Evening star., 1936-04-15
ORGANIZED FIGHT
. URGED FOR VOTE
Mrs. Norton Says District
Needs Representation.
Natives Celebrate.

Washington citizens last night. were
advised by Representative Mary T..
Norton, chairman of the House Dis
trict Committee, to conduct an organ
lied fight for national representation
to aid in their efforts to secure i'm
provements in the National Capital.
Speaking on "Fair Play for Wash
ington" before the Society of Natives
of the District of Columbia at its
annual banquet in the Mayflower Ho-
tel. Mrs. Norton said the House Dis
trict Committee is doing the best 1t
can for the District with its limited
time" She said, however, that Repre-
sentatives on the District Committee
have to consider first their own home
districts in their respective States,
and that their work on the committee
els more of a secondary service"
The House District Committee chair
man added it is her belief that many
District problems could be solved
more satisfactorily" if the city had its
own representatives in Congress to
work for its needs. She said she had
often wondered why the people here
do not get together and Organize
solidly'' in their fight for national
representation.
Urges Hearing on Bill.
Even now, she pointed out, her own
bill for national representation lies
idle in committee If the citizens were
r%r0nor1v iv, fIair fnhf for
representation in Congress, she de-
clared, they could cause the commit
tee at least to hold a hearing on the
bill After that, she said, it could be
carried to the floor of the House.
Mrs. Norton also expressed the view
that citizens here should be allowed to
vote for presidential candidates.
The speaker attacked the condition
OF Washington's hospitals, declaring
they are as low in physical condi-
ton" as hospitals anywhere. u have
been to a number of hospitals here
and have been shocked" she said.
She praised the hospital STATS, how
ever. for their efficiency.
Hits Portable Schools.
Likewise, she deplored the exist
ence of portable school houses, saying:
'tImagine a city as beautiful as this
having portable schools"
Representative Frank Crowther en-
tertained the society with a number
of selections on the piano and violin.
In beginning her address, Mrs. Nor
ton told Crowther she envied him for
having hobby at home to aid him in
forgetting what had gone on during
the day. The New York representa-
tive then told her he had violin at
the Office, which he sometimes plays
there Mrs. Norton then suggested
that she visit him with members so
that he could soothe them with the
music.
Elsewhere in her address she as
sured her audience she wants to do
what she can for the District. and
said: Il am one of the persons who be-
neve there is not anything too good
for the District"
Besides playing, Crowther enter
tained with jokes and then spoke
briefly. upholding the principle of
buying American-made products.
The banquet was held in observance
Of the laying of the first corner stone
of the District, April Is, 1871, and
large part of the program was given
to depicting the growth and beauty of
the National Capital.
Give Pledge Of Allegiance.
Fred A. Emery, president Of the So
ciety was toastmaster. The more than
$50 Natives and guests joined in re-
citing the pledge of allegiance to the
flag. Next they were led by Repre-
sentative Crowther in the singing Of
America" George H. O'Connor en-
tertained with number of songs, &C.
companied by George Wilson.
James F. Duhamel, the society's
historian, spoke briefly on The Day
We Celebrate" in which he empha-
sized the significance of the occasion
In commemorating the laying of the
Districts first corner stone las years
ago.
The picture series, Washington, the