Evening star., 1942-09-12
National Distribution
OF Facts 10 Stress
D. T.. VoteIess PIiqht
$4,000 Broudsides to
Point to Hundicop TO
Good Government

A total of rs, 900 copies of broad
side entitled Washington: Our Ma
tional Home Town" are in tht
hands of key workers In the Vote
less District League of Women
Voters today, preparatory to f;ve-
day campaign for their intensive
circulation here starting Septem-
Der 81.
Devoted to the problem of gov
ernment for the District of Colum-
bis." the broadside was praised yes
terday by Senator Burton, Repub-
lican. of Ohio as an excellent ex-
uosition of the situation here for
the broad section of the public it is
intended to reach.
Senator Burton spoke at an in
struction meeting for campaign
workers at the YWCA called by
Mrs. Eugene Callaghan, league pres
ident, and Mrs. Eugene Duffield,
suffrage chairman,
The District is one of the few
places justified in bringing its form
of government to the attention OF
the country, declared the Senator
who formerly was Mayor of Cleve-
land.
Government irresponsible"
Branding Washington's system of
government as SLOW, indirect and
irresponsible, the broadside points
out that no citizen of the District
votes for any one and that only
elected representatives can change
the situation.
That the circular will be released
In 600 communities in 33 States in
which there are member leagues or
the date specified for its release
here was disclosed by Miss Betsy
Knapp, representing headquarters
of the National League of Women
Voters.
Every league in the country will
set aside that week for its distribu-
tion," she said, adding that radio
programs also would call attention
to its contents.
Written and published by the ma
tional league, the broadside is one of
a series on public questions in the
leagues war service program, Miss
Knapp explained, and is in line with
the organizations long standing pol
Icy of wanting to do something"
about the District of Columbia.
The campaign for Its circulation
Is believed to mark the first Nation
wide. comprehensive effort to tell
the country about the situation in
the District with respect to its
government, Miss Knapp added.
Explaining the point of view from
which the broadside is written, Miss
Knapp declared:
The fact that no citizen of the
District has any responsibility for
its government is what makes the
District of Columbia unique.
No solution is offered, she pointed
out, but the circular is issued in
the hope of creating wide under
standing of the problems here on
which solution can be based.
In publishing its broadsides, the
leagues purpose is to reach a big
audience whose appetites we can
whet for more,' she said. 7a4
While citizen apathy to problems
Of government is an expensive luxury
at all times Miss Knapp com
mented, tits one we can't afford al
all in war"
To Inform New Residents.
Mrs, Duff1eld, who is in charge of
the local campaign. explained that
the emphasis would be on reaching
new residents and transients here.
The fact that so many newcomers
recently have come to Washington
affords a rare opportunity to interest
those who have voting residence
back home in the local problem of
government, she added.
One group of campaign workers
will be composed of league members
who still have voting residence and
who plan to call on their respective
member of Congress at the Capitol
Mrs. j. r. Bourne heads this dele
cation.
Neighborhood group organizers
will be under the Craftsmanship oi
Mrs. B. M. McKelway. while Mrs
Harold Stone heads group of dis
eussion leaders.
The campaign is expected to In
volve approximately 1000 women.
1t also was announced that two
broadcasts will be given September
Is In connection with the campaign
A l5-minute program over WMAL
will start at $50 pm, while ar
earlier program will be carried BY
WINK at 1890 am.