Evening star., 1933-12-31

Seven national organizations have
joined In a concerted movement OF
their own to secure national representa-
ton in Congress and in the electoral
college for the District Of Columbia.
The new organized campaign in be-
half Of voteless citizens Of Washington
will be waged by the American Fedora
ton of Teachers. the Medical Women's
National Association, the National Coun-
Gil of Jewish Women. the National
League of Women Voters, the National
Womens Trade Union League, the Serv-
ice Star League and the women's
Homeopathic Medical Fraternity.
Garry Facts to People.
These organizations, working through
their local branches in all parts Of the
country. propose to carry home the facts
as to the un-American conditions exist
ing in the National Capital community
and enlist their aid In correcting these
conditions They will tell their consti-
tuents in the local branches that the
half a million fellow Americans living
at the seat Of the Federal Government
have no vote for the President or Vice
President and no representation in the
Senate and House Of Representatives, by
which they are governed.
These organizations recognize that
many people Of the country do not real
lie that such a condition exists, and
also that Congress alone is powerless to
correct this anomalous situation.
Amendment Is Necessary.
All Of this they propose to tell their
locals and the further fact that an
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States is required to give the
Congress the necessary power. They
are confident that such information
once being spread through their ranks.
the justice of the Districts claims will
be fully recognized and crystallized in
demand which will be reflected in the
requisite action by Congress and ratifi-
cation by the States.
These seven national organizations
Will seek hearings during the coming
session of Congress before the House
Committee on the Judiciary of which
Representative Hatton w. Summers of
Texas Is chairman, and the Senate Com
mittee on the Judiciary, of which Sena-
tor Henry F. Ashurst of Arizona is chair
man. Before both Of these committees
are pending the identical joint resolu-
tions, H. ]. Res. 169 and S. ]. Res. 9.
The resolution was introduced in the
House by Representative Mary T. Nor
ton OF New Jersey, chairman of the
House Committee on the District of
Columbia. and in the Senate by Senator
Arthur Capper OF Kansas, for a num-
Der of years chairman Of the Senate
District Committee and now the rank
ing minority member of the committee.
These womens organizations have
long engaged in campaigns to develop
high sense of civic responsibility and
1t Is pointed out that support Of the
proposed constitutional amendment is
| a definite step in such campaigns. This
amendment will clothe the District resi-
dents with vital American rights now
denied 1t will give the third of a mil
lion Of persons Of voting age the right
to vote for one or two Senators, Repre-
sentatives in proportion to its popula-
ton and to vote for President and Vice
President.
According to the 1880 census, eight
States have less population than the
District and 10 States fewer men and
women Of voting age. Yet these eight
States are represented in the Congress
as follows: New Hampshire. 4; Idaho
4; Vermont. 3; Arizona, 3; New Mexico
3: Delaware, }; Wyoming, 3. and
! Nevada, 3.