Evening Star Newspaper, July 24, 1940, Page 1

1 pm.; lowest, 72, at 5:45 am. — L2 e Closing New York Markets—Sales, Page 18 88th YEAR. Seven Ships Sunk, Reic Six German Planes Felled in Fight, London Claims Bs the Associated Press. LONDON, July 24¢—A furious air battle involving 60 planes was fought over the Thames Estuary today ‘Wwhen Germans attacked a merchant convoy and were scattered by a swarm of British fighters. British communiques said six of the German planes engaged in that attack were shot down and three others were shot down in raids over the northwest and southwest coast and Southeasi Scotland--nine in all. The Air Ministry said four were thot down in the southeastern raid by fighters and one by anti-aircraft, while another report said a sixth plane was forced into the sea in a subsequent chase. Thrilling Spectacle. A witness of the battle over the | Thames estuary, a youth who had | Just joined the Royal Air Force, said “the planes seemed to be coming in from all directions. “There were 50 or 60 at one time and as they whirled around it was difficult to distinguish British from German. “It was so thrilling that watchers forgot their own danger from fly- ing bullets and stood peering into the sky.” More than 100 bombs were drop- ped by six planes swooping down on | shipping off the southeast coast. The German high command, ap- parently referring to the same as-| sault, declared that Nazi fighting planes “annihilated” a convoy of five commercial vessels totaling 17,000 tons and set another merchant ves- sel afire. One of the fighters crashed in the middle of a road near some cot- tages. The other was forced to land in a cornfield. Raiders Strike at Shipping. Striking at shipping off the south- east coast, German bombers were engaged by British fighters and one of the bombers plunged into the sea. ‘The others fled. The pilot of the plane which nose- dived into the street was killed when his parachute broke in midair. The other pilot was seriously injured by machine gun bullets. One raider dropped high explosive and incendiary bombs on a South- 'west: Scotland area damaging build- ings. An 86-year-old woman was wound- hospital on the outskirts of a North- east England town. Another raider was brought down | in Southwest England. One of | the crew was killed, one wounded | and the other two were taken pris- oner. Blitzkrieg Expected Soon. British military leaders watched | the German operations closely for | a hint that Adolf Hitler is about to | launch his promised blitzkrieg. | Everywhere belief was apparent that the final test of strength may come at any moment. King George VI talked with Prime Minister Churchill for a half hour last night and later received Sir Cyril Newall, chief of the air staff. The purpose of the con- ferences was not disclosed, however. Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, announced ap- pointment of W. L. Stephenson, chairman of the board of F. W. ‘Woolworth Co., Ltd., as director general of equipment in his depart- ment, Appeal by De Gaulle. Gen. Charles de Gaulle, leader of the “French National Committee” in London, appealed meanwhile to Frenchmen everywhere to continue the fight against Germany. “It is your duty to do so,” he declared in a broadcast address Iast night. “Do not place the orders of a discredited authority before your sacred obligation to fight for the salvation of France.” He said French operations on land and sea would be resumed soon. The press devoted considerable space to comment on the emergency war budget submitted to the House of Commons yesterday by Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Kingsley Wood, including heavy tax increases. The London Times said it was *another interim budget” and add- ed “It remains to be seen whether the dose is strong enough to achieve the Chancellor's economic object— diversion of purchasing power away from commodities.” ——————— Water Gate Concert On WMAL Another half-hour breadcast in the “Sunset Symphony” series will be presented over WMAL gt 9:30 p.m, featuring music by the Na- tional Symphony Orchestra. Tonight’s program will be under .| the direction again of Dr. Frank Black, distinguished radio condue- tor, and will originate at the Water Gate. ., By all means attend the concert if you can. The music and the setting provides a combination that is exceedingly worth while. If you esnnot attend, tune in WMAL at 9:30 p.m. In arranging these broadcasts ‘The Star and the National Broad- casting Co. are co-operating with the Summer Concerts Committee of the Symphony Orchestra in its effort to further sppreciation and support of the orchestra in its con- tribution to the musical life of ‘Washington. Tickets for the concerts can be purchased at the Water Gate tonight, 2 No. 35,148. Husband, Returning From War, Is Killed Before Wife's Eyes By the Associated Press. LONDON, July 24.