Evening star., 1924-07-11
D. c. VOTING PLEA
MADE TO GREETERS
Paul Lesh Tells Auxiliary
(: People Have Right to
L Voice in Government.
GO SIGHTSEEING TODAY
Officers to Be Elected by Women
Tonight-Have Supper at
.., Washington Hotel.

A plea for national representation
for the District of Columbia was made
by Paul E. Lesh, chairman of the
public school committee of the Wash
ington Board Of Trade, in an address
before the Ladies Auxiliary of the
Greeters CT America in the Raleigh
Hotel yesterday afternoon.
There may be arguments against
the control of the Nations Capital
there are no arguments against a
participation by citizens of Washing
ton in the government of the nation
of which they are a part" said the
speaker. TOO many people think
that suffrage for the District would
merely mean getting a share of con-
troll Of local affairs, but 1 think that
more emphasis should be placed upon
the desire of the people of the Dis
trict of Columbia to participate in
national affairs.
Affected by National Matters.
"A change in the income tax laws,
or a change in the tariff schedules, or
the enactment of prohibition laws for
the nation are as important to the
people of the District as changes in
our own local statutes relating solely
to the District of Columbia.
To-day it would be as simple, con-
venient and logical for the people
here to elect senator as it is for
senators to be elected and sent here
by the seven states that have popula-
trict of Columbia"
Criticising the commission form of
government for the District he said
"Considered from the point of view
curate to say that the city of Wash
ington is governed by three resident
COMM SSionerS. The Commissioners
tWho, by the way, are residents, but
We do not select them) have no legis-
lative authority whatsoever. no
power to levy taxes or appropriate
money and do not have the usual
powers of state executives They
nave only minor administrative func-
tions
"Only by having voice in Com
gress, which makes our laws, levies
our taxes and appropriates our
money, and in the selection of the
President, who appoints our judiciary
and appoints the Commissioners, sub
Ject to confirmation by the Senate.
can we have any true control over
even our own local affairs. Proposals
winch have been made for the cleo
ton of the Commissioners by the
., people, or the election of the school
board by the people of the District
or Columbia would give us only a pre-
tense OF a control over our own af-
fairs"
Convention Hears Lewis.
The mems branch of the Greeters
OF america were addressed by Cliff
iord Lewis of the Lewis Hotel Train
ing School. He said that Washington
I
centers.
The remainder of the program at
the mems session included brief ad-
dresses by Allen G. Hurst, winner of
ethlcs for the organization, and Rob-
ert Gould.
Late yesterday afternoon the ladies'
auxiliary announced the following
nominations for officers. the election
to be held at business meeting
tonight:
For president, Mrs. w. H. Holton
of Columbus: first vice president,
Mrs. Walter Adler of Pittsburgh, and
Mrs Tom Mansfield of New York
Wrightson of Baltimore, and Mrs.
Evelyn NJ. Conn of this city; sergeant
alarms, Mrs. William Cooper of St.
Louis; secretary and treasurer, Miss
Bertha Hodge of Denver, and dele
gates to the board of governors for
three years, Miss Greedy of Pitts
burgh, and Mrs. E. Newland Dallas of
Chicago.
Delegates are spending today on
a sightseeing tour. A wreath was
placed on the tomb of the Unknown
Soldier at Arlington, and this after
noon a wreath will also be placed on
the tomb of George Washington by
w. E. Difenbacher, president of the
Greeters. FIT. Myer and other spots
of historical interest in the Old
Dominion also are being visited.
The mems organization also will
hold a business session tonight.
Last night a supper was held at
the Washington Hotel.