Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-19
REPRESENTATION
MOVE IS SPURRED
Citizens Joint Committee
Takes Steps to Carry
Fight to Congress.

Strengthened by new recruits"
and heartened by an increasing pub
lie agitation against unjust taxes"
the Citizens Joint Committee on Ma
tionAl Representation for the District
Of Columbia yesterday determined to 90
to Congress for hearing on the pend
ing Joint resolution for national rep
resentation amendment to the Consti-
tuition, early in the next regular ses-
sion.
Action was taken by the Executive
Committee Of the organization at q
largely attended luncheon meeting at
the Young Womens Christian Asso-
citation.
Already, according to District Com
missioner George E. Allen. chairman
of the subcommittee on congressional
hearings, some members of Congress
have been interviewed by committee
members The subcommittee will
meet in the near future. he said, and
outline plans to press for hearings early
In the next regular session OF Con-
gress. Mr. Aliens report was SUBJ
mitted in his absence, due to ILL
ness.
Organized Support Given.
Organized citizenry and organized
business pledged support to the cause
L. A. Carruthers, new president of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons, announced the federation was
on record for national representation.
1t has two committees. he explained,
one on local suffrage, and another
on national representation, the chair
man of which, Miss Eta Taggsrt, he
publicly reappointed for another year
at the meeting
Organized business, through the
Board of Trade, was again put be-
hind the cause by Edward F. Cola
day, president of the board. which
has more than 1000 members.
Mr.. Collsday. speaking as Republi-
can National Committeeman, predict
ed that some time in the future
the Republican National convention
would adopt national representation
for the District as plank in its
platform. He outlined efforts to OBJ
tain such q plank since 1920.
Theodore w. Noyes. chairman OF
the Joint committee, expressed en-
thusiasm over the fact that now the
executive committee includes repre-
sentatives from all five local news
papers, presenting united front in
the fight.
Woonsn,s Aid Praised
Activity Of women's organizations
came in for praise. especially the
symposium conducted Wednesday
night by the Voteless D. C. League of
Women Voters.
Action to cooperate with other or
CARNATIONS having national represen-
tation as their final objective came in
the adoption of q resolution. Pointing
out that there were several different
groups Of organizations in the city
working toward various kinds of SUI
frage, the resolution indicated that
IN one respect they we're all similar
all wanted national representation
rs their final objective"
Explaining that the joint commit
tee could not take a definite stand
on any of the points on which various
declared that this committee heartily
approves the activities of all organi-
zations and groups of individuals who
make the obtaining Of voting power
In Congress and the Electoral Col
leee their ultimate objective, without
regard to the method of procedure
which they may adopt to attain this
end, and welcomes such organizations
and groups of individuals to mem
bership in this committee or to anil
iation with it, if that relation is pre-
fered."
Differ on Delegate Status.
Members of the joint committee
differ, 1t was explained. over whether
there should be "voteless delegate"
in Congress.
The joint committee, it was ex-
planned, already includes organizations
and individuals who favor an effort
to secure Immediately Cor as soon
Is possible) power to elect local mu-
nicipal officials and to participate
through elected representatives in the
councils which recommend to Con-
gress the extent of the taxes to be
imposed on residents of the District,
the amounts TO be collected and the
objects on which the tax money is
to be spent
The Joint Committee, 1t was further
explained, includes also other organ
izations and individuals who believe
that radical changes in the form OF
the local government prior to the
gain Of voting power in the Congress,
which possesses exclusive legislative
control Of the District, would be diff
fcult of attainment in stable salts
factory form and would be of doubt
full value even If the power Of cleo
tive District offcials to participate ef-
fectively in the District legislation
were at the same time substantially
increased, unless also reinforced by
voting participation by the District
In the councils of the Nation"
Bars Decision on Other Issues.
The makeup Of the Joint Committee,
It was explained. "forbids without alien
alton OF a substantial fraction Of it's
membership either approval or disap-
proval Of a voteless delegate, and
either approval or disapproval OF
change in the local government and
confines it Is an organization solely
to the campaign for District national
representation, combining and utiliz-
ing to this end all organizations With
national represents zion rs their final
objective. though differing widely in
opinion on other issues"
Commissioner Allen, in his report
to the committee, read by Jesse G.
euter. vice chairman, pointed out that
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