Evening star., 1941-05-25
Rival Candidates
In Maryland Favor
Vote for District
Stewart and Mrs. Byron
Give Their Views on
Suffrage Question

Representation III SUllsltoS 4uI
the District of Columbia is favored
by both candidates in Tuesdays
special election to select Repre-
sentative from the 9Th Maryland
congressional district.
Mrs. Katharine E. Byron, Demo-
crat, and A. Charles Stewart, Re-
publican. made known their atti-
tude on the franchise issue IN reply
to a questionnaire from the Mont
gomery County League of Women
Voters. The questionnaire covered
several current issues.
THE people of the District OF
Columbia are entitled to vote" Mr..
Stewart said. They should have
a voice in their government. Taxa
ton without representation is not
the American way"
The Democratic candidate assert
ed Il am heartily in favor Of giving
every citizen of the United States a
vote"
Close Contest Predicted.
Party workers in both camps yes
terday predicted one of the closest
contests in years in the election TO
name a successor to Mrs. Byron's
husband, the late Representative
Byron, who was killed in an airplane
crash
In reply to the League of Women
Voters questionnaire, both candi-
dates reiterated their Endorsement
of all possible aid to Great Britain
Mr.. Stewart told the voters
league he favored increased appro-
priations to implement the Ram
speck Act and to meet increased
demands on the Civil Service Com
mission by the defense program, ard
added
The Civil Service provides for
security for Government employees
and makes for more efficient Gov
eminent personnel. Patronage has
no place in good government"
Approves Social Security.
On other issues, Mr.. Stewart de-
clared: II am against the equal
rights amendment. 1t would not
provide equal rights but would make
Tor confusion.
Social Security is to be treasured
at all times and I will make every
effort to see that a sound program
is carried out"
He said he favors a Federal
State commission to study tax re-
lations and work for coordination.
With the Governments present
huge demand for money, taxes
should be on the ability to pay, he
said.
In reply to the question about
the Ramspeck Act, Mrs. Byron said,
st believe that everything possible
should be done to eliminate the
spoils system in selecting Govern
ment personnel and l propose to
support all legislation intended to
promote the efficiency of Govern
ment employees. I am in favor OF
any legislation or appropriation that
may be necessary to attain this goal" 3"
Mrs. Byron Tells Views.
Concerning other issues, she said,
"I have always been in favor Of
equal rights for women and the
elimination of discrimination, but
am apprehensive concerning the
possibility the so-called equal rights
amendment may prove to be a case
of the cure being worse than the
disease. I have given the matter
considerable study and believe that
local remedies may possibly be a
more satisfactory solution. II
it develops that Federal legislation
is the only feasible solution, I would
favor redrafting the amendment to
guarantee the retention Of all gains
thus far made.
Il am extremely desirous of see
ing all the social gains of the past
two decades retained and strength
ened and would favor diversion of
funds from social service to mill
tary purposes only as a last resort.
Greater coordination of Federal
and State tax structures is emf
nently desirable. However, the
problem is difficult and complicated
and a solution will require profound
study. I believe the question of ap-
pointing a commission to handle
such a study is something to which
Congress might very well give seri-
Gus consideration.
Talks at Oakland.
IT believe that the principal OF
taxation based on the ability to
pay as exemplified by the Federal
income tax is sound.
In Oakland, Md, last night, Mrs.
Byron declared her attitude toward
labor was no different from that of
her late husband who had the
wholehearted support of the labor
ing men of the district in the last
campaign he made" the Associated
Press reported.
She said John T. Jones, Mary
land C. I. o. leader had declared
she countenanced low wage scales
and was directly responsible for the
pay scale in a tannery business
operated by her late husbands fam
lily. Mrs Byron explained she had
no financial interest in the tan
merry"
She also added Il do not think
that personal feelings of any labor
leader with respect to candidates
for office entitle him to attempt tc
mislead labor into following his
choice"
High light of the campaign today
will be the presence of both cand1-
dates at the dedication Of a new
Cumberland airport. Mrs. Franklin
D. Roosevelt is expected to greet
Mrs. Byron on a brief stop-over ir
Cumberland en- route to Arthur
dale, w. Va.