Evening star., 1938-05-01

carry extra weight with the members
OF Congress, who can decide the fate
OF the disfranchised District residents. "
Mrs. Louis Gutenberg, president OF
the Voteless District of Columbia
League of Women Voters. expressing
deep gratification over the surpris.
ingly heavy voting, said:
I have just returned from a con-
vention in st. Louis of the National
League of Women Voters, where repre-
sentatives from % States pledged their
support for complete suffrage by con-
stitutional amendment for the District
of Columbia
They did not consider it necessary
to wait for the results of the referen-
dunn before taking this action, because
they recognized that in a democracy
every citizen, unless a convict or in
sane. has the right TO voice in the
making of the laws which me must
obey"
Locher Has Plan.
While rejoicing in the great refer
endum balloting. John Locher, presi-
dent of the Central Labor Union and
secretary of the Washington Building
Trades Council, suggested a practical
means of aiding in the campaign for
congressional approval of the repre-
sentation bills.
Referring to the thousands of men,
bers of the Central Labor Union in
the metropolitan area of the National
Capital, he suggested that those living
IN Maryland and Virginia could WELD
an influence with their Representa-
tives in Congress.
The size of the vote in the refer
endum Is very solid proof that WASH
ington wants the vote" he added.
Washington not only wants - but
should have - representation in the
body that makes its laws and levies
and spends its taxes. Members of
Congress should remember that the
District has been paying more in taxes
to the Federal Government than the
total from numerous States
We of the Central Labor Union are
very anxious for the vote and for rep
resentation in. Congress. We have been
on record for suffrage for many years.
1t is one of the aims of the union.
am greatly cheered by the results
and hope that we can 60 forward with
this new foundation"
Representative Randolph, Democrat,
OF West Virginia, who is prominent in
District affairs as a member of the
House District Committee, said he was
extremely pleased" with the turnout
for the referendum and, like many
others, was amazed at the size of the
vote in an unofficial poll of sentiment.
Richardson Greatly Pleased"
William E. Richardson, president of
the Society of Natives, another of the
organizations which has worked for
years for representation for the Dis
trict, said he was greatly pleased"
with the active interest in suffrage, as
demonstrated by the ballots
Il believe the results of the refer
endum greatly strengthens our chances
for winning representation in Con-
gress," he added I'm this connection,
let me suggest that Washington really
deserves two Representatives in the
House and one in the Senate. Ordi-
narily, the average congressional dis
trict has some 250,000 residents and
for this reason it would appear that
the District would be entitled to at
least two in the House
1t is my hope that when we have
won representation, one of our Repre-
sentatives in the House will be desie.
mated chairman Of the Appropriations
subcommittee in charge of the District
appropriations, and that the other will
be made chairman OF the committee.
IN charge of general District leRis-
lation
When Congress considers our ne
tition for representation it should be
borne in mind that we do not aim to
exclude Congress from constitutional
control over the National Capital. We
recognize that this is the Federal city.
the seat OF the National Government.
but We still can have representation
IN Congress and voice In purely local
affairs"
Thrilled at Size Of Vote.
Arthur Clarendon Smith, first presi-
dent and one of the founders Of the
Federation of Business Mems Asso-
Citations, a leader in the local suffrage
fight. said:
"The size of the vote really is 50 far
beyond our fondest expectations that
we all are thrilled to death. Now, let's
petition Congress to take decisive &C.
tion. Congress could grant the Dis
trict vote in municipal affairs at
this session, If it will. Representation
will come later through the necessarily
slower process"
L. A. Carruthers, president Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
predicted the referendum vote would
have a real influence with Congress,
assuming that there was q Large, pro-
nounced majority Of the voters in
favor of both national representation
and a vote in municipal affairs.
4 Col. w. A. McCathran, former COM
sn1ander of the District Department Of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said,
1--WE have had . live demonstration
Of the apparent desires of the citizens
for q vote"
Mrs. Richard Hogue. president Of
the Washington Branch of the Ameri-
can Association of University Women,
said the referendum was "a demon
stration Of the good, solid American
ism" Of the people of the District.
1T was an inspiring sight to watch
men and women Of al classes and al.
most every character pass through the
polling places in an almost steady