—Mrs. Tess Johnson waited happily on a quay to greet her husband and son-in-law, who were coming home on the naval trawler Campina. The British woman was glad for her daughter’s sake, as well as her own, for her son-in-law was coming home to see his wife and 9-month-old child. From the shore Mrs. Johnson could see her husband in the wheelhouse of the trawler. She smiled at him and waved. A moment later the craft hit an enemy mine. Johnson and his son-in-law were killed. The trawler's loss was an- nounced yesterday. Rumania Confiscates Biggest Briish Oil Company in Country Shell Subsidiary Accused Of Failing to Supply Production Information | By the Associated Press. BUCHAREST, July 24.—The Ru- manian government today confis- cated the largest British oil com- pany in Rumania. The confiscated concern was the Astra-Romane Oil Co, which is jointly owned by British and Dutch interests. Oil Commissar Gheron Netta ap- pointed one of his deputies to run the company for the government. A government order asserted that the concern, a subsidiary of the Royal Dutch Shell, had failed to supply “information on production” as required by Rumanian’law. Under the terms of a recent oil decree the Rumanian government now may send the company’s pro- duction to Germany for use by the Nazi armies. Since the start of the war the Astro-Romane company refused steadfastly to ship oil ta the Reich. United States oil men said the action against Astra-Romane does not affect American interests, although they acknowledged a pre- cedent had been created which might be used against any oil con- cerns in the future. U. S. Army Plans fo Mine New York Harbor Areas By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, July 24—The Army plans to mine the approaches to New York Harbor as soon as present maneuvers are completed, officers of the 52d Coast Artillery said today. The Army information service said soldiers at Fort Hancock, N. J., have | been busy laying “dummy” mines | and sweeping them up. These ma- neuvers will continue through August. The areas to be mined are around Sandy Hook. Shipping will be warned in advance. Ths mines will be controlled elec- trically from shore points, the service said, adding that they are not of the European type that explode on contact. Man, Legally Dead, Claims Share in Estate By the Associated Press. ST. LOUIS, July 24—Andrew Franey, 61, who was declared le- gally dead last October, has re- turned to St. Louis to claim part of a $32000 estate, his brother, z‘hnmns Franey, disclosed yester- ay. Andrew’s whereabouts had been unknown to his family for 42 years He arrived a few days ago from Long Beach, Calif. Andrew was declared legally dead by Probate Judge Glendy B. Ar- nold on infermation furnished by relatives that all efforts to find him had proved futile. His share of the estate, about $7,773, had been placed in the care of an administrator, he & henn ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION L) WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1940—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES, #%% 60 Planes in Furious BattlePlantoSave As Nazis Raid Thames Convoy; Draftees’ Jobs h Says Five Are Credited To Aircraft, Two To Submarine Bv the Associated Press. BERLIN, July 2¢—Nazi air and sea raiders, tightening their drive for the battle of Britain, destroyed seven merchant ships totaling 31,000 tons in the last 48 hours, the German high command said today. They also sank a British subma- rine, two patrol boats and a mine sweeper, according to the high com- mand. Five of the merchant ships, total- ing 17,000 tons, were sunk by Ger- man planes this morning in an at- tack on an armed British convoy, a communique said. A sixth com- mercial ship of 4,000 tons, last in the convoy, was set afire, the high command declared. Two of the merchant ships, total- ing 14,000 tons, were picked out of an armed British convoy by a sub- marine yesterday, an earlier com- munique said. The other British losses yesterday were inflicted by bombers, The high command also declared that Nazi bombers had wrought ex- tensive damage in Southern Eng- land yesterday, hitting several rail lines and roads, as well as reserve barracks. Claim 3 Planes Destroyed. The communique claimed the de- | struction of three British planes during