Evening star., 1937-03-06
PLEAFOR INCREASE
IN QUOTAS GAINS.
Census Figures Cited in Ap.
pointments to Military and
3 Naval Academies.
BY J. A. OLEARY.

weshington's plea for an increase
IN it's quota Of appointments to the
United States. Military and Naval
Academies was strengthened today by
additional data furnished the Senate
Military Affairs Committee by L. A.
Carruthers of the Forest Hill Citi-
sens Association.
When a subcommittee held hear
ings on the question two weeks ago
II was shown that, on the basis OF
1890 census figures, eight States with
smaller populations than the Dis
trict have larger quotas in the two
academies -
The new statistics show that, on
the basis of estimated populations for
1885. there are 10 States below the
District in population, but each OF
which is entitled to more appolnt-
ments. Each member of Congress Is
entitled to three appointments to
West Point and four to Annapolis
Since each Of the States referred to
has two Senators and one or two
House members. each Is entitled to
total quota in both academies OF Il
or 2s The District. with a larger
population, is allotted nine appoint
ments to both schools.
The new statistics were submitted
by Carruthers at the request Of Sem
stor Reynolds, Democrat. of North
Carolina, who has indicated he would
favor placing the District on parity
with states Of like population. if per-
sons here who vote or have legal resi-
denee elsewhere could be deducted
from the count in arriving at WASH
ington's population.
In his response. Carruthers showed
that on the basis of 1896 population
figures. the 48 States would have one
apupintment for each 34.385 OF popu-
lation. while the District was en-
titled to one for each 68,777 persons,
or double the population required by
q State for one appointment. on
this basis of comparison he figured
Washington would be entitled TO 10
appointments instead of nine. Con-
tinuing, Carruthers' letter stated, IN
part:
Reference was made to the fact
that some of the residents in the Dis
triot of Columbia have a voting resi-
derice elsewhere, estimated at from
10000 to $1,000, and I was asked to
suuply the best available information
on the population of Washington that
could depend on home States for ap-
pointments to. these two schools 1
was unable to arrive at any authentic
information, but on the assumption
that the population would be double
the number estimated at voting, or
100000, which subtracted from the
estimated population of $4,000 would
still leave a population for Washing
ton that would have to depend on ap-
nointment from the District Of ap-
proximately 500. 900, and on our pres
ent apportionment Of nine popula-
ton of $500 for each appointment
As COMPARED to 6,134 for the 10 States
with a population of less than the
CITY of washington On this reduced
population to 5000 for the District
of Columbia, based on the 10 states
In which 1914 entities one appolnt-
ment, the District of Columbia would
rtill be entitled to 81 instead O. S'
"A further illustration. using the
10 States with smaller population
than the District of Columbia, IN
which one appointment is made tor
each 1914 of population. Washlng-
ton would require population OF only
I45O0O to be entitled to the nine ap-
pointments which it now has. You
will please note that the contention
of our association is that we are not
.quitably represented when compared
nth states with a smaller population
mr. when compared with all of the
States"
No bill to change the Districts quota
has been introduced yet, but 1e in
formation developed at the hearings
NAV come up for discussion when
The military Affairs COMMITTEE meets