the burdensome details of running the affairs of the District, that they may be run by the people, for the people of the District. The parent-teacher associations and other civic groups are doing a tremendous job of erasing apathy and complacency, replacing them with informed citizens who are aware of their needs and their civic responsibility in helping to resolve them; thereby, providing for the Nation's Capital citizens who not only demand the right to govern themselves, but who demonstrate the ability to do it and have the intelligence to know that taxation without representation is not democratic. We thank you for this opportunity. Mrs. EARLEN S. GROGAN, President. WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM, Hon. J. C. DAVIS, Chairman, House District Subcommittee, DEAR SIR: The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom was founded in 1915 at The Hague by Jane Addams, at that time head of Hull House in Chicago, and a group of internationally minded women. The U.S. section is an international and interracial organization whose aim is to establish by democratic methods those political, economic, and psychological conditions which will assure that inherent rights of man and bring peace among them. It strongly advocates a domestic program based on fundamental freedoms and the civil rights of all individuals. It feels that democracy can be strengthened only by raising the standards of health, education, housing, and general living conditions for everyone. For that reason, the league believes that the disfranchisement of the people of the District of Columbia is a denial of the basic democratic principles which conceived the birth of this country and provided the inspiration for its preservation in times of stress. The league believes also that government of the District by its citizens would mean an improvement in their health, education, and general welfare. It would relieve those Members of Congress on the District Committees of hundreds of extra man-hours of work, releasing them, their energy and thought for the normally heavy responsibility that national legislators must carry during these times of crises in both our foreign and domestic relations. More basically important, however, is the fact that its realization would signify the right of the people of the Nation's Capital to prove their capacity-as their predecessors did until 1870-for self-government. We of the league dare to say that given such a challenge, District citizens would work more steadfastly to solve the serious housing, health, and cultural problems of which they are so keenly aware. The District area branch of the league, supported by the national organization and its branches in practically each State, therefore, urges you to bring out a home-rule bill, your own H.R. 4630, and give Congress a chance to vote on it. Though this bill has limitations that we wish were not a part of its provisions, we still feel that it would be a progressive step and furnish a flexible framework for future changes. It will, moreover, serve as a testament from the House of Representatives of its faith in the wisdom of the Founding Fathers. Respectfully submitted, Miss BERTHA C. MCNEILL, President. STATEMENT OF THE MOUNT PLEASANT NEIGHBORS' ASSOCIATION This statement is submitted by the Mount Pleasant Neighbors' Association, a civic group representing the citizens of Mount Pleasant, a residential area in northwest Washington, bounded on the south by Harvard Street, on the east by 16th Street, and on the west and north by Rock Creek Park. We welcome the opportunity to present our views on home rule. We urge that this issue be brought to the floor of the House as quickly as possible, so that it can be decided in the present session. In 1874, home rule was suspended temporarily in the District of Columbia. In the 85 years since then many Washingtonians have lived out their lives without knowing the sweet taste of freedom which comes from having and exercising the right to vote, although many have fought on foreign soil to guarantee that right to other's. The District of Columbia is faced with all the problems of urban life which have become so pressing in recent years, and in the solution of which we surely have the right to a voice. Among these problems, to mention only a few, are mass transportation, blighted areas, urban renewal and rehabilitation, crime, overcrowded schools, and recreation facilities. It is unfair to expect the Congress to attend to the administrative handling of these problems, and it is unfair to deprive us, the citizens of this city, of a say in their solution. There is a bitter irony in the fact that a Nation dedicated to the triumph of democracy throughout the world should deprive the citizens of its own Capital City of the right to self-government. We have less say in the management of our affairs than the Seminoles. The saying, "No taxation without representation," still stands as a profound truth of democracy, and it should be as true for the citizens of this city as for any people in the world. We, too, would claim the constitutional right to a "republican form of government." The Mount Pleasant Neighbors' Association urges that we be granted the right to elect a mayor and a council, so that we can most effectively manage our own civic affairs. We do not feel that we should be regarded as wards of the Federal Government, or as a yet undeveloped area. We feel, instead, that we should be entrusted with the same kind of control over our affairs as are the citizens of other major cities. We realize, of course, that this city has a unique relationship to the Federal Government, but we do not anticipate any greater difficulties arising from this fact than are experienced by other cities with large Federal installations, such as Oak Ridge, Tenn., or Denver, Colo., or by the 50 cities which are presently State capitals. As a second choice, if need be, we would accept territorial status, with an appointed governor, as a recognized first step to a fully elected government. A full voice in the management of our local affairs is our first priority. As a distinct and separate issue, we also hope that the necessary steps will be taken toward a constitutional amendment permitting us our right to a voice in national affairs. Local self-rule and national representation are not mutually exclusive goals, and should not be confused as alternatives. We recognize that the true "voice of the people" is hard to determine. Whether