Evening star., 1926-11-14

self. government without disturbing In
one iota the present form Of our local
government"
Labor Leader Speaks.
Mr.. McGrady laid emphasis on the
nofnt that while the various states
and the Federal Government are ap-
nropriating millions of dollars annu-
ally to Americanize and naturailze
aliens SO that they may become intel
ligent voters, this same Govern
ment denies one-half million Ameri-
cans. right in the heart OF the Ma
ton, the right of suffrage.
LOYAL citizens and off1clais OF ou1
country spend much time and energy
endaavoring to impress upon the peo-
nile the necessity of national enthusl-
asm and interest in the political a11alrs
of the nation, and the duty of citizens
to vote" said Mr.. McGrady. Ihey
realize the Government can only De
truly democratic when its cltlZens
have a keen, lively interest IN the
election and activities of their Id"
makers. In denying the citizens OF
the District of Columbia the rlgnl VI
franchise, their interest and enthusi-
asm in national political ai1alrs are
naturally deadened and they become
apathetic and stagnant in regard 10
is an unhealthy state for 500,OOO GU
izens of a democratic country.
"If taxation without representation
is tyranny, wha' do you think OF our
plight when tel. you that in 1876 the
District of Columbia paid into the
Federal Government $27 ,O65, ,oVo.o| III
taxes. This is more money than was
paid by 20 States and 2 Territories
Need Help of Voters.
Later in his address Mr.. McGrady
dec ared that, unfortunately, we
alone, are not in a position to correct
this great injustice.
And, therefore" he continued, I'VE
are appealing to you, our fellow Amer
leans who are listening, to give US
your aid. Americans have been ever
generous in responding to every cali
that is based on justice and you are
now being asked in the name OF JUS
tice to help he good people OF the
District Of Co;Gnbia in obtaining the
right of rep -esentation in their own
Congress You can aid us very mate
rally. So. we are earnestly asking
you to write to your Senators and to
your Congressman, requesting them
to cast their votes in favor of our
proposed amendment that will Amer
icanize 500, ,001 Americans living in the
District of Columbia"
Stephan Extends Greetings.
In closing the program, Gen.
Stephan briefly summarized the ap-
peal by extending friendly greetings
from the District of Columbia to the
invisible audience, which he addressed
as our comrades in peace, war and
the pursuit of happiness" He asked
that they "consider this cause as just,
in the interest of humanity"
John B. Daniel of the Radio Corpo-
ration of America. announcer for the
evening, presented the subject matter
of the program prior to introducing
Gen. Stephan. in part, as follows:
"For three quarters of century
the citizens of the District of Colum
bia have been waging a continuous
fight for rights of suffrage. The privi-
lege to vote is extended to all citizens
and immigrants who become eligible.
The people of Washington have no
political status whatever, but as citi
zens of the United States are called
upon to meet every obligation re-
quired of citizens in the 48 States.
With their destinies controlled by
others and without voice in either
local or national affairs. they are in
much the same position as the man
without a country. Few people In
the States understand these condi-
tions.''
The committee from the City Club
in charge of the program included
Gen. Stephan, Rudolph Jose, Henry
Stringer, Percy Mccoy and H. j..
Odenthal, executive secretary of the
club, who was in charge Of promotion
of the enterprise.