Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-08
CITIZENS POSTPONE
SUFFRAGE ISSUE
Bitter Fight Arises Over
Local Vote and National
Representation.

frage in the DlStriCt or Iotuu-pia duu
a minority report against It, aud send
ing them both back 10 all the citizens
associations for early action and re-
port, the Federation of Citizens As
socia tions last night. after bitter
fiyh- defeated a prop1sal To commit
to the associations the question oil
national representation.
The federation approved lin prin-
ciple the Baumes law. and went ON
record i'm favor of higher salaries tor
the District Commissioners. extension
OF the branch library system in the
District and free text hooks for hiSh
scnuoiS. but diSapproNed the proposNd
com,ulSmy automobile insurance. !
and proposal To collect the personal
property tax on automobiles at the |
time of acquiring tags
Debate r. Bitter.
Bitterness characteristics much OF /,
the debate over the local suffrage anu |
national representation questions
Charges of petty politics were |
hurried and denied.
The local suffrage issue was raised !
when H. III. Frampton. chairman of
a special committee, submitted ma.
io.<ty, report. which was confe sted /
by minority report against suffrage i
Hie0 ny Df. n a. &uCudS.
The ma jority report approved local
suffrage. election of the board of edu.
cation and ~council." both OF which |
should serve without pay. They
should have such powers las Congress
NAV see fit TO confer upon II.
DIR. Chenay's report referred To the
deSirability of. national representa-
ton. but opposed the vote for purely
local offices.
both reports,
Fight On Representation.
A fight then broke loose on whether
to refer hack also to the citizens as
sociatiuns. the question OF national
representation. William Mex Clay. |
ron. and DIR. George c. Havenner led |
the drive 10 have the question referred |
to the associations. while Jesse =. |
Suter. chairman of the standing red
Grafton committee on national rep
reservation opposed such a reference. |
CLAYTON and Havenner then attempt |
ed to withdraw their motion. but on !
a rnIiny of j. G. YadeB,, chairman. |
that the previous question had pre-. |
vented their withdrawal. the motion |
was defeated. -
CLAYTON ana Havenner defended |
local suffrage.
Suter. announcing that a hearing |
would he held before the House |
judiciary committee the latter part OF
this month on the constitutional I
amendment setting up national repre-
sentation in the District. asked that !
the federation do nothing which |
might assume an attitude OF uncer-
talnty.' such as sending the question !
of representation back To the associa-
tons for vote might imply.
Sees Gain In Drive.
He declared his committee felt much .
encouraged over the outlook for ma.
tional representation. There had
been two favorable reports on the
question from the Senate Judiciary /
committee, he recalled. and now the
local proponents OF the movement |
were going before the House commit.
tee armed with reinforcements from /
the councii OF State Legislatures.
whIEil- were prepared to assist
Already. Suter said. there were pc |
titisns before Congress In the name |
Of The FedeEation Of Citizens, Asso. /
ciations asking for national representa- /
ton, and he asked that no action OF |
any kind be taken by the federation. |
al least until after the hearing.
Delegate G. II. Spencer Of the
Washington Society Of Engineers
took a rap 81 what he termed petty /
politics la the federation. threatening /
that unless such tactics were stopped
"a steam roller il going TO be run |
can get something done"
Asks Condemnation Change.
II am 10 favor OF national repre- !
sentation.7 said DIR. Hayenner. lat the !
Same time ] am In favor Of local !
suffrage"
The committee on local suffrage. on |
motion OF Delegate r. y. Strobei, was |
made a regular standing committee. |
Delegates applauded The words OF |
Chairman Framptsn Of the commit !
tee when he declared:
Suffrage In the shield. the sword. |
the spear. and all the panopiy that |
best befits a man for his own defense |
in the great social organism 10 which !
he belongs"
importance Of pending legislation !
for reyoiutionizing the condemnation |
Of property procedure I'm the District
was emphasized by Thomas r. Lodge, |
chairman Of the law and legislation
committee. In q report In which he
asked additional lime to study the
various proposals before bringing in
findings. President Yaden comment.
Ing on this subject declared II @as
probably one Of the most importan ut
matters pending today 10 the District
Of Columbia"
Promises ''fsanmes' Law.
President Yaden announced he had
been in communication with Rep.
resentauve u. II. Stalker Of New
York. wfgs had promised to introduce
a BE uues" isw for the District iH
case organized citizenry desired H.
Recommendation Of the law and
legislation COMMITTEES against coupui
sorry automobile insurance until IL has
had more extensive trial In operation
and unless property damage were In
einoed In addition to personal dam
age, was approved by The federation
new highway code for protection
OF ins and property win be forthroni.
Ing ia shout two weeks. Lodge re
ported, suggesting the federation
await this scientific study fran the
department Of Commerce end The
Thanfser Of Commerce. 0f the tinted
States.
The free high school tsst hook
project. school officials estimate. wonid |
cost sz5s.etto The fifst year and s5s,69e
the second year.
Dr. HSyenpeF. chairman Of the
highway committee. reported paving !
wRs projected for New York avenue |
between Florida and West Virginia /
avenues. snd the avenue would be
open IT. entire length ia 1929. under |
present plans, His committees favored /
The revised highway plan for ca
tension Of MafyIa nd avenue.
A question involving new en
francs - Rock Creek Park from til.
I,sBey Branch association. went back |
10 the committee for consideration
along with n pending petition fam
another sEsncia ton.
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