Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-06-10
Civic Problems and Civic Bodies
Citizens Found Helpful Sections Where Residents Have
Voe-Senate Nine Bills, but Ignores Desired
Od-Age Pensions.

thusiastic over the tangible victories
won by their associations and their
declarations. They are very frank
In stating that the fact that they
are voters and deal with bodies
in which they have elected repre-
sentatives Is no handicap, but Is
exactly the contrary.
The Citizens Joint Committee on
District National Representation
is well grounded in the opinion
that there will still be need for
citizens associations after the Dis
trict obtains voting representation
in Congress and the electoral col
lege The only difference antici-
pated is that the work Of such
bodies then will be really effective.
The District Of Columbia
and The Folks Back Home
TINE Congressional Record of
last Tuesday contains most
interesting reading for the
Washingtonian in the proceedings
of the House Of Representatives.
The occasion was the considera-
ton of the special rule reported
by the Rules Committee and the
Senate bill authorizing the Conn
missioners to borrow P. w. A. funds
for needed construction projects.
The debate on the rule and on the
bill brought out the usual op-
ponents of the District with the
same old misleading distortion of
facts and irrelevant matter. Several
we'll informed champions Of fair
play for the District gave good
account of themselves with clear
statements OF facts which CON-
pletely refuted the claims of chronic
enemies of the Capital community.
The details of this bill are too
we'll known to be discussed In this
limited space, but as passed by the
House authority is given the Dis
trict to request $l0,750,000 Of P.
w. A.. OF which 10 per cent is to
be loan and 80 per cent an out
right grant An analysis Of the
negative arguments clearly indi-
Gates that the real opposition was
idea of permitting the District to
incur Indebtedness.
There is striking contrast in the
debate as to the attitude Of the
folks back home" as presented by
Mr.. Blanton of Texas and Mr..
Dirksen of Illinois. The former
expressed fear at what people
would say If he favored the bill
permitting these expenditures. The
gentleman from Illinois indicated
in detail the urgent needs to be
taken care Of in the bill and
stated, Il am not particularly con-
cerned about an unpopular reac-
ton back home, because I am
satisfied that when they are prop
erly and adequately informed as
to all the facts In connection with
this bill they will give whole
hearted approval" Civic work.
ers who have been studying the
debate of last Tuesday in the
House express the opinion that If
Mr.. Blanton's constituents were
properly and adequately informed
they would be as Fundamentally
in favor of this and other District
legislation as the people of Mr..
Dirksen's district.
Friends of the District In both
the Senate and House frequently
have expressed themselves as be-
lieving that the people Of the
country would not countenance
the un-American conditions exist
ing In the District If they knew
the facts. Many Of our civic or
CARNATIONS recognize as D very
live problem O practical method of
correctly informing the folks back
home" as to the whole truth about
the District of Columbia. This Is
one of the special jobs for which
the Citizens Joint Committee on
District of Columbia National Rep
resentation is striving to raise
funds through the District of Co
lumbia Federal Suffrage League.
Better Homes Contest Entries
Boosted in Montgomery County
FORMATION of the Central
Better Homes Committee for
Montgomery County with Z.
J. Murphy as chairman is ex-
pected to coordinate the boost
ing of the contest in that area
and bring in many new entrants.
Mr.. Murphy, past president Of the
Washington Board Of Trade and
q past master Of civic activities,