Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-24
CITIZENS DEBATE
VOICE IN CONGRESS
Georgetown Group Delays
Decision on Representation
After Sharp Discussion.

A resolution to place the Georgetown
Citizens Association on record as in en-
tire accord with the program to enact
legislation allowing the District OF
Columbia national representation did
not receive sufficient support at meet
ing held last night by the association
in the Potomac Savings Bank. and the
motion was tabled and held over until
the next meeting after the consensus
of opinion held that such course OF
action should be by unanimous consent.
The resolution as tabled carried an
amendment which stated that "the
GEORGETOWN Citizens Association con-
dennis any effort TO change the exist
ing form oil cola city government.
which had been proposed by Mai. Gen.
w, NJ. Black. former Engineer Commits
sioner. who vigorously opposed local
suffrage.
A lengthy controversy was opened
when John H Small. former Representa-
tive. attempted to place the Georgetown
Citizens Association on record as favor
ing national representation when he
introduced the following resolution
BE it resolved. That the Georgetown
Citizens Association hereby express 1t
self in harmony with the efforts 10 oo-
tain an amendment 10 the CONSTITUTION
giving the District Of Columbia national
representation. but defer action on iocal
suffrage until after this has been &C
complShed.
Hits Political Phase.
The injection of party politics into
affairs of the District OF Colulnola'
which Gen. Black stated would be the
result of the granting OF local Suffrage
was condemned. and he stated that poll
tics do very little 10 advance the ma
.erial welfare of a city. regardless OF
rho holds the political control: neither
party can be regarded as an asset 10 the
people We have good government
not the wisest, but the most honest
and the citizens OF this city maniles'
,lore personal interest in 1t than IN any
other city know" He then offered an
amendment which changed the original
resolution so as TO oppose any form OF
local self-government. with or without
national representation.
The opposition to all forms OF SUI
frage was voiced by John H. Doyle.
who said that, las one who has Wit
messed the vote and the scandals u the
sfeatherduster legislature and the con-
SANITY recurring petty politics when
we instruct delegates to the national
conventions every four years. do not
think the beautiful City of Washington
should be trespassed upon by local suf-
frage."
Rejection Defeated.
Mr.. DOYLE then offered a motion
which tabled the resolution and subse-
cuently attempted TO introduce and have
passed a motion to have the associ-
alton reiterate its stand of two years
ago against all forms of suffrage, local
or national representation. but this was
heavily defeated.
The association favored the passage
OF the Zilhman bill to increase the pay
of several employees of the fire and police
department of the District of Column
bia. and also went on record as ap-
proving legislation now before Congress
for the abatement of smoke nuisance
In Washington.
j. Edward Potter director of the ey-
tension service OF the Associated Char
tiles. addressed the meeting and out
lined the various phases of the work
of the Associated Charities and the
progress OF their relief campaign. re-
Mobilization and preventive measures.
His address vas illustrated with Ian
tern slides
DR.. Elmer S. Newton, principal OF
Western High School. also addressed the
meeting briefly.
The association received the follow
ing new members: Henry @. Croker.
Alexander w. Mash. Robert z. Aud
and Robert z. Lee Scott
Isaac 3. Nordlinger. president, pre-
xtdfd.