Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-15
D. c. VOTE DEMAND
GAINS MOMENTUM
Speakers at c. of C. Meeting
Pledge Support Until
Victory Is Won.

With mounting enthusiasm and ex-
preston of confidence that the time is
growing near when rights of American
citizenship will be granted residents OF
the District Of Columbia, members Of
the Washington Chamber of Commerce
and invited guests. at well attended
meeting in the Mayfiower Hotel last
night, applauded speakers who told OF
progress OF the movement to gain repre-
sentation in Congress and the voting
right in presidential elections for the
National Capital.
Charles W. Darr, president Of the
Chamber of Commerce; Theodore w.
Moves, chairman of the Citizens Joint
Committee for National Representation;
Robert N. Harper, first president Of
the Chamber Of Commerce, and Thomas
p. Littlepage. chairman Of the cham
ber's committee on national representa-
ton, joined in saying the movement
had gained such Roadway that residents
Of the District, If they would give the
last hard pull" would see their hopes
realized soon.
Taliaferro Adds Support.
After these speakers had aroused the
enthusiasm of the audience, Sidney F.
Taliaferro member Of the Board Of Dis
trict Commissioners, who was not on the
regular program, told the meeting that
he had formerly been in doubt on the
question, but he had at last been con-
verified to believe in 1t.
"As you know" added Commissioner
Taliaferro, converts to cause are
usually the most enthusiastic fighters"
There was brief business meeting Of
the chamber, but the occasion was
mainly devoted to National Representa-
ton Night" Mr.. Darr, who presided,
struck the keynote when he declared
that members of the Chamber Of Com
merce and their guests had come to-
gether to emphasize the outstanding
aspiration of the people Of Washington"
I'VE have begged, we have petitioned
we have argued" said Mr.. Darr, until
the argument Is now all one way. ]
doubt If there Is one man in Congress
who would have the temerity to come
before this body and say he is opposed
to suffrage for the District No man
in the United States can offer valid
reason why the people of Washington
should not be represented in Congress
and vote for President. We pay taxes,
obey the laws and 60 to war. We per-
form all the duties of citizenship, and
yet we are not permitted to have rep
resentation in our Government.
Purposes Misunderstood.
I'VE are not attempting to deprive
Congress of its exclusive jurisdiction
over the District, nor the President Of
his right to appoint our local officers,
nor to change the form of our city gov
eminent. Those few persons who are
opposed to this movement nlisunder-
stand its purposes. Some of them think
we want to elect a mayor and other
city officers. That Is not what we are
asking. We are seeking the right to
be represented In the House and Senate,
where our laws are made, and the right
to help choose the President OF the
United States, who appoints our local
officers.
I'VE should follow the example Of the
great leaders of the woman's suffrage
movement, who kept up their fight with
increasing vigor until they got what
they were after We are sure to VIM"
Mr.. Darr then introduced Mr.. Noyes
as the pioneer, head, front and leader"
Of the national representation tight.
Referring briefly to the inception of
the movement and the unanimity OF
support which 1t has gained from the
organized citizens Of Washington, Mr..
Noyes stated Succinctly the facts upon
which the residents of the District base
their demand for representation In the
National Government. He explained
what the District would gain from rep
resentation in the Government and an
swered those who impute ito the COM
munity incurable political unfitness and
to the Nation impotence to cure this
evil"
AT the first congressional hear
ing ever held on our constitutional
amendment I had the honor OF repre-
senting the Chamber of Commerce, the
pioneer organization In the Districts
battle Of political equity" said Mr..
Noyes at the outset.
Fought for Vote In 1916.
"In 1916, with Leftwich Sinclair and
Chaplin Brown, argued for District
national representation as the cham
ber's representative before the Senate
District committee.
Following the chambers initiative.
more than as representative citizens
organizations have since 1916 adopted in
succession the slogan 'Americanize the
Washingtonian,' and, cooperating in
the citizens joint committee, they
march shoulder to shoulder in the great
army which fights for Washington.
1.-THE organized forces. constituting
the citizens joint committee, present q
formidable battle array. They include
trade bodies like the Board Of Trade.
Chamber Of Commerce and the Mel
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