Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-08
wiley Reiterates Plea
For D. {. Vote Before
Oldest Inhabitants

Senator Wiley, Republican, of
Wisconsin last night reiterated his
conviction that the people of Wash
lngton should have national repre-
sentation in both the Senate and
House.
Addressing the Association of
Oldest Inhabitants at its Both annual
banquet at the Willard Hotel, the
Senator approved a message on ma
tional representation which had Just
been read to the assembly from
Theodore w. Noyes. president of the
association. Mr.. Noyes had declared
that the prospects for votes for
Washington now were brighter than
ever
The wonderful remarks of Mr..
Noyes express substantially my own
views on the subject" declared Sen
ator Wiley. Two years ago when I
addressed you at your annual BAN
quet 1 felt that people of this great
city were entitled to representation
in both Houses of the National
Legislature. l repeat that senti-
ment tonight"
Your city" he declared. "is the
finest capital in the world. You
have had lot to do in making it
such"
Sees Issue Sharpened.
Mr.. Moves annual message. read
by Jesse G. Suter. association vice
president, pointed to participation
OF District men in the war. the
leading role of the United States
in the United Nations Organization,
and the recent declaration by Pres
ident Truman favoring suffrage for
| the District, as sharpening the issue.
THE sentiment In our favor has
grown" the message declared, "the
signs of the times give a much
brighter outlook than ever before.
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas, co-author with Representa-
tive Summers, Democrat of Texas :.
of the pending joint resolution pro-
posing constitutional amendment
to empower Congress to provide
national representation to this city,
was a guest OF honor and listened
intently to discussion of the issue.
Asked afterward for his comment
on prospects Of the legislation he
declared hopefully: They were
never better"
Senator Wileys remarks and Mr..
Moves predictions of greater promise
for suffrage here were greeted with
enthusiasm by distinguished audi
ence which included many leaders
in official and civic life of the city.
Among the guests were District
Commissioner J. Russell Young,
Brig. Gen. Gordon r. Young, Engi-
neer Commissioner, and the presi-
dents and other officials of most of
the leading business and civic or
CARNATIONS of the Capital.
Wiley Gives Labor Views.
/ Senator Wiley also discussed the
present labor situation in the coun-
try. Referring to strikes, especially
the recent transit strike in Wash
ton, the Senator emphasized he had
been a laboring man himself, in
Wisconsin. He declared, however,
that for the good of both labor and
the public, organized labor should
be more responsible. He said he had
suggested that the Wagner Act be
"re-evaluated" and that additional
legislation be passed to establish
the legal responsibilities of unions.
The Anglo-Saxon concept of the
validity OF contract" he decla ced
must not be lost In this age"
Mr.. Noyes expressed pride in the
part played not only by the United
states. but also by the District of
Columbia in the war, both on the
battle front and the home front.
approximately 100000 of the vote
less and unrepresented men and
women of the District served in the
armed forces in all theaters of the
war he said. They worked,
fought. bled and died in the same
manner as their comrades from the
States. but when national election
time arrived they were Inundated
by being denied the right to cast
their ballot for the President and
Vice President and for Senators and
Representatives to rep 'esent them
in the Congress that ems cts the laws
under which they served their coun-
try
Pointing to the leading role
played by the United States in the
United Nations Organization, whose
charter assures all people a par
ticipation in the government of their
country, Mr.. Noyes declared, The
United States can no longer, with
consistence, withhold granting to
the people of the District of Co.
lumbia those rights which it advo-
Gates for all people of all lands
throughout the world" I
Calls for Implementation.
1.-THE situation created is most
interesting and full of promise for
early success in the long fight for
political equity for the people of
the District of Columbia. There
was little hope during the war for
definite accomplishment, as the war
effort naturally had to have first
place in everything political. But
political disabilities of our people
became more evident than ever as
We did our bit just as though we
were sovereign American citizens
The sentiment in our favor has
grown. The signs of the times give
a much brighter outlook than ever
before"
Referring to President Humans
press conference declaration favor
ing suffrage for the people here,
Mr.. Moves said, Il feel reasonably
sure that he had in mind the vote
in national elections" The Presi-
dert's attitude, he predicted, should
encourage the Democrats in Con-
gress to implement the District
blank in the 1910 and 1914 platforms