Evening star., 1934-11-14
RESTUDY SOUGHT
FOR CENTERPLAN
Cathedral Heights CIeve-
land Park Group Hears Suf-
frage Pea by Suter.

&tCoOaAJ VA VIZ PAUAAo AOA s@AS f~0
posed Municipal Center to determine
the present needs of the District
government and as accurately as pos
sible the future needs was urged by
the Cathedral Heights Cleveland Park
Citizens Association last night,
The group also heard a discussion
on District suffrage by Jesse c. Suter
of the Citizens Joint Committee on
National Representation for the Dis
trict of Columbia.
The resolution asked that the plans
for construction OF the Municipal
Center be revised to concur with the
new study when it is made, pointing
out that there was no tangible justi-
fication for certain provisions in the
old plans. When the first study was
made it included the statement that
the District government would quad
ruple in size in years to come, but no
basis for the statement has been
found.
There is no hope for improvement
In the District government, Mr.. Suter
told the group, until District residents
are represented in the Senate and
House
Large Population Denied.
There is no reason why they should
not have that representation, he add
ed, pointing out that the population
of voting age in the District is greater
than that of 10 States, the contribu-
ton of the District toward the Fed
eral income was greater during the
last fiscal year than that of "a States,
and that this contribution was $780,
600 more than an aggregate of nine
States.
Even allowing for the greatest esti-
mate of the number of residents who
vote in their home States, a possible
10000 there still would be 251 ,439
potential voters with no vote resident
in the District, Mr. Suter pointed
out. In opposition to the 10000 figure
the 1890 census figures show there
are only slightly more than $4,000
District residents who were recent
actual voters in their home States.
In addition to lack of representa-
lion, the important privilege of use
Of Federal courts is denied District
citizens, who. except within the Dis
trict, must carry their legal matters
through the State courts. In this
respect, Mr.. Suter said, the rights of
, District resident are less than those
Of an alien.
In urging support of the proposed
amendment to the Constitution which
would give District citizens the same
rights as those Of citizen of any
State, Mr.. Suter spoke of the in
creaslngly large number of national Or
ganlzat1onS which have indorsed Dis
trict suffrage, praising in particular
the National League of Women Voters.
The president of the league is now
appealing to State leagues to prevail
upon their State Legislatures to urge
Congress to act favorably on the
amendment. In this manner a num-
Der of supporters of the District vote
have been found in the halls of Con-
gress.
League Support Urged.
Mr. Suter also urged that the
group support the District Federal
Suffrage League, formed to provide
enthusiasm and part of the finances
for the fight to obtain representation
for residents of the District.
Any change in the system of ad-
mlrlistration of the Public Library
was opposed in resolution adopted
by the group. Members of the asso-
citation feel that the present system
is the most efficient of the suggested
plans. Copies of the resolution are
to be sent to the District Committees
of the Senate and House and the
trustees of the Public Library.
The association defeated a motion
10 have the president appoint a Vigi-
lante Committee. 1t was pointed out
by members that no secret liaison
to communicate with the police should
be needed. The Police Department.
II properly set up and properly
financed, it was said, would do better
work alone than if attempting to
work with vigilance committees.
After hearing Miss Adelia M. Hoyt,
acting director for service for the
blind of the Library of Congress, speak
on the Braille work being done at the
Library, the association voted to make
Q contribution to this service as its
Christmas fund.
Discussing the home modernization
program, John Poole, executive di-
rector of the Washington better hous-
ing program, told the group that
Cleveland Park would lend itself ex-
cellently to participation in the plan.
In this manner, he said. the COM
mupity could be developed into a
neighborhood in keeping in every way
with the beautiful ST. Adams Cathe-
dral development.
An amendment to the constitution,
doing away with the boundaries of
the association, thus making any resi-
dent of the District eligible for men,
bership, was adopted. An amend
ment changing the fiscal year of the
body from October to September 80
following" to May l to April 80 fol-
lowing" also was adopted. Dues are
to be payable at the October meeting
and the annual meeting is to be held
in May SO that newly elected officers
will have the Summer months for
organization purposes.
A Community Chest plea was made
by James A. De Force. The meeting
held in the parish hall of st. Adams
Church, was presided over by Mrs
Clara Wright Smith preSident of the