Evening star., 1938-10-18
MILITANT DEMAND
FOR VOTE URGED
Lincoln Park Citizens Told
to Act to Correct
Injustice to D. C.

Characterizing the voteless condi-
ton of the District of Columbia as
American" George r. Linkins,
speaking before the Lincoln Park
Citizens Association at its first meet
ing of the season last night, urged
all citizens groups to back constitu-
tional amendment. If 1t is necessary.
to obtain both local and national
suffrage for residents of the District.
Congress spends money we pay
money, and have nothing to say about
how the money is spent" Mr.. Linkins
said. Tracing the history of the
association since its organization in
1906 Mr.. Linkins. who was the first
secretary of the group. advocated a
more militant attitude on the part
of District residents to get vote.
Mr.. Linkins was one of a group of
three ex-presidents of the association
who recounted the history of the
Lincoln Park Association and of the
Southeast and Northeast sections Of
the city. The other speakers were
Joseph L. Gammell and John P. Kern.
Emphasizes Youth.
Mr. Gammell cited the necessity Of
organizing the youth of the city and
with them gaining the attention Of
Congress and even of the President"
I'VE can expect to go places and do
things with young people" Mr.. Gam
nell added. He said the addition Of
younger people to citizens associations
would fill them with enthusiasm and
force.
Declaring that recent survey
showed more young boys in the South
east that should belong to a boys
club than in any other part of the
city. Mr. Gammell asked that con-
tributions to the Community Chest
be directed for use in enlarging the
present boys club at Seventeenth street
and Massachusetts, avenue Sc.
Deploring the inadequacy of sewers
In the Southeast. especially during
rains. Mr. Gammell said that such
conditions prove the necessity for
the appointment by the President of
Commissioner who is in sympathy with
needed Improvements in the District
I'VE ought again to implore President
Roosevelt" he said. Ito appoint
man as soon as possible who knows
District municipal problems and who
is amenable to suggestions offered by
citizens associations" The associa-
ton unanimously approved his resolu-
ton supporting William NICK. Clayton
as Commissioner to succeed George E.
Allen.
Others who spoke before the group
were David Babp. secretary of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
and L. A. Carruthers. president OF
the Federation.
SAYS Groups Present Needs.
Mr. Carruthers compared the citi-
zens' association meeting to the old
New England town meeting. The only
drawback. he said. was that we can
only recommend. not act" He char
acterized the organization as making
known the wants of the community
to the proper authorities.
Plans to start a juvenile citizens
association in the Southeast Boys
Club were described by Orrin Davy,
secretary of the Southeast Council Of
Citizens Associations He said that
the boys should be invited to attend
adult citizens groups and learn how
to participate in civic affairs.
Mrs. Ernest B. Moose. chairman OF
the Public Welfare Committee, asked
that the association intensity its
efforts to have patients at Gallinger
Hospital in the early stages Of tubercu-