Evening star., 1938-02-20

program of work.
Education and the stimulati
been the principal methods emp
to attain their goal Voteless themselves
and working under recognized ham
dicap in the promotion of reforms
league members realize that effective
pressure must come from outside OF
the District.
When Mrs. Charles H. Weston, chair
man Of government and its operation
visited Connecticut recently on q
speaking tour she was attempting to
secure outside support.
1T was surprising that many in my
audiences did not realize that we were
without the vote and a few even
thought that we Washingtonians did
not pay taxes. People probably know
these facts in a general way, but are
not impressed by them. I was able to
reach most of the leagues in the State
through series of county meetings
and now feel sure that we can count
on the help of Connecticut in the fu-
ture. Other States could probably be
brought into line. too, If we could send
speakers to them. 1t would be great
help If we could reach all OF the
State Legislatures"
Material Circulated.
"On my recent trip I explained
some OF the queer things that happen
in a town without a vote. People
seemed particularly interested in the
TACT that because the National Zoo is
IN the District of Columbia budget. we
pay 81 per cent Of its upkeep. To be
sure. our Children do have the advan-
tage of having a wonderful Zoo, but
at the same time they suffer the dis
advantages of deplorable public
health situation and inadequate public
schools"
Quantities of material on District of
Columbia taxation and fiscal relations
have beenS carefully prepared by the
league and widely circulated. Other
groups working for the same objective
recognize the excellent quality of the
leagues material and there is a gen.
eral agreement that when the league
prepares statement it is authentic.
One chart, which has created gen.
eral interest. demonstrates the gradual
shrlnkage in the amount of money
appropriated by Congress for District
support, from 36 per cent of the total
budget in 1923 to the 13 per cent ap-
propriated in 1887. It also points out
that in the perennial controversy over
the amount of the Federal contribution
the citizens have no direct representa-
ton.
Set-up Explained.
Another statement explains the
set-up of the District and shows that
though the citizens contribute their
share to- national revenues. they still
have no voice in the spending of those
funds. The often repeated claim that
District people vote in other States and
50 are represented is shown to be fall
lacious, and the pamphlet asks What
about the large number of people born
and raised in the District who have no
other residence?" Besides, voting in
another State gives no voice in the
conduct of local affairs, and home
conditions are of vital importance to
citizens.
The remedy, representation in Con-
gress, the league points out, would not
Shange the local government and
would not remove legislative control
by Congress, but would remove an old
injustice by granting to District resi-
dents political rights enjoyed by other
citizens of the United States
At the time of the Inauguration of
Roosevelt inauguration league mem
bers co-operated with other civic
groups, through the Citizens Joint
Committee on National Representa-
tion. in demonstrations calling the at
tention of visitors to the "voteless
plight" of the District by handing out
quantities of handbills On several ma
tional election days the league spon-
sored the exhibition of ballot boxes
draped in black, displayed in promi-
nent locations.
Candidates Quizzed.
Through cooperation with State
leagues, affiliated with the National
League of Women Voters. question:
nalres have been sent by State leagues
to candidates for election to Con-
eress and one of the queries in them
Is do you favor Federal suffrage for
the District Of Columbian" In this
way the matter is presented and, too,
the stand of the candidate is recorded.
The National League is responsible
for> the beginning Of movement In
the: States for memorializing Congress
by,State Legislatures for the passage
of sthe congressional joint resolution
for: national representation. Cali
forpia was the first State to send such
a pemorial.
While this is one of the continuing
activities Of the local league, the work
of studying local conditions and edu-
eating women voters Is carried on
asjt is in other States. In addition
to the department of government and
its Scperation, under which the suffrage
program Is handled, the league has
departments of child welfare, of which
Mfs. r. Gordon Wagenet is chairman;
of'government and economic welfare,
!, with Mrs. David Cyhman Coyle
chairman; of government and the
legal status of women, Of which Mrs.
Pearl B. Klein Is chairman. and of
government and foreign policy, with
MIS-, NJ o. Lorenz in charge.
~- Reforms Suggested.
Various study groups make careful
Investigations of local conditions and
suggest reforms. The Child Welfare
Department has studied the Juvenile
Court long and carefully. It now
sponsors bill that would change that
court from q court Of criminal pro-
cedure to a court Of chancery. The
Department of Economic Welfare has
recently completed an important study
on the condition Of employables Of the
District who have been refused relief.
Thiss group recommends more case