Evening star., 1944-12-08

ncUIIIcu oI DIIIIltI
OF Oldest Inhabitants
Chairman Summers of the House
Judiciary Committee last night pre-
dicted that Congress would approve
the Sumners-Capper propose
amendment to the Constitution to
empower Congress to Americanize
the Washingtonian with suffrage.
In the presence Of Senator Cap
per of Kansas, sponsoring the meas
ure to this effect in the Senate,
Representative Summers told the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants. in
annual banquet at Hotel 2400, that
the measure was based on sound and
democratic philosophy.
Il think we are going to get this
amendment through" he declared.
Experience will show it is not only
wise and just for the people here,
but valuable for the people Of the
whole Nation"
Sees Critics Answered.
In its present form, the proposed
amendment answers all its critics,
said Mr.. Summers, as it leaves In
the hands Of Congress future power
to continue the dominance of the
Federal authority here at the seat
of the National Government while
at the same time it gives residents
the right of suffrage.
| Theodore w. NoyeS, president of
the association, in a message read
in his absence by Jesse c. Suter, a
vice president, charged that the
voteless plight Of this city during
wartime was dramatized as never
before by refusal to let Washing
ton boys in the armed forces exer-
else the voting privilege" in the
recent election. He challenged
Washington to fight for the vote.
I'VE must be up and doing our
utmost in united, supreme effort,
declared Mr.. Noyes, making use of
every honorable device available to
arouse the interest of the country
and the Congress and to convince
them that the time has arrived for
striking the political shackles from
the Americans of the District of
Columbia and giving them the same
participation in the Government of
their country as is possessed by the
people of the sovereign States"
Distinguished Audience.
An audience of distinguished
municipal and civic leaders heard
the appeals for District suffrage. At
the head table were the three Dis
trict Commissioners and officials of
virtually every prominent business
and civic organization in WASH
ington
An impressive floral ceremonial
in memory of % members of the
association who died during the past
year was conducted by Acting Presi-
dent John Clagett Proctor and
Orrin j. Davy, financial secretary.
The musical program included songs
by Mrs. Roy L. Swenson, accom-
panied by Mrs. Flora Bennett, and
by George H. O'Connor, accompa-
MED by Sam Holland. Mr.. Proctor
read a humorous poem. Mr.. Suter
introduced guests of the evening
in the roll call of organized forces
that fight for Washington. The
Rev. Charles Willis Wood pro-
nounced the invocation.
Representative Summers con-
cluded his discussion of the pro-
posed constitutional amendment by
warm tribute to Mr.. Noyes for his
long fight for District suffrage. The
speaker said that both he and
Senator Capper joined in "appre-
citation and gratitude to the grand
old man, who is not here with us to-
night in person"
Assemblage Sends Message.
In response to Mr.. Summers sug-
gestlon, a message was authorized
by the assemblage to be sent to Mr..
Noyes, expressing such sentiments.
The message, prepared by Charles
H. Bates, chairman of the Enter
tainment Committee, put the as
sembly on record as joining with
Mr.. Summers in the hope that Mr..
Noyes may live long and may see
adoption of this amendment by the
people of the United States"
Chairman Summers went into the
subject at some length in his ad-
dress. The basis of American phi
losophy, he declared, was mo gov
eminent except by the consent of
the governed" Asserting that this
city was the workshop of the Fed
eral Government and that Federal
interests must predominant here,
he said it was equally true that
everything should be done for the
people here that can be done that |
will not interfere with the Federal
Government.
The enabling act proposed in the
pending amendment, he explained,
broadens the scope of the way Con-
gress can discharge its responsibility
to the Federal City.
I'VE have never yet got across tot
members Of the Senate and the
House" he continued, lust what
this measure proposes to do
Explains Resolution.
The resolution, he explained, pro-
vides for such representation in
Congress from the District as in the
Judgment of Congress should be
given, and further allows Washing
tonians to participate in the election
OF a president. But safeguards are
thrown up, he went on, which give
Congress power to modify or even
withdraw entirely from. the District
these rights. Such safeguards, he
asserted, protect for all time the
dominant interest of the Federal
power.
He answered certain criticism of
the proposal. IF you say this Dis
trict is the home of the Federal
Government, there is no conflict.
II you say the United States is dom
inant here, there is no conflict. If
you say this generation ought not to
do something the next generation
| ~ T.