R. A. F. raids over Northern and Western Germany last night. The raiders did little damage, the high command declared. DNB, official German news agency, elaborating on the com- munique, said the British submarine was attacked in the North Sea east of Aberdeen, Scotland, by a plane | which dived to within 250 feet of | the water before dropping three bombs. One hit the submarine abaft its| conning tower, DNB said, and a few | minutes later the boat nosed down, leaving a widening smear of oil on | the water. One German plane was lost in| yesterday's raiding activities, the high command said, noting that ad- verse weather conditions limited flights. Aim Is Peace in Southeast. Meanwhile as Germany got ready | for the decisive assault on the Brit- | ish Isles, her diplomats undertook a program of “constructive diplo-i macy” to insure peace in the south- east. Casting aside all reserve, Gérman commentators asserted Britain had signed her ‘death warrant by re- Jecting Hitler's peace overtures and loosed a flood of caustic criticism of English political leadership. British Foreign Secretary Lord Fairfax, who voiced his country’s determination to fight on, was char- acterized as a “funeral orator” by Hitler's newspaper, Voelkischer Beo- bachter, in an article topped by a red bannerline proclaiming: “Eng- land chooses war!” “England arrogant though fall- ing.” said a headline in the Boersen Zeitung, while the Allegemeine Zei- tung declared that “All Europe dis- counts England’s chances.” Few Weeks of Good Weather. When the long expected offensive against Britain will start and what form it will take remained Hitler's secret, but it was pointed out only a few more weeks of good summer flying weather remain and the blow is not likely to be long delayed. While the west resolved itself in the German view into “a military situation in which weapons alone can speak,” Nazi statesmen stepped up their efforts to protect the Reich’s interests in the Balkans. An announcement that Rumanian and Bulgarian statesmen had been invited to confer with Foreign Min- ister Joachim von Ribbentrop later in the week was taken as an indi- cation Germany might have sug- (See BERLIN, Page A-3.) House of Lords Begins Foreign Policy Debate By the Associated Press. LONDON, July 24—Ths House of Lords met today in secret session to debate the Churchill govern- ment’s foreign policy. The House went.intn secret ses- sion on the motion of Dominions Secretary Viscount Caldecote, over protests of Baron Addison, Laborite, whose questions on foreign policy had brought on debate. Summary of Today's Star P Amusements, B-18 Comics ._B-16-17 Editorials___A-10 Finance .___A-17 Lost, found B-12 Woman's Page, Obituary .__A-12 B-10 Foreign 60 planes in furious, battle over Thames sonvoy. Page Largest British oil company in Ru- mania confiscated. Page A-1 Daladier confined for war respon- ms&:flmy probe. Page A-4 Strasser and G report: 5 o et o oy Rome defenses in action to ward off raid. Page A-5 National. : Conscription bill amendment to pro- tect jobs outlined. Page A-1 Roosevelt assault on bolters indicates fighting campaign. Page A-3 Woman’s hatred of drugs leads to smashing of ring. “Page A-6 Washington and Vicinity Hearing u:: Tuesday on D. C. vote Alsop and Kintner. Page. Cohen tract rezoning to residential “B” urged by board. Page B-1 Montgomery authorizes rental of voting machines. Page B-1 Editorial and Comment This and That. Answers to Questions, Letters to The Star. David Lawrence. Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Lad Reds rated “in” following double defeat of Brooklyn. Page A-13 Nats headed nowhere, but annoy flag contenders. Page A-13 Houghton’s heroic golf feat washed out by .Page A-14 Oliveri lone survivor from D. C. in publinks & Page A-15 Miller first non-Y winner to boss athletics at Yale. Page A-16 Given Hearing Army Proposes to Call 1,400,000 Men Within Year By J. A. O'LEARY. An amendment to the pending compulsory military training bill designed to encourage employers to take back men called to se- lective service duty was outlined to the House Military Affairs Com- mittee today by Representative Wadsworth of New York, co-author of the measure. After Representative Clason, Re- publican, of Massachusetts had sug- gested it would be merely “a sop” because it expresses only the desire of Congress to see the men re- employed, Mr. Wadsworth pre- dicted it would be observed by the great majority of employers. Representative Kilday, Democrat, of Texas joined the discussion to point out Congress could set the example to private industry by writ- ing