Evening star., 1940-12-06
Suffrage Leader Sees
Prospects Brighter
In New Congress
Reason to Hope at Least
For Some Progress,
W. S. Finch Says

Despite the welter of defense
problems which will besiege the
next session of Congress. Wilbur S.
Finch. president of the District
Suffrage Association, feels that the
prospects of action on Capitol Hill
toward vote for the District are
"a little brighter"
He made known his optimism to-
day following announcement that
the association will meet at 8 pm.
Monday at the Thomson School to
hear his report of the years work
and to elect officers and members
of the Board of Directors.
There is reason to hope at least
for progress next year." the veteran
suffrage leader asserted. For one
thing I believe the makeup of the
District committees in House and
Senate will be more favorable to
national representation and local
self-government in the District.
Reason to Hope.
Heretofore there has been diff
flculty in getting the subject out on
the floor. I think the new makeup
might bring on discussion.
Il don't feel that defense preoc-
cupation should hurt the chances
for debate on District matters. After
all there are regular District days
and regular District committees at
Capitol Hill-and the days must be
observed and the committees must
function no matter what other con-
Germs of are before Congress. And,
it only takes about five minutes to
vote
"On the whole I feel we have rea-
son to hope-and surely we might
as we'll try"
To Map Strategy.
He said that his association would
place its case before Congress imme-
diately after it convenes for its new
term in January, but will press first
for local sef-government. 1t is un-
likely, he added, that additional
hearings will be asked on the subject
as he feels the views of Washing
tonians have been thoroughly aired
before congressional committees.
After Mr.. Finch makes his report
at the meeting and his own recon-
mendatiOns, it is expected that the
association will map out a definite
plan of strategy for 1941.
Nominees for officers to be elected
at the meeting include Mr.. Finch,
president; Harry N. Stull, first vice
president; Mrs. Clara Wright Smith,
second vice president; William A.
Maio, third vice president; Harry S.
Wender, fourth vice president; C..
Herbert Marshall fifth vice presi-
dent, and william j. Bartle, treas
urer.
Board Nominees.
Other candidates may be NOM
mated at the meeting, as may the
candidates for the board Of directors.
The nominees for the board are:
Kenneth p. Armstrong, Russell NJ.
Balderson. Ulysses j. Banks, William
]. Bartle, L. A. Carruthers, William
NICK. Clayton, Henry L. Colman,
Mrs. Arthur D. Condor.
Earl w. Cooper, Harvey o. Craver,
James A. Crooks, Seton Darr, Orrin
]. Davy. George E. Diffenbach,
George r. Ellis, Mr.. Finch, Karl
Gerber, Rama S. Gibson, Churchill
Groves, Woolsey w. Hall, Ernest
F. Henry, Melvin D. Hildreth, T. j.
Houston.
Walter Trey, Sidney r. Katz, Mrs.
Frank E. Kells, Adelbert w. Lee,
Mrs. Olive E. Madden. William A.
Maio, c. Herbert Marshall, Judge
R. E. Mattingly, James Mcnamara,
William H. Mondell, Miss Helen
Moore, Mrs. S. v. Montgomery.
Mrs. r. K. Noble, George w.
Potter, Charles E. S. Rich, william
A. Roberts, Samuel Schmerler, w.
H. Seaquist, Malcolm S. Sharpe,
Donald T. Sheehan, Mrs. Clara w.
Smith. Harry N. Stull.
Jesse c. Suter, William L. Tancil,
Fletcher S. Tilton, William j.
Tucker, George A. Warren, Walter
F. Wasson, Harry S. Wender, M. j.
Wright and James C. Yaden.