Evening star., 1943-12-08
National Representation Urged
At Oldest Inhabitants Dinner

~ OIuCSI HuIUl
Senator Wiley, Republican, of
Wisconsin last night declared him.
self in favor of national representa-
ton for the District, of Columbia in
both the House and Senate.
Delivering the principal address
at the 18th annual dinner of the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants
of the District of Columbia, the
Senator also said that under the
Constitution he believed Congress
should maintain control of the To-
cal government of this city.
In outlining this position. Sena-
tor Wiley said he agreed on both
points with Theodore w. Noyes,
president of the Oldest Inhabitants,
whose annual address had been
read to the gathering previously
by Jesse c. Suter, vice president
Of the organization.
Would Amend Constitution.
"I believe" Senator Wiley said,
"the citizens of Washington are
entitled to representation in the
House and Senate and that the
Constitution should be amended to
give the District of Columbia one
Senator and one Representative"
The speaker praised the Associa-
ton of Oldest Inhabitants for Its
observance of Independence Day,
Washington's Birthday and New
Years Day, as symbolic of your
mission to your fellow men," He
also commended the group for orig
mating the custom of tolling the
bell on all steam craft passing
Mount Vernon, and the placing of
the American flag on all public
schools.
AN appreciation of the essential
basic Americanism of the District OF
Columbia is more than ever neces-
sarv." he said, since this community
is becoming more and more the hub
of world activity. Yours is a greater
challenge to duty today than it was
yesterday. Upon you has fallen the
responsibility of maintaining tradi-
tional American independence while,
at the same time furthering the
spirit of cooperation between ma
tions. I have every confidence that
the goal of a better future for your
countrymen is worthy OF the respon-
sibility which you have assumed"
Noyes' Message Read.
Mr.. Moves in his message expressed
regret at his inability to be present.
called for fiscal equity national
representation, opposed the McCar-
ran suffrage bill, and appealed for
united America to win the war. He
expressed his appreciation to Sena-
tor Overton of Louisiana for efforts
to get Congress to adopt his "busi-
ness like formula for determining a
more equitable annual payment by
the United States toward the eX-
penses of the District of Columbia as
substitute for the very unfair and
nequitable lump sum payment plan
which is by law the present prac-
tice. This is one of the local items
OF ma jor Importance, he added, for
which active battle must be waged
when this great World War has
ended IN victory.
Praising Senator Capper of Kan
sas for his recent speech on the SOL
dier vote bill, Mr.. Noyes recalled the
Senator's declaration: why do We
not get busy and see that the privi-
lege of the vote in national elections
Is extended to those who fight, who
bleed and die in the country's serv-
Ice, whose only offense, if any. is
that their home is located in the
unrepresented District of Columbia"
Points to D. c. Example.
Referring to criticism of voters
who fail to vote" Mr. Moves asked:
How can Uncle Sam appeal to or
denounce or threaten them with
any effectiveness when he himself,
at the seat of Government, sets the
example of contemptuous slurring
of the basic principles of represen-
tative government? How can he
lash the stay -at-home potential
voter when he himself arbitrarily
bars from the possibility of partici-
patton in their national Government
community of over three-fourths
of a million Americans, with over
100000 Census Bureau 1910 esti-
mate) residents of voting age who
cannot vote in the States, and who
constitute one of the most intelli-
gent, conservative and progressive
communities in the Republic?"
Mr.. Noyes said he recognized the
sincerity of our citizens who favor
the McCarran BILL" but, he added,
II do not share in their optimism
as to the beneficial outcome
Under the Constitution, the Con-
gress is at one and the same time
our local, State and National Legis-
lature,' he pointed out. Congress
is the actual governing body for the
District of Columbia, and I believe
1t always will be. Our hope for bet
terment, in my opinion, through
long years of study. is through
national representation which We
continue to seek" He quoted from
recent Evening Star editorial
pointing to the -Capper
joint resolution, as a simple and di-
ICSe Aclilcdy, piONllllll6 lldIlOIldl rep
resentation through constitutional
amendment. The resolution is pend
Ing in both the Senate and House
Judiciary Committees.
Commissioner Young Speaks.
District Commissioner Young in
brief speech praised the address of
Senator Wiley and reminisced about
members of the association.
John Clagett Proctor, vice presi-
dent, who presided, 'opened the
meeting at 2400 Sixteenth street
NV. with survey of the history
Of the association, praised Mr..
Noyes as the outstanding citizen
of the District" and called for a
rising vote expressing sincere re-
gret' that the association presi-
dent could not be present.
The traditional flower ceremonial
for those who died during the mast