Evening star., 1936-06-10
C. 0: P. REQUESTED
TO BACK D. c. VOTE
Plea for Representation
Presented to Platform
Committee.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,
Stah Correspondent Of The Star.

CLEVELAND, June l0.-Voteless
Washington's plea for representation
in Congress and the right to vote for
President and Vice President was pre-
sented last night to the Resolutions
Committee, which today will take final
action on the platform of the Repub-
lican National Convention
The Platform Committee also was
urged last night to include plank in
favor of extension of the merit system
of appointment to all positions in the
Federal service, except the so-called
policy jobs
Senator Capper. Republican of Kan
sas, co-author of the national repre-
sentation resolution pending in Con-
day, the Districts national commit
teeman, to the meeting of the Resolu-
tions Committee last night to lend his
support to the petition of the local
delegation. AS he left the meeting,
Senator Capper said:
There is no reason why the resi-
dents of the District should not be
given this right of national represen-
tation. They pay national taxes. obey
national laws and in time Of emerg-
ency they contribute manpower to ma
tional defense. Yet, they have no
voice in their Government"
Question Is Nom Partisan.
The Senator also emphasized that
the question is not a partisan one,
pointing out that Representative Nor
ton, Democrat Of New Jersey, has ad-
vocated similar action by the Demo-
Gratis when they assemble in Phila-
delphia. Mrs. Norton is sponsoring
the joint resolution in the House.
Further arguments in support of the
proposed plank were made by Miss
Mildred Reeves, District delegate on
the Colladay ticket. and a member
of the Platform Committee of the ma
tional convention. The plank asked
for by the local delegation would read
as follows: I'VE favor representation
in Congress and in the electoral COL
lege for the District of Columbia"
Referring specifically to the joint
resolution pending in Congress for a
constitutional amendment that would
empower Congress to grant national
representation, Miss Reeves empha-
sized that the carrying out of that
plan would not deprive the Federal
exercises over the seat of government
The proposed amendment would,
however, enable Congress to give Dis
trict residents voting representation
in the House and Senate. the same
privilege enjoyed by all other Ameri-
cans of going to the polls on national
election day to cast their ballots for
President and Vice President
Sub Committee Named.
After hearing SpokeSmen for more
than a score of organizations on a
wide variety of issues yesterday after
noon, the Resolutions Committee ap-
pointed a Subcommittee to draft
tentative platform and submit it to
the full committee for ratification at
! O'Clock this afternoon.
More equitable application of the
merit system to the Government serv-
ice was first brought to the commit
tees attention yesterday by Luther C.
Steward, president of the National
Federation of Federal Employees. He
commented on the opportunity of
members Of his organization to OBJ
serve the effect the patronage system
Of appointment has on the public serv-
ice. He said he was instructed by his
membership to urge that all except
the policy jobs" be brought within
the competitive Civil Service system
Green Makes Appeal.
Later. William Green, president of
the American Federation of Labor, in
cluded in his statement to the COM
mittee an appeal for ''the maintenance
Of high, decent wage standards for
employees Of the Federal Government,
and that civilian Government en-
ployes be equally and satisfactorily
classified under Civil Service regula-
tions"
THE devotion of labor to Civil Serv-
ice and the application of Civil Serv-
ice regulations to Government en-
ployes, inspires us to earnestly recon-
mend its continuation and progressive !
extension to all departments of the |
Government" Green said.
Another question of interest to Gov
ernment workers was brought to the
attention of the Platform Committee,
when Jane Todd of Tarrytown, N. Y,
urged repeal of the married-persons
clause of the economy act of 1892.
This was the provision which directed |
that, in any reduction of force, mar
ried persons should be laid of first,
if the husband or wife of such en-
ploye also was employed by the Gov
ernment She spoke on behalf of the
National Federation of Business and |
Professional Women's Clubs.