishment of two major
alternate kinds of local gov
ernment-a territory with a
presidentially appointed gov
ernor, or an elected assembly
or a mayor-city council system,
with all officials locally elected.
Passed by Senate
The Senate has passed the
mayor city council bill.
/ Mr.. McKelway. the first wit
ness to oppose the home rule
bills, said denial of suffrage to
American citizens living in
Washington was "indefensible. "
But he insisted the right way
to give Washingtonians a voice
in their Government was
through representation in Con-
gress, which exclusively con-
trolls the city. and a vote for
President and Vice President.
The wrong way is through
home rule, he said. 1t would
attempt to separate the local
and national interest in the
Capital. he maintained, and
those interests are indivisible.
Mr.. McKelway said he found
it 'ironical" that consideration
was being given by Congress to
a constitutional amendment to
kill poll taxes, which remain in
only five States. Yet there is a
great hesitancy to put some
permission in the Constitution
for District residents to vote,
he said.
Inactivity Explained
why don't these people ir
the District, particularly those
who wore costumes and tea
bags and waved flags up here
on the opening day of oul
home rule hearings, work hare
and sweat for a constitutional
, amendment" asked Represent.
, alive Abernethy.
Mr.. McKelway replied that g
sort Of poison, stemming from
denial of a vote, had "paralyzec
; nearveS that ordinarily excite
a burning sense of indignation
. in free men,"
Americans in this American
capital. after all these years
are still governed without theil
consent, are still taxed without
representation, are still con-
signed to a degrading statu;
of semi-citizenship," he pointed
out. This condition must be
the effect of s"~ne insidious
poison. 1t is not normal"
Mr.. McKelway said he be-
lieved people in the District
who favored home rule un.
doubtedly would favor national
representation. But they have
the impression that it is very
difficult to amend the Consti-
tuition, he added.
Il can assure them I will
support it," Mr.. Abernethy said
II will testify for, them. I CAM
understand the apparent lack
of interest"
Fears for Payment
Mr.. Davis, speaking for the
Board of Trade, stressed thai
national representation was thu
only real home rule. For some
"unaccountable eason," HI
said. amendments have Ian,
guished in Judiciary Commit
tees since a hearing in 1854.
He warned that the annua
Federal payment to the Distric
currently $25 million-woulC
be lost to a local government
drifting away from Fedora
control.
II don't think residents woulC
make up that money in loca
taxes" he said. II don't thinl
they could economically"
He predicted that under hom
rule, residents would incur
large bonded Indebtedness be
cause operating costs of
purely local government woul,
increase as Federal service
decreased.
IT, I;.AaI 90 1900 L.. ,,,1.; -