Evening star., 1929-12-19
CAPITAL SUFFRAGE
MOVE INCREASING
Sentiment Over Nation
Shown in Reports to Exec
utive Committee.

night at the meeting of the executive
committee of the Citizens Joint Com.
mittee on National Representation al
the home of Theodore w. NoyeS, chair
man.
Marked by lengthy report by Jesse
c, Suter, vice chairman of the
citizens Joint committee, in which was
reviewed the activities of the joint
committees headquarters personnel
during the past Summer, the meeting
heard addresses showing that the Dis.
trict's plight had inspired not only
Nation wide support, but the sympathy
of far-off Japan.
Woman speakers at last nights meet
ing declared that women's organizations
are taking increased interest in the
work of the citizens joint committee
and that through them more voting
supporters of national representation
for the District were surely to be
obtained.
Work Is Reviewed.
In his report, Mr.. Suter reviewed the
establishment of the joint committee'l
Headquarters i'll The Evening Star
Building last June and the correspond
ence campaign which was carried on
during the 1929 Summer months from
that Office. Prior to the Summer cam
paign, Mr.. Suffers report showed, the
only national supporters of national
representation for the District We're the
Chamber of Commerce OF the United
States, the American Federation OF
Labor, the National League Of Women
Voters, National Retail Coal Merchants
Association and the American Fedora
ton Of Soroptimist Clubs. Through the
Summer campaign, the following were
added to the list, the vice chairman's
report set forth: International Typo
graphical Union, National Federation OF
Federal Employees, and the National En-
campment, Veterans of Foreign Wars OF
the United States.
It was shown also that the Summer
work brought in the support of the fol-
lowing State and regional organizations:
Connecticut State Federation of Labor
California State Federation Of Butchers,
Fall River Doffers and SpinnerS, Fall
River, Mass: Wyoming State Women's
Christian Temperance Union, State
Council Of Pennsylvania, Order of In
dependent Americans; Scandinavian
Grand Lodge OF Connecticut, I. o. G.
T.; Lily Dale Assembly, Lily Dale. N. Y;
New York State Retail Coal Merchants
Association, New Jersey State Camp,
Patriotic Order, Sons of America ::
Massachusetts, State Council, Junior
OAdCI SA4llSu
wyoming State Teachers Association,
and Minnesota State Florists ASSocia-
ton.
Sympathy for Efforts.
while the percentage of organiza-
tions officially backing this proposal is
not large, compared with the entire
number to whom letters have been
sent" Mr.. Suter explained in his re-
port, still there are a number of or
ganizationS which, because of certain
OF their constitutional restrictions, have
been unable to take official action, but
have expressed great sympathy with
us in our efforts and have put us in
direct contact with friendly individual
members from whom practical aid and
influence are expected"
Among the efforts made during the
Summer to spread the doctrine of ma
tional representation for the District,
Mr.. Suter cited the delivery Of printed
matter to the $50 members of the E. r.
Rochester party which visited Wash
ington. Similar material had been given
to schools and colleges of the District
and nearby suburbs for use in regular
study courses and debates. The report
also cited the joint committees booth
in the Washington Chamber Of Com
> EApOSltlOu Ill OCJOHcI.
The Suter report contained also eX-
cerpts of replies from organizations
and individuals to whom letters had
been sent Thomas F. Mcmahon, in
ternational president of the United
Textile Workers of America, wrote:
1--WE are sympathetic with your move
ment, I was pleased to see the action
taken at the Connecticut State Feder-
ation Of Labor; there is only one action
that can be taken, and that Is the
right Of all men and women to fran
cllise under our Constitution. The Dis
trict of Columbia should be no excep-
ton to this rule"
Magazine to Give Support.
James L. Wilmeth, secretary of the
National Council. Junior order of
American Mechanics, promised an
editorial in the organization magazine
supporting national representation.
Mr.. Suter also read the resolution
which was adopted by the Veterans Of
Foreign Wars at its national encamp-
ment in st. Paul, in which the veterans
went on record as favoring national
representation for the District and ap-
proval of the pending joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the Con-
stitution which would empower Con-
gress to "cure the existing un-American
condition" in the Capital.
Thomas Patton, New York attorney,
wrote that "as an individual, I highly
agree with the purpose of your organ
ization. I believe the residents of the
District of Columbia should have rep
resentation the same as the citizens Of
any State; to withhold them this right
Is un-American and anomalous. AS the
population of the District of Columbia
increases the question becomes more
important and the denial OF the right
more serious. I should be glad to do
what can with the Senators and Rep
resentatives of New York in Congress to
further the proposed amendment"
r. c. Stephenson, president Of the st.
Joseph's Loan e. Trust Co., advised the
campaign Office that he believes that
they (the people of the District) should
have a voice in the affairs of the Ma
ton and that they should be allowed to
vote in way similar to the privileges
Of the States"
Gideon A. Lyon. chairman of the
committee on print. radio and screen
publicity. reviewed the elaborate means
which were taken to spread knowledge
of the plight of the District in efforts
to enlist support of voting citizens.
Referring 10 his visit to the Orient
with the party Of American journalists
during the Summer, Mr.. Lyon declared
that the japanese, who had learned to
look to Washington as the seat Of de-
mocracy in the world. were amazed TO
learn Of the voteless status Of the Dis
trict's people.
Publicity Drive Cited.
Mr. Lyon cited particularly the pub
licity drive In the interest of national
representation during the Inauguration
period here last March. He cited also
newspaper broadsides which were print
ed by The Star and distributed through
out the country.
Mrs Edna L. Johnston. vice chair
man of the committee on woman's or
ganizations. spoke last night on the
effectiveness of the work done on behalf