Evening star., 1933-10-11
NEW UNIT MOVES
FOR VOTES IN D. c.
Independent Voters Associa-
ton Hopes to Gain Support
of Major Parties.

A new movement sponsoring national
representation for the District of Co.
lumbia was launched last night at a
meeting at the Willard Hotel which
combined an outline of the organiZa-
tion of a District OF Columbia unit OF
the Independent Voters Association OF
America and complimentary reception
to Halbert P. Gardner president of the
national organization and vice chair
man of the National Progressive League
OF Southern California.
Mr.. Gardner, a resident of Pasadena,
Calf. explained the purpose OF the as
sociation as a movement of citizenship
against partisanship." Through the
organization of independent voters, he
said. who notify the major political
parties in advance of their purpose to
oppose the domination of selfish inter-
ests in governmental affairs, the aSSoci-
alton hopes to be guiding influence in
both parties.
1T is our purpose" Mr.. Gardner
said, Ito impress upon the voters of
America that the country's greatest
need and their greatest need is suffrage
based on Self-interest rather than the
mere following of party label"
Not Third Party.
He explained. however that the In-
dependent Voters Association of Amer
lea is not a third-party movement, but
is intended as an influence for better
government through the two present
parties.
Frank A. Reilly, chairman of the
District Organization Committee. out
lined the aims of the organization, so
far as local affairs are concerned. He
traced the history of the District gov
ernment and contrasted the status Of
its citizens with that of residents of the
several States.
We have made no progress" he said,
"acting directly with the two old
parties. If we can obtain the support
of 100000 to 100000 independent
voters it is perfectly reasonable to ex-
pect that eventually we can get the
support of one or the other major
political party that will make District
representation a part of its platform"
1t is the immediate aim of the Dis
trict unit, he said, to obtain at least
territorial representation with a dele
gate in Congress. This, he added, may
be done without a constitutional amend
ment. Then the aim will be to seek
status similar to that of the States, with
two United States Senators and as
many Representatives as the city'S pop
tlation warrants.
Open Headquarters.
In addition, Reilly added. it is the
eventual hope of the association to pro-
cure for residents and property owners
here the right to say who shall serve
as commissioners, members of the board
Of education and other. public govern
ing bodies.
Reilly's Office at 745 Woodward Build
ing has been made headquarters for the
Independent Voters Association of the
District Associated with him on the
Organization Committee is H. H. Shin
nick as secretary.
Joseph A. Cantrel of Chevy Chase,
Md, and Frank Nolte of Friendship
Heights, Md, now president and secre-
tary. respectively, of the Montgomery
County Independent Voters Association.
accepted similar appointments to head
the organization in the State OF Mary
land.
Col Frank Webb, Farmer-Labor and
Liberty party candidate for President
last year, addressed the meeting briefly.