Evening star., 1939-05-03
Denial Of Suffrage
To D. T.. Described
As Outrageous
Citizens Of Columbia
Heights Insist on
Elected Council

Describing as courageous the de-
nial OF suffrage to District of Co.
lumbia citizens, the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association last
night reaffrmed its opposition to
any reorganization of the District
government which does not contain
a provision for popular election Of a
city council.
1--WE should have a right to say
who shall be our officials in the
District and how our money shall
be spent" Col. Luther r. Maddox,
president, declared. In this demo-
cratic country a condition where
people are taxed and do not have a
right to vote is outrageous, to say
the least"
The association voiced It's ap-
proval of the post card campaign Of
the Citizens Conference on District
Suffrage, which is distributing cards
to organizations and individuals in
tho District addressed to Chairman
Randolph of the House District
Committee and urging him to in
clude some form of District suffrage
in the Griffenhagen plan to be con-
sidered in the House sometime this
week.
Members of the group pointed out
that local government reorganiza-
ton is worthless without the grant,
ing to District residents Of the right
to vote for local officials.
Fire Fund Cut Opposed.
After hearing George j. Richard
son, secretary-treasurer of the In
ternational Fire Fighters Associa-
ton, deplore the $4,000 cut in the
salaries of the District Fire Depart
ment personnel as provided in the
District supply bill, the association
unanimously opposed any reduction
in the Fire Department appropria-
ton for the coming fiscal year.
Mr.. Richardson also hit the item
IN the supply bill prohibiting any
promotions in the local fire service
during the next fiscal year. Not only
would this provision kill the initia-
tive and ambition of the flremen,
but 1t would lower the whole spirit
Of the department, he asserted.
"An employe Of the Fire Depart
ment would have no incentive to
study for higher positions or put
forth his best efforts If he knew
that no matter what he did he
wouldn't be advanced" Mr.. Rich
ardson declared. In addition, he
said, as vacancies occur they will
not be filled, tending inevitably to-
ward less personnel and less fire
protection for District residents.
Tracing the history and the back
ground Of the Fire Fighters Associ-
alton since its inception in 1918,
tho association official said his org
anization has constantly endeavored
to get fire departments all over the
country out Of politics, to improve
conditions of work In the fire service
and to attract capable men to work
as f1remen.
Pending Bills Praised.
"An efficient fire department pays
dividends to the community by rem
dering more effective service" he
said. by removing 1t from political
control and placing it under Civil
Service regulations, you as well as
the hremen will benefit"
He praised the bill pending In
Congress providing for a flve-day,
60-hour week for firemen, and an
other measure permitting local fire.
men to join the Fire Fighters As
sociation.
The flremen are entitled to bet
ter working conditions the same as
workers in other lines of endeavor,
he declared, in supporting the five
day-a-week bill. At present they
work u hours a week, he pointed
out.
Col. Maddox was reelected presi-
dent of the association. Other
officers named were George H.
Brown, first vice president; Col.
Glendie B. Young, second vice presi-
dent; DR.. A. v. Smith, third vice
president; Mrs. Marie Flynn Mad
dox, recording secretary; Walter I.
Swanton, corresponding secretary,
and John M. Boteler, treasurer. Mr..
Brown and Col. Maddox were Sc
lected as delegates to the Federation
of Citizens Associations. The group
met at the Mount Pleasant Congre-
oational Church.