Evening star., 1941-11-26
D. {. Suffrage Unit
Demands Election Of
Two Commissioners
Association Approves
Proposal Of Finch,
Reelected President

Charging that the city is unor-
ganized and that the Commission
ers are "up tree" as to what should
be done, Wilbur S. Finch, president
of the District Suffrage Association,
last night called for legislation pro-
viding for election of the two ci-
william Commissioners.
Speaking at the annual meeting
Of the association at the Thomson
School, Mr.. Finch, who was re-
elected president for his fifth term,
said that one Of the Commission
ers has adopted public be-
damned" attitude. He did not name
the Commissioner.
The Commissioners are trying to
reorganize the Government, he said
but he questioned that their changes
were "in the best interests Of the
people"
How do We know. for instance"
he asked" that the Police De-
partment reorganization was in the
best interest of the public? The
citizens have no one on the Board
of Commissioners to see to their
interests"
Resolution Approved.
The association approved reso-
luton he introduced calling for
amendment of the Organic Act of
1878 SO that the two civilian Com
missioners could be elected Ma
tional representation would follow
later, he said.
The resolution said elected rep
resentatives were needed in the
interest of local defense activities
Mr.. Finch had pointed out that the
Federation of Citizens Associations
and the Federation of Civic Asso-
Citations were the only organized
groups in the city ready to under
take the task Of setting up a ci-
villain defense system.
The forces of dictatorship and
tyranny are on the march, threat
ening our shores and our people, p"
the resolution said To guard our
democracy from this threat, our
manpoWef and resources are being
modified in a vast national defense
program. In every city and hamlet.
the 'cltlzenry is being readied and
forearmed against attack. under the
direction Of their duly elected local
governments. Only in the Capital
OF the Nation, the heart of our
democracy and Of the National De-
tense program itself. are patriotic
Americans deprived of the right to
elect those who head our local de-
fenSe and safety activities. '''
We, therefore, urge that Con-
greSs, In the interests of the best de-
tense OF American democracy. take
immediate steps TO secure full suf-
frage for the District of Columbia.
Armed with the right to vote, We
shall arm tand fight, if need be-
doubly we'll against the aggressor."
Officers Elected.
Beside Mr.. Finch, the following
officers were elected: Harry N.
Stull. first vice president: Mrs. Clara
Wright Smith, second vice presi-
dent; William A. Maio. third vice
president; Harry S. Wender, fourth
vice president; DR.. C. Herbert Mar
shall, fifth vice president, and Will
liam j. Bartle. treasurer.
Those elected to the borad of di-
rectors were Kenneth P. Armstrong,
Russell Balderson, Ulysses j. Banks
William NICK. Clayton, Henry L.
Colman. Seton Darr. Orrin j. Davv
George E. Dieffenbach, Karl Gerber,
Rama S. Gibson, Woolsey w. Hall,
Ernest F.. Henry. Melvin D. Hid
reth, George w. Hodkins, T. j. Hous-
ton and Sidney R. Katz.
Also, Hugh V. Keiser. James Nc
Namara, Mrs. Sarah V. MONTGOMERY,
Horace j. Phelps. Leon Pretzfelder.
William A. Roberts. Samuel Schmer-
Ter, William H. Seaquist, Mrs. Carrie
G.. Smith. William L. A. Tancil Ella
M. thompson. F. S. Tilton, Fred S.
Walker and George A. Warren.