The Washington times., 1912-09-12
DR.. WILL REPLIES
TO THOSE OPPOSING
DISTRICT SUFFRAGE
Columbia League Holds
Meeting And Adds Mem
~ berS to Roll.

Stating that the citizens associations
Of Washington are supposed ito consist
and exist for the benefit of the political
serfs' of the District of Columbia, DIR.
Thomas e. Will, who is In the fore
front of the fight to obtain home rule
and representation for the District,
made a hot rejoinder to those today
who are understood to be seeking to
have these associations oppose the plan
for home rule.
II see by the press that an effort is
on to induce the citizens associations
to oppose the home rule, equal suffrage
movement" said DR.. VIII today in a
statement prepared by him.
These citizens associations are sup
posed to consist and exist for the bene-
fit of the poll ical serfs of the district.
1T Is a well-known, historic fact that
a privileged ruling class invariably
seeks to capture and control the institu-
tlons that exist for the special benefit
Of he people upon whom these para
Their predecessors captured even the
trfbunate of Rome; and. in America,
they have, at one time or another, held
people.
me-that many Of the citizens associa-
tions Of Washington are virtually owned
and run by the interests that, through
manipulation of Congress, have made
Of the District their happy hunting
'Is this true The answer must be
sought in the answer to a second ques-
ton, VIII these citizens associations
favor or oppose the restoration to the
people Of this District the political and
economic rights which have been raw
ished from them?'
Sees Fight Coming.
Evidently a fight on this question is
coming. Let 1t come. We welcome 1t.
A battle over principle beats a burying-
ground any day.
'One ot the proposals from the doubt
full territory is that a District delegate
to the House be appointed By the Pres
ident. favor delegate IL elected by
the people, though his power 1t petty.
and his creation must not stand in the
way of the broader and deeper move
ment for the restoration and extension
to our people, of their full political
rights. But the proposal that he be
appointed l shall fight tooth and nail
on the line; till the last gun is fired.
This proposal comes from the peo-
questionably, sought simply to serve
as tool of the local oligarchy which,
since popular acknowledgements. has
made Of the District it's private game
preserve. His function would. without
doubt. be to work for them and not
for the people. His appointment would
be but another nail In the coffin of
people who, as Senator Morton of
Indiana declared, are, already. govern
ed 8 despotically as are the serfs of
Russia
Meeting of League.
A meeting of the District of Colum-
bia Suffrage League was held at Dr.
Wills office, 500 G street northwest
last night. Numerous additions were
made to the enrolment and several
individuals volunteered to do specific
work in the way of speaking, provid-
ing autom obiles. working up a lunch
con for the purpose Of raising funds
making Investigations in the search
for facts to make the argument for
suffrage more plain and other tasks
Among those enlisted were Mrs. Belva
Lockwood, Capt. w. +. p. French, U
8. A, and J. William Nigh
Prizes will probably be offered for the
best high school essays and debates or
the subject of home rule. Plans were
also made to get out the vote on No.
vember &. L. G. Warfield and John
Meredith were among those who agreed
to aid in making this election mean
something. The November election Is
intended to show whether the people OF
the District want self-government and
its results will, according to members
OF the league, have a serious effect
either good or bad, on the future Of the
campaign.