into the bill the assurance that Government employes called out for military training would be given civil service preference for re-em- ployment. Draft Plans Mapped, Earlier Brig. Gen. William E. Shedd told the committee the War Department plans to call out 1,400,000 men for military training within the year starting October 1 if Con- gxrfiss passes the . Burke-Wadsworth As he testified it became known from other official sources that the department has set September 1 as the tentative date for the first reg- istration, which probably would re- quire enrollment of the group be- tween 21 and 31. Meanwhile the Senate Military Affairs Committee continued in executive session today, working out details of the bill, which it approved yesterday in principle. Gen. Shedd told the House group the program calls for enlistment of 400,000 men October 1, another 400,- 000 next April and 600,000 in Oc- tober, 1941, Thomason Approves Principle. Representative Thomason, Demo- crat, of Texas, while approving the principle of selective service, said he wanted to be sure existing condi- tions justify cglling that many men out of other walks of life at this time. After Gen. Shedd had given the number to be sent to camp this fall, Mr. Thomason expressed fear “you are going to disarrange a log M- dustry” If 400,000 are fnduce to service in October after calling ‘out the National Guard. Gen 8hedd pointed out that if Congress adheres to the one-year training period, the first 400,000 men called out this fall would return to private life when the third group f 600,000 is called in October, 1941. Meanwhile, Senator Wheeler, Democrat, of Montana joined the ranks of opposition to the bill. “I am in favor of obtaining the men needed by voluntary enlist- ment,” the Senator said. “I am opposed to compulsory training in time of peace. That is the method that was used by Mr. Hitler, by Mr. Mussolini and the other totalitarian governments.” 2 Defending the proposed declara- tion of the intent of Congress on re-employment, Mr. Wadsworth said it was his understanding that, un- der the Constitution, Congress can- not go as far as to compel an em- ployer to re-employ a particular in- dividual. Favorable Sentiment Seen. “But I think it is far more than a sop,” the New Yorker declared. “I think it Will have the:effect of building up a sentiment throughout the country that the overwhelming majority of employers will support.” Mr. Wadsworth revealed that the re-employment amendment already has been included in a tentative redraft of the bill, reading as fol- lows: “Every man who satisfactorily ful- fills his duties of training and serv- ice under this act, in the judgment of those in authority over him, shall be entitled to a certificate to that effect on the completion of his period of training and service (it is declared as the purpose and intent of the Congress that every man who is called from a job when inducted for training and service and who receives such a certificate and is in sound physical and mental condi- tion ought to be re-employed in such job or an equally good one without loss_of seniority unless the employ- er’s circumstances have so changed as to make it impossible or unrea- sonable to afford such re-employ- ment; and in order to aid in the replacement of such men in their former jobs, or if such replacement is impracticable, in other jobs the director of selective service, herein provided for shall, if directed by the President, establish a personnel divi- sion with adequate facilities to the end in view).” When Mr. Kilday sugd®ted a (See DEFENSE, Page A-4) 220,000 Children Moved From Threatened Areas By the Associated Press. LONDON, July 24—Health Min- ister Malcolm MacDonald said to- day 220,000 school children had been removed to rural counties from Lon- don and towns along the northeast coast in the past six weeks. Removal from “invasion” areas has reached “enormous dimen- sions,” the minister said. Sunken Italian Cruiser's Commander Succumbs JENNINGS, You HAVEN'T WASTED ANY TIME TAKING THAT THING APART ! Guatemala Reported Opposing Mandate of Brifish Honduras Believed Planning to Seek Satisfaction of Claim in Future Change By the Associated Press. HAVANA, July 24—Guatemala was understood today to be prepar- ing an amendment to eliminate British Honduras from the joint trusteeship for European posses- sions in this hemisphere which has been proposed to the Pan-American Conference by the United States. Guatemala long as had claim against Britain for British Hondura: and was understood to be preparing to insist that her claims be hon- ored