Evening star., 1933-02-10
TRADE BODY HEARS
SUFFRAGE PLEA
Washington Faces Another
E'Day of Humi|iation'' on
March a, Says Vile.

With the coming Of Inauguration day
the disfranchised citizens of the Dis
trict approach another "day of humilia-
tion," Frederic William Vile, political
analyst and radio broadcaster, told
members of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce at their February meet
ing in the May1ower Hotel last night
What we actually shall be doing
three weeks hence" Mr.. Vile said, "is
to stage show in token of national
event, namely, the election of a new
President and Vice President-with
which, as matter of fact, we have
had nothing whatever to do.
I'VE shall see ushered into office, into
those two high and honorable offices,
men in the choosing of whom this half
million of country-lovin tax-paying,
law-abiding citizens had no whisper of
a voice. We Washingtonians are the
sole people in the Union who must live
up to all the obligations of American
citizenship, but who are denied its most
priceless privilege, the right to vote, the
right to help elect not only the Nations
rulers, but its lawmakers, the Congress
of the United States"
The speaker expressed the hope that
mot only the tens of thousands Of
people who will be here on March 4
from the politically more favored re-
gions Of the United States. but the
many millions who cannot be present,
will realize that recurring Inauguration
humiliation for the disfranchised resi-
dents of the District of Columbia"
Mr.. Vile urged his listeners to carry
on the fight for constitutional amend
ment to give the tax-paying people OF
this community suffrage. 1T Is an un-
Just, unjustified, indefensible and un-
American plight IN which Washington
finds ITSELF" he declared "Inaugura-
tion day Is an appropriate moment to
rub in that fact wherever and whenever
We can. Tell it to your friends who
come here from those happier hunting
grounds far beyond the District line,
where men are men and women can
vote, too! Tell them that we do not
intend forever to rest helpless and
quiescent under this humiliating dis
ability"
The political commentator analyzed
"the political situation in Washington, u
reviewing cabinet possibilities in the
Roosevelt administration.
The guest Of honor at the trade or
ganization's meeting was Rear Admiral
Cary T. Grayson, chairman OF the In
augural Committee, who discussed plans
under way for the March event. He
said Washington is plunging whole
heartedly into the business of making
the occasion a success. Because the
grounding saw its shadow on Febru-
ary 2. Admiral Grayson said. the com.
mittee superStitiously is going ahead
with plans to have more covered re-
viewing stands than ever before at any
inaugural parade"
Other members of the Inaugural Com
mittee, District Commissioners. Sen
ators, Representatives and leading citi-
zens also were guests of the chamber
Business of the trade body was
headed by action on the comprehensive
report of its Committee on Laws and
Committee on Manufactures, Committee
Havenner, on the proposed increase in
workmen'S compensation insurance
rates. Following approval of the main
portion of the report, the committee
was authorized to oppose any increase
in premiums which it felt unjustified.
Other reports were presented by the
committee on manufactures, committee
on Transportation, Committee on Pub
lie Recreation ard by the president,
Thomas P. Littlepage.