Evening star., 1936-06-23
INDIANS PROCLAIM
PLIGHT OF CAPITAL
Parade Philadelphia Streets.
D. C. Delegation Elects
CoIpoys Chairman.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,


PHILADELPHIA. June 23.-War-
painted Indians from the banks Of
the Potomac laid siege to this conven-
tion-crowded city last night and i'm
planted voteless Washington's plea for
the ballot in the minds Of thousands
of visitors from the four corners Of
the Nation.
Bedecked in the picturesque garb
of their tribes, they marched through
the crowded downtown streets to the
rhythmic beat Of the tom-tom and
stole the pre-convention show.
It was by far the most colorful
spectacle the incoming delegates and
visitors had seen, and thousands of
bystanders saw and read the BAN
ners proclaiming the plight of the
half-million disfranchised residents Of
the District. 1t was Commissioner
George E. Aliens prologue to the ap-
peal he will make before the Platform
Committee for a plank in support of
national representation, and it went
over with bang.
Regardless of what happens to the
plank when the platform builders be-
gin to hammer the document into
shape. thousands of citizens of the
States will go away Saturday with
keener realization Of the fact that,
although 1t exceeds eight Of the
States in population, the District takes
no part in national elections and has
no representation in the House and
Senate
Tea Party Re-enacted.
Armed with hundreds of small
packages of tea, the band Of Is In
dians started out from Rittenhouse
square at dusk, to re-enact with vari-
ations the Boston tea party. More
than 100 years ago the colonists of
Boston dumped huge cases Of tea into
the harbor to register their Cpposi-
ton to taxation without representa-
ton.
Last night Commissioner Aliens
Indians stormed the crowded hotel
lobbies to hand their tea to the hosts
Of Democracy. To each tiny package
was attached this plea:
Remember the Boston tea party?
Taxation without representation is
un-Americanl Give Washington rep
resentation."
Above their heads as they marched
single file through the streets were
large banners, which read:
"A sad spectacle Of half a million
Americans without a vote
Vote a vote for the District of
Columbia"
washington helps to nominate
and inaugurate, but has no part in
the election
The parade got off to a modest
start at Rittenhouse square about
dusk, but 1t soon caught the interest
Of throngs in the hotel district and
many fell in line as the warriors
pushed on from one hotel to another.
The din Of the tom toms and the war
whoops of the Red Men kept an audi
ence awaiting them at every corner.
Into the lobby of the Bellevue
Stratford, National Democratic head
quarters, they went and staged q war
dance while scores Of delegates looked
on and read their banners. Groups
OF by-standers could be heard dis
cussing among themselves the merits
Of Washington's appeal.
The procession moved on to the
Benjamin Franklin, where another
large gathering of delegates paused
to see what the shouting was all about.
1t no longer became necessary to toss
the little tea bags overheard" The
visitors began to ask for them as
souvenirs.
Motorists on the crowded thorough
fares entered into the spirit Of the
demonstration and began to accom-
pany the beat Of the tom-toms with
blasts from their horns.
At the head of the procession
walked the venerable Chief High Star,
rs years old, who was once q scout
for Gen. Nelson A. Miles. At each
hotel lobby the war-dance Of the
Indians was followed by q brief ap-
peal by Frank OMahoney in support
Of national representation.
Last night the Indians returned to
their camp on the outskirts Of the
city. They will not return to the con-
vention hall until tonight.
The group Of Indians included
members Of the Sioux, Cheyenne and
Apache tribes. They have been camp
ing recently near Washington.
Earlier yesterday evening the Dis
trict delegation held a caucus and as
signed its members to the various COM
mittees Of the national convention.
John B. Colpoys, chair of the Demo-
cratic State Central Committee, was
chosen chairman Of the delegation,
and honorary vice chairman of the
convention.
Allen Vice Chairman.
Commissioner Allen was named
vice chairman Of the delegation and
honorary assistant vice chairman of
the convention. Joseph G. Cotter
was made secretary Of the delegation
and honorary vice secretary of the
convention. Evelyn c. Condor was
selected assistant secretary Of the
delegation and honorary assistant vice
secretary Of the convention.