Evening star., 1932-05-08
MRS. NORTON ASKS
"AMER|CAN|zAT|ON"
OF WASH|NGTO
Chairman of House District
Committee Urges Voice in
Government.
BELIEVES LIVING COST
WARRANTS PRESENT PAY
Sees Favorable Action on Rail
Merger and Other District Bills
in Congress.

Pleas for "Americanization of the
National Capital" so that the half mil
lion Americans resident here can enjoy
the greatest privilege of an American
citizen, of having voice in govern
ment through the ballot" and that the
people throughout the country would
fairly consider the situation of Govern
ment employees in the question of salary
reduction, were made in a radio address
last night by Chairman Norton of the
House District Committee.
Mrs. Norton also predicted an early
and favorable report on the proposal
for the incorporation of credit unions
within the District, and expressed con-
fidence that the street railway merger
bill which has been under consideration
by Congress for more than 20 years will
be favorably acted upon in the House
tomorrow She quoted Sanford Bates,
director of the Bureau Of Prisons, ad-
vocating the passage of the bill creating
a board of indeterminate sentences and
pardons in the District and concluded
''it seems a bill worthy Of favorable
consideration by Congress"
Discusses Representation.
In discussing the right of franchise
and national representation for resi-
dents of the District OF Columbia, Mrs.
Norton said in part:
"I particularly would like the privi-
lege of Americanizing Washingtonians
in this session of Congress. My resolu-
ton calling for the appointment OF
congressional committee to study this
important problem is still before the
House Committee on Rules and l am
hoping that some action will be taken
thereon.
The half million Americans OF the
District of Columbia constitute the only
community in all the expanse OF the
continental United States-hlghly IN
telligent. public spirited citizens
which is Senied representation IN the
National Government.
In relation to national laws, the
sole function Of the District residents
is to obey. They take no part in the
laws which they must obey.
In relation to taxes, their sole func-
ton is to pay. They have nothing TO
say, like other taxpayers, concerning
the amount and kind Of taxes they
shall pay and how the tax money shall
be spent This is evidenced by the
unpopular and unfair 'Mapes bill now
before Congress, and against which l
Voted IN the House.
Held Right of All Citizens.
National representation is a distinc
tive, basic right of the American citi-
Zen-in government of the people, by
the people, for the people. The Dis
trict should be represented in the Ma
tional Government.
Another national election will be
held in November, when the citizens OF
the United States choose their candi-
dates to perform the executive and leg
islative functions of the great repre-
sentative Republic.
Every voting American is a sover-
eign in his own right, and on election
day he or she exercises this sovereignty
as the vote is deposited in the ballot
box
To all full-fedged Americans. cleo
tion day is day of ational inspira-
tiop and patriotic p .de.
ITO the beautiful City of Washing
ton, D. C., with its splendid populace,
it Is day of keen regret.
This is not a criticism Of the Of
ficials in charge of your Government.
In my judgment. they are able, efficient
gentlemen and have fully co-operated
with me. In fact, consider Washing
ton, as a city, better governed in many
respects than are great many other
cities comparable in size. My regret is
that you are deprived of the greatest
privilege an American citizen is heir to
that Of having a voice in Govern
ment, through the ballot"
Comparison of Conditions.
Discussing the reduction of salaries
of Federal employees, Mrs. Norton en-
phasized that people throughout the
country have not appreciated the real
conditions and expenses of Government
employees, but have figured the presum-
ably high salaries paid by the Govern
ment in comparison with salaries paid
In country towns where living condi-
ticns are entirely different. She said
in part:
We have been listening TO great de-
bates recently concerning economy and
reduction of salaries of Federal en-
ployeS-the arguments in favor being
that everything is so much cheaper
than it has been heretofore.
While it is agreed that foodstuffs
are considerably cheaper than they
have been for several years, it is also an
important fact to take note of that
rents and taxes have not decreased.
Rent IS the biggest item in the fam
lily budget Until this item is reduced
1t is unfair to say that the cost of
living has been decreased to any con-
siderable extent
heartily agree with the views ex-
pressed by Senator Capper in a recent
talk from this station. II the rents
cannot be decreased in the large cities
OF our country-and they have not been,
put are still at wartime rateS-it is
lalr 10 assume that there can be little
savings in the family budget.
Living Expenses Higher.
my attention has been called. through
letters and otherwise, TO the fact that
Government employees in Washington
are IN much better position and are
PAID higher salaries than those living
IN the rural districts. Surely every one
VIII admit that there is no comparison
IN living in the rural districts and resid-
ing In Washington. where food and rent.
not to speak Of all the other items in
Volved, are probably twice as high as in
rural sections.
This question of living in city and
rural districts was evidenced MANY
times during the war period, when the
Government, in need of workers. called
upon the people of the rural districts
to accept positions in Washington.
These suburban people considered
the salaries in Washington very exor-
bltant compared to those received in
their own towns, but after living here
Tor six months many Of them returned
TO their homes convinced that a salary
of SIS month received in a small town
was equal in buying power to twice that
amount in Washington"
Wounan Climbs m Meet