Evening star., 1943-05-16
Citizens Federation
Votes Support Of
Delegate Bill
Move Called First Step
To Full Representation
In Congress for D. c.

tdIc olSIIlCC d OcicSdCC Ill LIlc 11OuSc
was voted last night by the Fedora
ton Of Citizens Associations at its
meeting in the District Building.
Both Wilbur Finch. chairman of
the Suffrage Committee. who pre-
sented the argument of his COM
mittee in favor of the bill, and
President Harry S. Wender declared
the Walter bill was a preliminary
step to national representation.
Mr.. Wender, who turned the gavel
over to Walter Wasson, first vice
president, to make strong plea for
the delegate proposal. said it would
take years Of groundwork to pre-
pare the way for constitutional
amendment leading to national rep
resentation.
Amendment Takes Long Time.
I'VE must take small objectives
first" he declared.
Mr.. Wender said sit had been
definitely ascertained" that it would
be impossible to obtain passage this
year-and perhaps for many years
of a constitutional amendment on
national representation. Referring
to those who have worked for such
an amendment over long period
OF years, Mr.. Wender said he had
made a pledge to them that support
of the delegate bill did not imply
opposition to national representa-
ton. He added that such a dele
gate would stand committed to ma
tional representation.
To those who are opposed to all
forms of District suffrage, Mr.
Wender said that if the residents
here could not handle the election
of delegate "sanely and in
teligently" those backing suffrage
would have ito fold their tents and
steal as silently away as the Arabs. 3"
He pointed out, however, that if
the elections were handled properly
it would prove to the Nation the
right of the District to have ma
tional representation. $500.
Mr.. Finch, who also is president
Of the District Suffrage Association,
argued that the delegate bill would
place the District of Columbia on
at least an equal footing on our ma
tional legislature with the territories
now represented there by such dele
gates"
Delegate Called Great Need.
"A delegate from the District to
Congress is greatly desired by many
members Of Congress and much
needed by the people of the District
to serve as an Official, full-time
spokesman in District matters not
only on the several congressional
committees having to do with Dis
trict affairs, but also on the floor
Of Congress as we'll" he continued.
He (the delegate) would be IN
a most advantageous position to Sc
cure that political and fiscal equity
for which many of us have worked
for years" Mr.. Finch added.
The federation authorized the
chairman of its Health Committee,
DR.. Charles Campbell, to consult
with proper authorities" on plan
for having pharmacies in hospitals
in various sections of the city open
on a 24-hour basis as an alternative
to the demand of the Randle High
lands Association that one drug
store in each section of the city stay
open "a hours day.
Only One Open Now.
DR.. Campbell said that at present
only one pharmacy. at Fourteenth
and M streets NV, was open all
day and night. He said it would
be difficult to carry out the Randle
Highland plan because of the Short
age Of pharmacists in the city,
whom he estimated at 600-one- half
Of those needed. He predicted that
the hospital pharmacy plan could
be worked out between the hospitals
and the District Pharmaceutical
Association
Baxter Smith. chairman of the
Safety Committee. was authorized
to support the proposed modifica-
tions as temporary measures in the
building code which will be discussed
tomorrow at the District Building.
These notifications affect certain
fire regulations during the war be-
cause OF shortages in critical ma
terials.
Without opposition the Federation
accepted the Brentwood Terrace
Citizens Associa ton into member
ship on the recommendation of its
Membership and Credentials Com
mittee, headed by Mrs. Olive G.
Falrcloth. The association is In the
Northeast section of the city and
Will be represented in the Federation
by w. E. Cunningham and r. w,
Donnally.
Drive to Continue.
James A. Crooks, chairman of the
War Bond Committee, which re-
Gently conducted a drive to sell
$4,000 for a medium bomber to be
named after the Federation. report
ed that sales amounted to $685.
1925. He urged that member bod
les continue their efforts and Mr..
Wender said he hoped that it
would be possible to dedicate a
bomber during the summer. Con-
tinuation Of the drive. Mr.. Wender
added, might be considered an ex-
preston Of appreciation of the Al
lied victory in North Africa.
Other action taken by the dele
gates included An appropriation of
$40 towards observance of Il Am
an American Day; approved the
proposed celebration in September
of the $50 anniversary of the lay
Ing of the cornerstone of the Cap
itol; ordered a letter of sympathy
sent to A. J. Driscoll. president Of
the Mid-City Citizens Association,
whose wife died several weeks ago,
and backed the bill of Representa-
tive D'Alessandro of Maryland pro-
viding machinery for the election of
delegates from the District to ma
tional political conventions.
Agency to Work Longer
r ki-l