Evening star., 1941-05-22
D. {. Representation
Resolution Tabled
By ClubWomen
Federation Convention
Acts After Brief but
Spirited Debate
By FRANCIS LIDE,
Women's Club Editor.

n LIAM ~ Vi L, way ZG'-h
proposed resolution on national rep
resentation for the District was
tabled today by the General FEEDER
alton of Women's Clubs convention
here after brief but spirited debate.
Indications were that it would not
be brought again before sessions of
the golden jubilee convention.
Statements that the resolution
would Sabotage" the constitution
were made after the resolution was
presented.
A West Virginia delegate, who
moved that the resolution be set
aside, asserted she was convinced
that the question has convincing
argument on both sides" But she
expressed the opinion that the ma
tional organization had not had
sufficient time to consider the issue
Carried by Voice Vote.
The motion was carried by voice
vote, although the General Fedora
ton president pointed out that the
resolution has been on the organi-
Zation'S study program for the past
six years. The resolution would have
Endorsed the proposed constitutional
amendment empowering Congress to
grant national representation to the
District.
Mrs. Ernest William Howard. leg
islative chairman of the District
Federation, asserted that for years
this whole compaign has been en-
gineered by powerful organization,
known as the Noyes organization,
which has printed every word of
literature in favor of it."
In spirited rebuttal, Mrs. E. B.
Merritt, past District Federation
president, pointed out that the or
ganization has long been in favor
of national representation for the
District. Theodore Noyes is heartily
in favor of it," she said, but the
District Federation has been work.
ing for it for years"
Mrs. Wiley Explains Plan.
Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley, who opened
the District representation discus
sion for proponents, pointed out that
~ anGtadment proposed is in ac-
cordance with American principles
and traditions and that 1t makes it
possible for Congress to give ma
tional representation to the citi-
zens of the District just as Congress
has already had the power to give
national representation to the terri
tories.
THE amendment corrects Con-
gress' lack of power" she declared.
1T does not direct or fix any time
limitation within which the powers
granted would be extended. This
is only the first step. After passage
through Congress and ratification
by the States it would still be up to
Congress to decide when such ma
tional representation would be
granted to us-the citizens of the
Nations Capital City"
Mrs. Pierce B. Ashburn, the Dis
trict Federation's corresponding
secretary, and Mrs. Arthur c. Wat
kins, who holds an important chair
manship, were others who spoke in
favor of the measure.
Sees Proposal Step Forward.
Presenting her appeal as pro
posal to Americanize the District OF
Columbia" Mrs. Ashburn asserted
that of "all Americans the people
Of the District of Columbia are alone
without the rights to choose repre-
sentatives in Congress and to vote
for President and Vice President" ."
The proposed constitutional
amendment marks real step for
ward making Washington a part of
the Nation, because it protects fully
the national interest which led to
national control of the seat of gov
eminent, and yet makes it possible
for Congress to end the denial of
vital and fundamental rights to the
people of the Capital City" she con-
tinued.
The majority of District of Co.
lumbia women here were in favor
Of the measure and some had lob
bied for it along hotel corridors.
The delegation had not been able to
set up headquarters for distribution