Evening star., 1924-05-21
DECLARES APATHY
OF VOTER IS MENACE
Charles A. Baker Tells Kalo-
rama Citizens of Dangers of
Indifference.
PROTESTS CRAMTON PLAN
Association Adopts Resolution
Against Fiscal Change.

The menace to the United States gov
ernment today does not come from the
/. W. w. the Non-Partisan League and
like organizations. but from the indif
ference of men and women who are
best qualified to take their places III
active affairs of the country, Charles A.
Baker, president of the Federation of
Citizens Associations, said at meeting
"f the kalorama Citizens Association in
the Wyoming apartments last night.
Mr.. Baker cited conditions in certain
large cities where. he said. but il per
cent of the voting population of the
suburban section exercised their right of
suffrage. while i'll the darker sections
more than - per cent cast ballots.
which showed to the men elected by
these voters what class of people to
which they had to cater. IL this is TO be
a government OF the people. for the
people and by the people. he said every
eligible citizen must participate in at
fairs of state. He sire sSed the deSirabil-
Ity of teaching American citizenship.
Granting the vote to the District
would not be a great gift. he said. but
is something proper to expect. Suffrage
is a sacrament of religion. he said. and
TO allow children to grow up under this
voteleSS condition is an injustice border
ing on criminality. He fiayed the pro-
poSal to settle on lump sum rather
said that in full justice to the District
the $3.50 basis should be restored.
Hopes to Better schools.
To provide the republic with the
right sort of citizens, proper school
Facilities must be provided, he Sald,
and hoped the time would come soon
when there would be seat and desk
school building with high grade
teachers for every one who chooses
Ia take advantage of these facilities.
He urged the need for greater play
ground facilities and an extension OF
the public park system.
A. j. Driscoll of the Board of Trade
addressed the meeting on "Americani-
zation.' He pointed out that of the
81. 900 foreigners in the District, is
600 of them are unnaturalized. Every
one of them, he said should be receiv
ing education to fit them for citizen
ship. He urged the members of the
association to aid in the work OF ob-
tanning facilities for the teaching of
these aliens the funda amentalS of
America nism.
Protest Cramton Plan.
The association passed a resolution
opposing the action of Congress in
attempting to disturb the present
fiscal relation betwee the federal !
and District governments. j. W.
Murphy said he viewed with alarm
and grave miSgiving any attempt to
substitute a lump-Sum appropriation
for the 60-i0 ratio, which ratio. he
said is the only safeguard and pro-
lection for the defenseless residents
of the District.
The report of the committee on
streets and highways as adopted re-
quests the Commissioners to re-
surface or improve practically every
street in the kalorarna. section. The
bad condition of Connecticut ave-
nue.. Columbia road. 18th and 18th
streets is especially recommended
for immediate attention. Mrs. Ray
mond Morgan was indorsed for reap
rointment to the board of education.
President George A. Kicker an
nounced that the next meeting of the
association would be held on the reg
ular meeting night in September.