the people of Washington truly want self-rule can be ascertained by referendum. The Mount Pleasant Neighbors' Association is confident that the response will be overwhelmingly in favor of home rule. Once again we urge your prompt action in voting out a home rule bill for the citizens of the District of Columbia, who have wainted so long and so patiently for first class citizenship. EUGENE M. BAKER, President. WARREN W. MORSE, Vice President. HENRY SMITH, Treasurer. MARGARET WHITLOCK, Recording Secretary. SANDRA J. Cook, Corresponding Secretary. STATEMENT OF AVIS G. CARTER, PRESIDENT OF THE WOODRIDGE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION The Woodridge Parent-Teacher Association, an organization of 550 members, wants home rule. District residents want a change from taxation without representation. We that live in the District are entitled to promote and effect legislation for our own welfare. Woodridge is proud to join our fellow residents in the plea, "Home rule for the District of Columbia.” Thank you for this opportunity to speak for my organization. YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, July 28, 1959. Hon. JAMES C. DAVIS, Subcommittee No. 3, Committee on the District of Columbia, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: It is our understanding that your committee is holding hearings on home rule legislation for the District of Columbia. The Young Republican Club of the District of Columbia endorses and supports H.R. 4630. In the interest of expediting the reporting of this measure, we are not asking to testify. However, we respectfully request that the enclosed statement be included in the record of the hearings. Very truly yours, PRISCILLA DILKS, Chairman, Home Rule Legislation Committee. STATEMENT OF THE YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The Young Republican Club of the District of Columbia endorses and supports H.R. 4630 which provides for home rule and a nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives for the District of Columbia, and which is and has been advocated by the President and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. For many years, the Young Republican Club of the District of Columbia has supported legislation for home rule and has presented testimony at hearings held during previous sessions of Congress. At its regular meeting held on July 27, 1959, a resolution was passed reiterating this position. A copy of that resolution is attached. The Local self-government is a basic privilege of all American citizens. populace residing in the District of Columbia have been denied this right for 75 years. It is our belief that this large segment of our country's population here in the Nation's Capital should be given this privilege as well as further suffrage by permitting them to participate in the election of the President and Vice President. We earnestly hope you will recommend favorably the passage of H.R. 4630 to the House of Representatives. RESOLUTION OF THE YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUB OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, JULY 28, 1959 The District of Columbia Young Republican Club has been on record for years for home rule for the District of Columbia, featuring national franchise among other features. This club again stands by this position primarily, but also endorses the present bill pending before the House District Committee which was presented and endorsed by the Republican administration, H.R. 4630. AREA V COUNCIL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CONGRESS OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS, In re home rule for the District of Columbia. July 28, 1959. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House District Committee, I am Riddick H. Pree, legislative chairman of the Area V Council of the District of Columbia Congress of Parents and Teachers, representing the PTA's of some 44 elementary and junior high schools of the District of Columbia, comprising about 8,600 people. This group of persons, together with several thousand more represented by these groups before this august body, feel the pressing urgency of imploring the Members of Congress to extricate themselves from the burden of administering the affairs of state over this portion of the Nation which has become to be known as a stepchild of democracy. The people of the District yearn to be citizens, not subjects. With this in mind, we now ask that attention be devoted to legislation that would give the people of the District of Columbia a right to govern themselves in a manner akin to that used in every State and municipality in these great United States of ours. Citizens of these States are shocked and appalled to learn that there are persons in the United States who have no right to vote, no chance to govern themselves, or to administer policy related to their own affairs. They look with sympathy at the apathy exhibited by the Nation's legislators where this grave matter is concerned. Our Founding Fathers shed blood for principles such as this to guarantee those fundamental and God-given rights to voice opinions and govern and be governed by one's peers. As one of the major segments of the District of Columbia Congress of Parents and Teachers, which organization of itself and as a total unit represents more than 45,000 parents of children and those interested in the welfare of children, the Area V Council speaks out against a system of ruling or sovereignty which practices taxation without representation and in the name of equity and good conscience plead, implore, admonish, and request that due and proper consideration be given the populace of the District of Columbia in this matter of selfgovernment. This is an issue which has lain dormant for too long a period of time and an issue which can ill afford to be bypassed. If our Nation is to be guided expertly and judiciously, all of its populace must have the unquestioned privilege of meting out those policies which go to make the unit of States a better unit, the body of States a greater Union. We Second-class citizenship has no place in the accelerated atomic and space program in this international race for space domination and supremacy. have finished many years ago those wars in which we fought for freedom from oppression. We are through with those wars extinguishing slavery and denial of citizenship by reason of race or national origin. Voteless citizens are not citizens. The