in-any future change in the colony's sovereignty. The United States plan called for return to the original governing power, or a grant of independence to any possession taken over under the joint trusteeship of the Americas as a result of changes of sovereignty threatened by the European war. Commission Gets U. 8. Plan. The Commission for Peace Main- tenance received the United States plan today and appointed a sub- committee composed of Secretary of State Cordell Hull, Mauricio Nabuco, Brazil's delegate, and Narciso Garay, Panama’s Foreign Minister, to draft a final measure for oonvention action. Secretary of State Hull discussed the proposal with various delega- tions. It was understood the Cuban delegation had a plan to present to the Economic Committee which would call for the refunding and unification of all her debts in the United States. These amount to about $200,000,000. Other problems were to be dis- cussed before the Neutrality Com- mittee by the delegates in secret session. They planned to conclude the confererice July 30, unless some emergency arises. Rio de Janeiro was considered a certain choice for their next meeting. American Proposal. ‘The American proposal is to set up “collective trusteeship” over West- ern Hemisphere colonies of Euro- pean nations in the event of any attempt by another non-American state to acquire them. The first draft of this resolution provide such a joint mandate would be shared in only by ratifying repyb- lics and would operate when any na- tion saw its security threatened. A committee including one repre- sentative from each ratifying nation would exercise the trusteeship, but would vest authority in a commis- sion including one member from each of three countries selected on geographic, economic and strategic considerations. The General Committee would de- termine whatever military aid or naval assistance was needed. The draft made clear that only temporary control was contemplated, with eventual return of the colonies to the original sovereigns or ulti- mate independence. Trusteeship Proposals Cause French Concern By PAUL GHALY, Chicago Daily News Foreign Correspondent. VICHY, July 24—Secretary of State Cordell Hull's declarations at :iuv:nl. particularly his suggestions or a French official circles here today. French spokesmen say the con- ditions of France’s armistice with Germany do not cover-French pos- sessions in the vicinity of the Amer- Guisna pe ritories not threatened by anybody, they t out by way of intimation that it would be better if no Pan- American $241,088 Tax Lien Filed {Against Union Head | | B the Associated Press. CHICAGO, July 24—A Federal income tax lien of $241,088 against Michael J. Carrozzo, president of the Chicago Common Laborers’ Union and numerous affiliates with thousands of members, was filed in Federal Court yesterday by Carter H. Harrison, collector of internal revenue. Two week ago authoritative Fed- eral sources disclosed that Car- rozzo had paid Uncle Sam nearly | $500,000 in recent years in an ef- fort to settle income tax affairs, The lien represented the Govern- ment’s claim for unpaid taxes, in- terest and penalties for the years 1" 7 and 1938. rrozzo is under indictment for .ws by excluding ready-mixed con- crete from Chicago area building | operations. Sentiment Growing For Hull 3-Point Defense Program Havana Committees Have Proposals Supported by U. S. and Other Nations By GARNETT D. HORNER, Star Statf Correspondent. HAVANA, July 24—Increasingly favorable sentiment for action to put into effect Secretary of State Hull's three-point hemisphere de- fense program against the reper- cussions of the European war was reported today as committees con- sidered detailed recommendations to the meeting of American foreign ministers. ‘The committees had before them specific proposals supported by the United States and a number of other delegates for establishing a collective trusteeship over any imperilled European possessions in the New World, stamping out subversive activities and increasing inter- American economic co-operation. Secretary Hull hoped the proposals could be adapted in committee to include the views of all nations without sacrificing the main objec- tives so that they could be pre- sented to the conference for final action as composite recommenda- tions without any particular coun- try’s label. This procedure was de- signed to avoid friction and jeal- ousies that might develop otherwise from pride of authorship. U. S. Shuns Sporsorship. Shunning United States sponsor- ship of any detailed projects, Secre- tary Hull held up