Evening star., 1938-12-08
Roper Backs District
Suffrage, Hai|ing
Capitals S Future
T. W. Noyes Pleads for
More U. S. Funds for
D. C.'s Development

4llSIlG UIBcu lIldI AL plcpdIdtlOIl IOl
this "the right of suffrage should
be recognized"
His declaration, at the Raleigh
Hotel before a distinguished group
of civic, business, banking, educa-
tional and labor leaders at the 73c
anniversary dinner of the Associa-
ton of Oldest Inhabitants, was
greeted with burst of applause.
The cabinet officer painted a
glowing word picture of the future
of the National Capital. He laic
down the high points of a suggested
program for new governmental
structure" here.
Representation Included.
Briefly these included:
The right of suffrage, including
participation in the electoral COL
lege and representation in Congress
by delegate"
The city manager system for the
city, assisted by council of men
and women.
Continuation of citizens associa-
tions.
At the outset of his prepared
address Mr.. Roper approved previ-
Gus remarks by Theodore w. Noyes
president of the Association of Old
est Inhabitants, who presided. Mr.
Noyes pleaded for political and
financial equity" and for Washing
tons physical and spiritual health
and beauty"
Next month, Mr.. Noyes explained
"a new Congress assemblies to which
our renewed pleas for fair play
must be addressed"
For the citys development, Mr.
Noyes emphasized, much money will
be needed, more than 'our burdened
city taxpayers can alone contribute. u
He proposed, therefore, that in
financial equity" the Nation allot
more money from Federal funds.
Vote Held Necessary.
No stable system of financial equi-
ty can long exist, he continued
"unless the power and influence OF
political equity sustain it with vot-
ing representation of the District
In the House, Senate and electoral
college"
Secretary Roper, emphasizing that
on this point he spoke only as a
private citizen, and mot as part
OF the administration" recommend
ed a municipal theater primarily
to develop the dramatic talent of
our young people
He reviewed the striking devel-
opment" of the community over the
period of nearly As years of his
residence here. He expressed pride
in parks, Fairgrounds and most OF
our streets" Urging continuation
OF "beautifying endeavors, the cab
met officer declared: Let us be
alert against unsightly road adver-
tising." Banks of the Potomac
River, he said, should be cleaned
up and beautified all the way to
Mount Vernon.
"It should be our endeaVor," de-
clared Secretary Roper, Ito make
this a model city in which to live
ourselves, and as a light set on q
hill for the entire Nation. In this
way Washingtonians can foster ma
tional patriotism, civic pride, out
ward beauty and inward culture.
Thus we can also hold aloft the
ideals of our forefathers and assist
our institutions in unfolding for the
future the security and happiness
Of all Americans"
In proposing city manager sys-
tenn Mr.. Roper turned and, looking
at President Melvin c. HaZen of the
Board of Commissioners, interpo-
lated into his prepared speech: "Of
course we would make Commission
er Hazen the manager"
Mentions Mrs. Doyle.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle, presi-
dent of the Board of Education, also
came tn for personal mention by
the cabinet officer when he was ex-
pressing appreciation for what
Washington had done for him
through his long residence. espe-
cially through "its educational and
cultural facilities for my children. y
The school system, he explained
was now presided over by this
gracious Mrs. Doyle"
Mr.. Roper paid high tribute to
Mr.. Noyes for his character and for
his public service.
In opening his remarks of greet
ing, Mr.. Noyes referred to the asso-
citation as having -four supervener-
ables over 80 years of age" The
eldest, Christian Heurich, now Sc
years of age, was present.
Nothing pertaining to Washing
ton is foreign to the Oldest Inhabi-
tant," said Mr.. Noyes, but he is
primarily interested in the animate
as distinguished from the inanimate
city, in the men and women of the
Capital rather than in its buildings
and avenues, its parks and monu-
ments.
THE inanimate Washington is
now in process of wonderful devel-
opment. The animate city, the fine
American community Of nearly co.,
900 people which has developed at
the seat of government claims for
itself and its material, intellectual
and spiritual welfare like measure
Of enthusiastic devotion.
Three-Poi Fight.
"Next month a new Congress as
eembles to which our renewed pleas
for fair play must be addressed.
Today's situation emphasizes the
close interdependent relationship of
the three items in the associations s
slogan: We fight for Cd political
equity, CO financial equity, CD for
Washington's physical and spiritual
health and beauty
For our city's wholesome devel-
opment materially, healthfully, at
tractively, intellectually and spir-
itually much money is needed, more
than our burdened city taxpayers
can alone contribute. This need can
not be adequately met unless, in ac-
cordance with financial equity, the
Nation allots more money from Fed
eral funds toward the maintenance
and upbuilding of the Nations City.
M stable system of financial eollitv