Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-13
CITIZENS HEAR
D. C. VOTE APPEAL
]. Mark Trice Makes Eloquent
Address Before BurIeith
Association.

An eloquent appeal for national rep
resentation for the District OF Column
bia was presented to the Burleith Citi-
zens' Association last night at Gordon
Junior High School by j. Marx Trlce
Of the Citizens Alliance.
Declaring that national representa-
tion means representation in Congress,
the electoral college and access to Fed
ersl Courts. the speaker said. however,
that under this program the Distrlct
of Columbia does not wish to assume
the status of a State" but would re-
main under the exclusive jurisdiction
Of Congress
Demands Use Of Ballot Box.
A representative form of government,
Mr.. Trice declared, demands the use OF
the ballot box. He stressed the prin-
ciple that this city was suffering under
Taxation without representation" Re-
viewing the qualifications OF this city
for the vote, the speaker pointed out
that in population, 486,869, this city is
larger than eight States, while more
Federal taxes are paid here than in any
one of IS States. This city sent $4,000
men to the World War, and during the
Civil and Spanish American Wars the
National Capital showed like loyalty
Declaring there were no valid objec-
tions to the ballot for this city, Mr.
Trice quoted from the declaration OF
the bill OF rights presented by the
colonists to the British Parliament:
"That the foundation of English liberty
and of all civil government Is right In
the people to participate in their legiS-
latiVe councils"
Step Behind Alien.
Pointing out that the status Of the
citizen here was one step ahead OF the
Indian, but behind the alien, Mr.. Trace
declared that denial of the vote was q
"slur upon the American system. and
upon the ability Of citizens to govern
themselves. At the conclusion OF the
meeting a number of seals bearing the
slogan, Citizens Of Washington, D. c.
demand the right to vote" were sold
The secretary Of the association was
authorized to search the minutes OF the
association with q view to discovering
whether the organization in the past
, had gone on record in favor OF national
representation.
Following a recent decision Of the
Supreme Court of the District Of Co
lumbia concerning benefit assessments
to which Ekrleith citizens objected, fol
alton adopted q resolution which read
"Inasmuch as the courts have definitely
decided that the assessments for bene'
fits to be derived from widening o.
Reservoir road shall stand, Be 1t re-
solved, That the Burleith Citizens AsSo'
citation accepts the decision Of the court
recommends that citizens pay the as
sessments, but the association goes or
record as still holding the belief tina
| the assessments are unjust. 1nequltapl'
and careleSsly made, that citizens shoulc
be relieved OF the afnction OF assess
ments incorrectly and incompetently
made and that greater care be exercised
bv the appointing authorities in Sc
lecting competent jurieS."
Discuss Inequlty.
J. 8. Gorrell president of the asso'
citation reported results Of the cour'
procedure and the activities of Attorne!
A. H. Moran on behalf of the aSSocia'
ton and residents.
Mr.. Moran was voted the hearty
appreciation" OF the organization To-
his service. There was much discus
sion OF the ineQuity Of the assess
ments, which run from nothing up Il
$40, in the community. Mr.. Gorren ex-
planned that those who escaped with
no assessment would not be assessed
now. under the decision Of the court
Ralph Campbell of the George Wash
ington Bicentennial Cleanup Com
mittee commended the community fol-
its appearance and urged cooperation
| in the cleanup campaign.
The association asked District au'
thorities to have two entrances to thu
Western High School Stadium only. OF
Reservoir road and on Thirty nintf
street.
It was announced that the Burleitf
Garden Club will hold a flower show
May IS and ~ in the Sunday schoo
room of Mount Tabor Church.
The association voted to conduct 6
lawn and garden contest during the
Summer, with priHes for both front and
back yards, and also accepted an invi-
tation to join q Bicentennial garden
contest.
The next meeting of the association
in June, will be an entertainment.