Evening star., 1937-02-18
EQUALITY URGED
|NSCHOOL QUOTAS
Civic Organizations Ask In
crease in West Point and
Annapolis Appointments.
BY J. A. OLEARY.

Pointing out that at least eight
States smaller in population than the
District have more appointments to
the United States Military and Naval
Academies. group of local civic or
carnations today appealed to a Sem
ate subcommittee for equality in the
number Of appointments.
Senator Reynolds, Democrat, of
North Carolina, who conducted the
hearing, said he would present the
question to the entire Military Affairs
Committee as soon as additional sta
tistics he asked for this morning are
received.
The witnesses emphasized that on
the basis of the 1880 census figures
there were eight States below the
District in population, but with ap-
pointments to both academies rang
ing from 81 to %, whereas the Dis
trict at present is entitled to only nine.
They asked specifically for change
in the law to place the District on an
equality with the States of less or
similar population.
Capt. Patrick H. Tansey, Assistant
Engineer Commissioner. said the Com
missioners believe Washington should
get its fair share of appointments.
Citizens Indorse Move.
The Forest Hills Citizens Associa-
ton, through L. A. Carruthers, presi-
dent, and Mrs. Leslie B. Wright, sec
retary, took the lead in presenting
the question. Others who Endorsed
the appeal included:
F.. Hunter Creech and Paul VIII
liams, Woodrow Wilson Home and
School Association; Dr. E. S. New
ton, principal of Western High
School; Mrs. Robert Randall, Phoebe
Hearst Parent Teacher Association;
w. j. Calnan. Alice Deal Home and
School Association; Col. Wallace M.
Craigie, instructor of local high school
cadets; Mrs. Ward Grifith, jr, and
z. c. Potter.
The speakers did not raise the ques-
ton of inequality regarding appoint
ments from the National Guard, the
Naval Reserve or presidential appoint
ments.
They centered their argument on the
difference in the number Of appoint
ments allowed the States on the basis
of congressional representation, as
compared to the nine appointments
the District Commissioners are per-
mitted to make-five to West Point and
four to Annapolis.
New Hampshire Cited.
To illustrate the situation. Car
ruthers said New Hampshire. with q
1880 population Of 5,293, was en-
titled to IL at West Point and l6 at
Annapolis, or 28 in all. The District
that year had q population OF 4S6,oOC
and nine appointments.
He listed Vermont, Delaware, Idaho
wyoming, New Mexico. Arizona ano
Nevada as the other States which hac
from 81 to 2e appointments on the
1880 figures, although below Washing
ton in population. Reynolds asked
4OI 4lS ACo Ok1 bAAC CobAAAAnNOA R0RN
lation of the States today. The Dis
trict,s present population is estimated
at $4,000.
When Senator Reynolds suggested
Washington's population includes
some citizens of States, Mrs. Wright
said she understood not more than
e5, 900 vote in the States. Reynolds
pointed out that would still leave O
population of about $4,000.
Mrs. Wright told Senator Reynolds
Malcolm S. McConihe, Democratic
National Committeeman for the Dis
trict, is supporting the movement to
have the Districts number Of ap-
pointments increased.
Col. David Y. Beckham Of the Army
and Comdr. T. s. Wilkinson Of the
Navy outlined the law and rules gov
| erning allotment ,pf appointments.