the introduction of resolutions to implement the program outlined in his Monday (See HORNER, Page A-5.) -ged violation of the anti-trust| \Defense Expansion ‘Forces U. S. fo Rent Private Buildings Rail Retirement Board And Social Security Structures Are Delayed By NELSON M. SHEPARD. ‘With national defense expansion only just . the Public Build- ings Administration announced to- day it was forced to take immediate steps to rent new office space in several additional privately-owned buildings in Washington to meet the demands of various Federal agencies. Commissioner W. E. Reynolds re- ported that the Office of Planning and Space Control for the first time since the emergency is unable to house all the increased staffs under Government-owned roofs. For this reason the office is negotiating the leasing of more than 80,000 square net feet of space in four private buildings. In addition, the defense program has necessitated the shift of a number of administrative of- fices to vacated space in buildings already owned or leased by the | Government. Because no one is able to forecast with any degree of accuracy the total amount of additional office space required in Washington under the defense expansion, it was ex- plained the space control office is not committed to any definite policy. For the present at least, it was said, the situation would be met as new demands for office space are created. More than 1,000,000 net square feet of office space in many widely scattered units have been submitted to the Government, but it was pointed out tnat much of this is unsuited for use and costs of remodeling might make it disad- vantageous. Strikes Delayed Two Buildings. The Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board buildings in the Southwest will not be ready for occupancy until about September 15, it was said, because of ‘he two recent strikes on these jobs. When those buildings are occupied the office space situation here will be much improved. They are reserved for the War Department during the emergency. Commissioner Reynolds reported that the Government is arranging to lease the American Dairy Supply Building at Delaware avenue and Canal street SW. for the Alien Registration Office of the Justice (See BUILDINGS, Page A-3) Man Killed by Lightning Special Dispatch to The Star. MARTINSBURG, W. Va,, July 24. —Meredith Whitmoyer,- 40, farm worker, was instantly killed yester- day afternoon when struck by light- ning while crossing a field at Baxter. German Plane Loss During War Is Near 5,000, England Is Declared British Claim Gradually Overtaking Reich in Race for Control of Skies By the Associated Press. LONDON, July 2¢—Germany has lost 4,000 to 5,000 planes since the war began, British sources asserted in support of a claim that Britain gradually is overhauling Germany . in the rage for control of the skies. The . Royal Air Force is gaining doubled home production plus in- creased American deliveries, these sources said, although conceding that German mass production prob- ably has raised the Nazis’ numerical strength higher than at the outset of hostilities. . proaching, although she has yet * * * to overhaul it.” The British admitted that by the end of summer the air battles so far fought may appear insignificant, but pointed to their balance sheet of the first month of daily engage- ments and the start of the second. Score Since June 17. Reuters said since June 17, when Germany launched mass air attacks against England, the plane losses compiled from official British- rec- ords gave this score: German planes shot down, 133; British, 91. The Nazi Luftwaffe (air force) losses were given as 92 bombers, chiefly Heinkel 11ls, Dornier 17s and Junkers 83s and 87s, and 41 mfim Messerschmitt 109s and An Evening NewsPuper With the Full Doy’s News LOCAL—-NATIONAL—FOREIGN . Associated Press and (#) Wirephotos. North American Newspaper Alliance, Daily News Foreign Stafl Writers 'lulyneuua Photographers. Chici2go Service and The Star's s Arponia "4 Piese. THREE CENTS. Guyer Pledges Vote for D. C. Franchise Bill Sumners Resolution Held ‘Best Solution’; Movement Grows (Text of Resolution, Page A-2.) By JAMES E. CHINN. The Sumners’ resolution provid- ing national representation for the District—a measure that would give the disfranchised people here the right to vote for President and Vice President and have their own repre- sentatives in Congress—was de- scribed today by Representative Guyer, Republican, of Kansas, as the “best solution” of the local suffrage problem. Mr. Guyer is the ranking minore ity member of the House Judiciary