Evening star., 1934-10-28
Seeks to Promote
Patriotism and
Education.
First Action Was to Ask
Congress for ID. C.
Vote.

! The feeling Of isolation existing
among the voteless and unrepresented
native-born WashingtonianS led q
small group in 1920 to form themselves
into a society to promote the welfare
of the city along patriotic, historical,
educational and social lines.
Although there had long been q
desire for an organization of our local
natives, it had taken no definite form
until premature item in the local
press said two civic leaders we're plan
ming to form such an association. Jesse
C. Suter, then vice president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
and Mrs. Anna E. Hendley, then
prominent in the Anthony League,
while comforting regarding the cam
palgn for District of Columbia national
representation, deplored the fact that
there was no organization of native
Washingtonians, although there we're
societies here representative Of the
various States.
News Item Was Start.
Mr. Suter and Mrs. Hendley agreed
it would be a good plan TO organize
the natives and so expressed them
selves to newspaper man. He i'm
mediately sent story TO each of the
local newspapers stating these two
leaders intended to form such body.
This news item advised local natives
that any desiring to join could enroll
af he Of hn
Press Committee on District of Co.
lumbia Suffrage, then located at 1400
Pennsylvania avenue. A prompt and
enthusiastic response followed
One of the early callers at the COM
mittee headquarters was Mrs. Johan
C. Kondrup, who said she had been
planning to form such an organiza-
| ton. A conference with Mr.. Suter
and Mrs. Hendley resulted in the for
nation of these three natives into
elf-constituted committee which is
sued a call to those who had signed
the roll for a preliminary meeting in
the board room Of the District Build
ing March 27, 1920.
This meeting was called to order
by Mr.. Suter, who explained the pur-
George W. Evans and the late Snow
den Ashford were elected temporary
chairman and temporary secretary, re-
spectively. 1t was decided TO organize
the native sons and daughters of the
District, and committee was appoint
ed. consisting Of Mr.. Suter, chairman:
Mrs. Hendley, Mrs Kondrup, Mr.. Ash
ford and John Clagett Proctor, to draft
a constitution and bylaws.
Constitution Adopted.
On April 10, 1920, the group met
on the call of Capt. Evans, adopted
the constitution and bylaws forming
the Society of Natives of the District
of Columbia and elected officers with
the exception of the second and third
vice presidents.
The only other business transacted
at this first meeting was the adoption
of resolution in support of the move
ment "to obtain, by constitutional
amendment. representation in Con-
gress and the electoral college" This
resolution was filed with the Commit
tee on the Judiciary Of the House Of
Representatives on January IL 1921,
and appears in the report of the hear
I ing on the D. C. national representa-
ton proposed constitutional amend
ment. Ever since then, from time TO
time, the group has passed various
resolutions reafirming its support and
| includes on its list of standing COM
mittees Committee on National Rep
resentation.
At the second meeting, second and
| third vice presidents were elected,
completing the complement of officers.
The first corps of officers were Mr..
| Suter, president; Mrs. Kondrup, first
vice president; Mrs. Hendley, second
vice president; Col. c. Fred Cook,
third vice president; Mr.. Ashford, re-
| cording secretary; Mrs. Samuel w.
| Stinmetz, corresponding secretary;
Carl F. j. Graf, treasurer, and Mr..
Proctor, historian.
The presiding officers and the terms
| they served are: Mr.. Suter, 1920 to
| 1924; Mr. Proctor, 1924 to 1925: the
| late DR.. Samuel S. Adams, 1925 to
1927; Lee D. Latimer. 1927 to 1929;
Fred A. Emery, 1929 to 1881; DR..
Clarence A. Weaver, 1881 to 1888, and
Mr.. Suter in 1888, who is the present
incumbent.
Affiliate With Federation.
The group voted to afiliate with the
Federation of Citizens Associations
seven months after organizing. For
several years the society dropped out
of the federation, but returned during
the term of Mr.. Emery and has re-
atfpy-
Early in the societys history, it was
agreed that all vacancies in the bu-
reauS and departments of the local
government be filled by residents of
Washington. A copy of a resolution
| favoring this action was sent to. the
Commissioners in November, 1921. Mr..
Proctor, author of the resolution, con-
tended local citizens should be given
the opportunity to fill these and cler-
| ical positions. This attitude has been
maintained throughout the history of
the group.
For many years also the society has
| held Christmas entertainments and
donated a Christmas tree and gifts
| to the children in the Washington
Home for Foundlings.
Annual banquets are held in April
of each year to commemorate the
laying CT the first cornerstone of the
District on April IS, 1871, and also
to celebrate the founding of the So
ciety on April 10, 1920 At these ban
quets, prominent speakers and civic
leaders have been heard, including
Theodore w. Noyes, editor of The
Star and a charter member; the late
Representative Henry I. Rathbone of
Illinois, Representative Randolph
Coyle of Pennsylvania, and the late
Representative Jennings Randolph Of
West Virginia.
In an effort to promote interest In
historical points, numerous outings
have been held. Notable among these
have been outings in Potomac Park,
Rock Greek Park, Wakefield, Va, and,
last year, a trip to St. Marys City,
Md. The latter was such a success
that numerous requests have been
made to repeat the outing again this
year.
The present membership cf the