nations of the world look to the decisions that American lawmakers pass upon. At the very heart of this Nation is that principle of denying the people of this Capital City that right to rule themselves within the limitations of their own group. A hearing scheduled at this time is a demonstration of apathetic procedure by our lawmakers who seek to forestall and check measures granting the people of the District the inherent rights our Constitution say must not be denied. A hearing at this season of the year and nearing the close of a congressional session will find the more stanch and able supporters of this measure away from home, on vacation, or about other duties granting them leave from our Capital City. This appears to be what was in the minds of the promulgators of strategists on this measure. So important and vital, so logical and plausible is the argument in favor of home rule that this body dares to say that the opposition to this is untimely and racist. We dare to say it is purely and patently illogical and utterly shortsighted. Our organization wants to know: How long must this ante bellum suppression go on? Citizenship for the District of Columbia is more than long overdue in view of the job that the parent-teacher associations have done and are doing to eradicate the contented and complacent attitude of District of Columbia taxpayers and supplant such with well-informed and wide awake citizens who now are keenly aware of their civic, economic, and educational needs and their responsibilities under a democratic form of government. To have a workable form of self-government would mean that those persons who have, at one time or another, resided in the District of Columbia and for personal reasons have thought it expedient to leave, would return in great numbers to a city which represents the sum total of democracy in action. Self-government would mean better economy for business, industry, and trade. More important, self-government means better schools and educational facilities. Better schools mean better citizens. There is an omnipresent need for better citizens. Home rule for District residents could go far in making this real rather than a nebulous concept out of reach of all. We, the people of the District of Columbia, realize that all our cries do not fall on sympathetic ears, but it is with appreciation for the opportunity to express our views about this matter that we voice our feelings by our presence in this hearing room and our tangible presentations. Although Members of the Congress are representatives from other States, it is felt that a tremendous job has been done in solving some of the problems of the District, and feel further that to have men from other States administer to the District of Columbia is to needlessly burden them with problems using time and energies that could be turned to broader affairs of state affecting a greater number of people. We want to vote in order to free Members of Congress from the yoke of added burdens involved in making policy for people in a city now "grown" enough to administer and prescribe for their own needs. The District of Columbia can accept and carry the responsibility that goes hand in hand with self-government. All we ask is the opportunity to prove this fact and at the earliest possible time. Gentlemen, this is not the age of tyranny. Parents, teachers, children, economists, and all others decry the credo of taxation without representation and shout as one: "No more tyrants. Let's give the District of Columbia home rule and the opportunity to become citizens first class." With thanks for the opportunity to be heard and, we hope, listened to. RIDDICK H. PREE, Chairman, Legislative Committee. STATEMENT OF MISS EULA JAMES, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LEGISLATION, WOMEN'S ALLIANCE, ALL SOULS' CHURCH, UNITARIAN I am presenting this statement as a representative of the more than 300 women who constitute the membership of the Women's Alliance of All Souls' Church. As women residing in the Nation's Capital, we have a burning desire for the rights and privileges guaranteed to American citizens under the Constitution. We suport the bill for home rule because we see in it a promise of full citizenship for those people who live in the District of Columbia. The fact that the District had home rule until it was "temporarily" taken away in 1874 indicates to us that the Founding Fathers expected citizens here to have the same right to govern themselves as people residing in the several States of the Union now have. We feel that the right to vote is one of the most precious privileges of a democracy and that it, indeed, distinguishes a democracy from dictatorships. We believe that citizens of the District of Columbia should be able to determine by their own votes how and for what purposes they will spend the funds collected as their taxes. Surely, we know better than anyone else what our needs are. We hope that this bill will soon be reported favorably in the House of Representatives where the full membership will have opportunity to vote on it. WASHINGTON, D.C., July 25, 1959. Hon. JAMES C. DAVIS, House District Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CONGRESSMAN: The Washington Bar Association hereby endorses H.R. 4630, the Moulter home rule bill. Although we prefer the Senate's version, we endorse H.R. 4630 because we believe that it has a better opportunity to pass. We take this method of endorsing the bill because we believe that we would be playing into the hands of opponents of home rule if we were to prolong the hearings by giving oral testimony. In these circumstances, we believe that we should not appear and allow the hearings to become a farce and a maneuver to defeat the discharge petition. Very truly yours, E. LEWIS FERRELL, Chairman, Board of Directors, Washington Bar Association. STATEMENT OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN, WASHINGTON, D.C., SECTION The National Council of Jewish Women, a national organization numbering over 100,000 women in 240 communities in the United States, has since 1923 reaffirmed its belief in self-government and national representation for the citizens of the District of Columbia. At our recent national convention, held in February 1959, the following resolution was unanimously approved: "To support measures granting representation in Congress, self-government, and suffrage to the citizens of the United States residing in the District of Columbia." |