Evening star., 1937-11-18

NoyeS declared, inspires us all to
work with increased vigor. united in
the war for national representation,
however much we may differ among
ourselves in opinion concerning other
issues. President Gutenberg herself
has rendered a distinct community
service in bringing us together for
this exchange of thought tonight Let
us not waste this opportunity, but,
with the strength of united effort, let
us press forward shoulder shoulder
to ultimate victory"
Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, publisher
of the Washington Herald and the
Washington Times, called on the
women of Washington to get together
to fight for enfranchisement. She told
the story of group of women who
took over the management of a West
ern city, to illustrate her point that
the women of city could accomplish
what they set out to do.
I honestly have come to the con-
viction," she said that only women
can give the final shove and put the
votes for Washington across"
Mr.. McConihe pointed out that suf-
frage Is needed in the District, with
evidence showing that lit becomes
more necessary each day" He pointed
to increased taxes, bad legislation,
failure of the United States to come
through with its obligation toward
support of the District"
Dl;obt
Declaring that many people of the
country do not know of the voteleSS
plight of this city. he recommended
that campaign be pushed to inform
them of the situation. He said he was
willing that the President should con-
tinue to appoint District Commission
ers for the city. but insisted the city
should vote in the Electoral COLLEGE
and have national representation in
Congress
Mrs. Eugene Meyer, wife of the pub
Usher of the Washington Post. who has
had wide experience in welfare work
both here and elsewhere, referred to
difficulties in obtaining relief for a
family evicted from its home, of the
campaign to feed undernourished
school children and the high tubercu-
loss rate here in the city.
1t is 10 times as hard to do an ef-
fcient welfare job here as anywhere
else in the country" she said, and it
will continue until we have repre-
sentation in Congress"
Mrs. Weston read a letter from Dis
trict Commissioner George E, Allen de-
claring there was no room in Amer
ica" for voteless community. The
situation here, he was quoted as writ
ing, resulted in nothing short of a
hollow mockery."
Mr.. wilkes characterized the names
of both the "voteless' league and the
Republican State Committee" as
anomalies since there is no vote
here. Relating efforts to increase the
votes of Republicans from the District
in the national convention, he de-
clared the objections raised in the
convention against it were based only
on the facts that there were no votes
IN the District, and especially no vote
for President.
Full Voting Right Urged.
Miss Martha Strayer Of the Wash
lngton Daily News declared that if
Washington is to vote lit should have
the full vote and be willing to assume
the burdens that come with full citi-
zenship." Now, she declared, Wash
lngton has sense of alibi." of blam-
ing the Bureau of the Budget, blaming
Congress, for failure to get something
the city wants. She praised women in
public Office here in the District, nam
ing many in the audience.
Miss Gertrude McNally of the Ma
tional Federation of Federal EN-
ployes called on organized citizenry
for hard work. to get national repre-
sentation.
From Mark Lansburgh, speaking on
behalf of the merchants, came the re-
mark: I'VE can't even spend our own
sunlight in this city" He told of ef-
forts to get daylight saving. which was
resisted by members of Congress.
The thing which merchants feel
HloSI keenly IN the lack OF vote here,
he said, was that Congress puts such
cock-eyed laws on U.s." Protesting that
we have no voice in legislation" Mr..
Lansburgh characterized some taxes
as ubiquitous" The gross receipts tax
ne termed as having mo sense" but
he charged that "Congres can't put a
tax on a certain luxury here because
1t has a very marvellous lobby which
reaches all the way from California to
here" He charged that one reason
why no local income tax has been
enacted was because it might tax the
pay OF members of Congress.
Red Rider Recalled.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle. president
OF the Board of Education, held up the
infamous red rider" as an exanple