Committee which next Tuesday will meet in special session to consider the Sumners’ measure. At that meeting, he said, he will vote to send it to the House floor for con= sideration. “I have been for sufferage for the District for years,” he declared, “I will vote for the Sumners resolution Tuesday since it appears to be the best solution of the problem.” Movement Gaining. A number of other members of the Judiciary Committee have indicated their intention of supporting the resolution. Mr. Guyer's promise of his vote came on the heels of a rising tide of sentiment in both the Senate and House for action at the present ses- sion of Congress on legislation to give the voteless people here the privilege of going to the polls on election day like other American cit- izens and casting a ballot. Definite action will be taken on the resolution, Chairman Sumners said, unless it appears a majority of the 26-man committee — 16 Democrats and 10 Republicans—is opposed to it. Approval of the resolution auto- matically will place it on the House calendar and in a position to be considered before adjournment of the present session of Congress. Bi-Partisan Support Noted. ‘The special meeting was called by Mr. Sumners following a demon- stration on the House floor Monday after Chairman Randolph of the District Committee made a plea for early consideration of the suffrage question —a .demonstration which indicated that both Republicans and Democrats are ready at last to concentrate on the voteless plight of the people here. ! Action of the Democratie National Convention in including a local suf frage plank in the party’s 1940 plat- form, actually furnished the spark for active renewal of the long fight to give the people of the District voting privileges. Republicans, how= ever, have joined in the movement, not, as has been intimated, to test the sincerity of the Democratic plat- form, but because they believe the residents of Washington should have the same privileges of those in the States in voting for President and Vice President and having their own representatives in Congress. Even before Mr. Sumners called the special meeting of his committee, members of both the Senate and House expressed a hope that the suffrage question would be acted on without further delay. Bankhead Sees Cause Aided. Speaker Bankhead admitted the action of the Democratic National Convention in writing a local suf- frage plank in the party platform increased the “likelihood” of cone gressional consideration of the sube ject before adjournment of Con- gress. He believes: however, local suffrage would have a better chance of congressional approval at this time than national representation. Among other House members who indicated they would support sufe frage are four member of the Judi- clary Committee — Representatives Murdock of Utah, Tolan of. Cali- fornia and Massingale of Oklahoma, Democrats, and Robison of Ken- tucky, Republican. A number of members of the District Committea already have openly advocated suf- frage for the District, and the latest additions are Representatives Shafer of Michigan and Bates of Massachu- setts, both Republicans. Sees Irony in Situation. “It's ironical that the people of ‘Washington, whc should have the same privileges as the people in any State, are denied the vote,” declared Mr. Bates. Mr. Shafer said: “It looks like the District got a break on the suf- frage question in connection with the action of the Democratic Na- tional Convention in placing a local suffrage plank in the party platform while Congress is in session. Now the people here can expect some action before ddjournment. “One thing the people -here do need is the vote.” “Some representation in govern- mental affairs must be given the more than 600,000 persons who live here,” said Mr. Murdock. “I have always been in favor of suffrage for the District,” declared Mr. Tolan. “I would ce; vote to report out a bill granting it'to the people here.” Long Favored by Robsion. Mr. Massingale said he, too, had always been.in favor of local suf- frage. Mr. Robsion explained when he came to Congress in 1919 he thought the people of the Ristrict should have voting privileges and he had not changed his views. On the Senate side, Senator Cap- per, Republican, of Kansas, one of the veteran leaders in the movement to remove the shackles of disen{ran- chisement from the people of the District, promised to continue his ‘fight. He said he believed there is more sentiment than ever before, both in Congress and throughout the country, in favor of giving the people (Bee ATION, Fg. A-5)