Evening star., 1925-01-07
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
FOR DISTRICT URGED
Jesse c. Suter, Federation
Head, Pleads for American
ization of Capital.

Americanization of Washingtonians
should be the paramount issue in the
minds of District residents, Jesse c.
Suter president of the Federation of
Citizens Associations, said at a meet
ing of the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association In st. Stephens Parish
Hall, Fourteenth street, last night.
I'VE should let it be known to vot-
ers in all sections of the United States
that we are well qualified to take care
of ourselves, and should be unrelent-
ing in our efforts to force upon Con-
eress recognition of our rights as
American citizens" Mr.. Suter declar-
ed. That lhe Districts voteless exist
enoe works to its disadvantage, he
said, is shown by the fact that mem
bcrs of both houses of Congress some
times make "scandalous" statements
concerning Washington with no one
present in authority to deny them.
Teachers Overworked.
Mr.. Suter referred to the poor show
ing made by some pupils in the public
schools and expressed it as his belief
that this was due TO the fact that the
teachers were compelled to take care
of too many children. The classes, he
said. should be based on a minimum
rather that a maximum number.
He stressed the need for modern
with the utilization of parking spaces
by push cart vendors on upper
Seventh street. These merchants"
he declared, after plying their trade
all day, place covers and lanterns on
the carts at night and allow them to
remain until opened for business the
reXt day. presenting sorry specta-
cles" TO visitors seeking to view the
beauties of the Nations Capital.
Cites Tax Exemptions.
Mr.. Suter cited items printed in a
report presented to the federation
recently where 1t was shown that out
of the $4,000 square acres of land
in the District of Columbia, 21,OOO
were tax exempt. This condition, he
said, would not exist were Congress
fair in its attitude toward the Dis
trict in paying taxes for its property
In a like manner with citizens.
William NICK. Clayton. chairman of
the public utilities committee of the
federation, gave a history of the
negotiations conducted by the fedora
tion and the Potomac Electric Power
Co. and the consequent decision of
the Public Utilities Commission that
the impounded fund held by the
Pepco be divided between power con-
sumers and the company. With fair
declared, there is no reason why the
rate of 71s cents per kilowatt hour
should not be reduced TO 7 cents, or
even less, within year or more.
Favor FIve-Year Building Plan.
Resolutions were adopted favoring
the five-year building program as out
lined by Superintendent Ballou of the
Board of Education and recommends
tions made that in the future when
plots are purchased for school pur-
poses sufficient land be obtained for
playground purposes. Erection of
model school and playground at
Fourteenth and ogden streets was
recommended. Approval was given to
the proposal to widen Park road from
Thirteenth to Sixteenth streets and
that the expense of the operation be
charged into the general rates rather
than assessed against abutting prop
erty owners. The Commissioners will
be requested to grade two triangular
plots at Thirteenth street and Kansas
avenue.
The association reiterated it's oppo-
sition to the lump-sum method of
Federal contribution toward District
expenses, and urged that contribu-
tions be proportioned to the val~ of
Government property in the District
ing to store records of the recorder of
deeds was stressed. Request will be
made for an up-to-dat motor pump
ing engine to replace the tractor en-
gine at No. IL Engine Company. ].
Clinton Hiatt, chairman, and H. c.
Phillips and George A. Ward were
appointed to urge upon the Commits
sioners the necessity for the engine.
Resolutions of gratitude were
adopted and will be sent to President
Coolidge, commencing him for his in
terest and stand taken in the rent and
housing situation in Washington. An
appropriation of S25 was voted to the
Commission on Public Welfare Asso
Citations. Mr.. Reed told of conditions
with regard to rentals and elections
in several apartment buildings, and
urged the support of this association
in thwarting the efforts of the own
ers to force the payment of higher
rents.
Representative Allard H. Gasque of
South Carolina, who was to address
the meeting, was unable to be present,
because of illness. President w. !.
SWanton presided.
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