Evening star., 1960-04-06
LET Vote Issue
Stand Alone,
CeIIer Asks
House Committee
Open Hearing on
Optimistic Note
Continued From First Page
thirds vote in Congress and by
three -fourths of the States.
Supported by Witnesses

thirds vote in Congress and by
three -fourths of the States.
Supported by Witnesses
Mr.. Davis was the first of a
string of local witnesses banded
together in his committee to
testify, one after another, that
they would urge the Celler
amendment in the interest of
their major aim-to win ma
tional representation.
Members of Congress earlier
offered their advice as profess
sional lawmakers on how to win
passage. They left to disen-
franchiSed District residents
the arguments in defense of the
right of WashingtonianS as
Americans to vote.
Senators Keating, Republi-
can of New York, and Morse,
Democrat of Oregon, concen-
trated instead on the major
task of the subcommittee
wording a Constitutional
amendment and steering it
through Congress.
Representatives Multer, Dem
ocrat of New York, and Broyhill,
Republican of Virginia, united
behind the principle of national
suffrage although they were at
odds over the issue of an elected
municipal government.
Mr.. Broyhill insisted that
home rule was distinct and
separate question. Residence
in Washington should not pro-
hibit voting in national elec-
tions, Mr.. Broyhill maintained,
but residence alone should give
Washingtonians no right to
run the Capital regardless of
the wishes of all other citizens
to whom Washington belongs.
Sees Identical Principles
Mr.. Multer, sponsor of home
rule bills, argued that the prin-
ciple at stake in the national
and local vote was identical.
The hearing f1ared at one
point during testimony by Rep
reSentatiVe Multer.
Mr.. Multer, Straying now and
then into a discussion of home
rule, said more Democrats have
signed a petition to discharge
the House District Committee
from handling the bill.
Representative Miller, Repub-
llican of New York, charged Mr..
Multer had injected partisan
politics into the hearing" He
argued that a greater percent
tage of Rpuhhcans had signed
the recently passed House civil
rights bill. 4
Mr.. Multer asked that the
people of the District "be
given all their rights" which
would include the right to
govern themselves as well as
vote for President and Vice
President.
Mr.. Celler said that, if the
resolution under consideration
was enlarged to that extent, it
would involve us in a con-
troversy."
Quotes Cervantes
Then, quoting from the Span
iSh Poet Cervantes, he said by
the street of by and by you get
to the land of never"
Mr.. Celler did not share the
Multer view, although he per-
sonally supports home rule.
Il wish to emphasize that my
resolution does not conflict with
or have any bearing upon the
question of home rule for the
District of Columbia" Mr.. Gel
Ter said. This is not an either
or proposition My amend
ment provides for a vote in Fed
eral elections and representa-
tion in the House this bill is
not a home rule bill nor is it a
substitute for home rule"
He said the voteless status
of Washington citizens was in
congruous" in the light of these
facts.
l. The District, with $4,000
residents, has a greater popu-
lation than Is States, and a
greater number of Washingto-
mans served in World War II
than served from a third of
the States.
2. The District population
exceeds the combined popula-
ton of Alaska, Nevada and
Wyoming, three States repre-
sented by nine men in Con-
gresS.
3. The District pays more in
Federal taxes than revenue of .
25 States.
The denial stems from an
oversight or omission" in the
Constitution, Mr.. Celler en-
phasized. The. Constitution
does not prohibit voting by
District residents. 1t simply
provides machinery only for
States. I
Mr.. Celler pointed to a state
ment written by James Madi-
son in the Federalist to show
the intent of drafters was to
grant suffrage to all. Inhabit- |
ants of the new Federal city |
should, of course, have their
voice in the election of the
Government which is to ex-
ercise authority over them.
Congress exercises exclusive
authority.
Senator Heating and Repre-
sentative Celler, Senate and
House sponsors of resolutions,
pledged mutual support in the
drive for congressional clear
ance this session. Their pro-
poSals differ slightly.
The Senate-paSSed resolution
would give the District the
number of electors-probably
f1ve-to which the District
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