Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-18
PEOPLE TO DECIDE
ISSUE OF SUFFRAGE
Bill introduced in C0nqresS
Submitting Question to
Vote in District.
FRANCHISE FOR WOMEN
PROVIDED IN MEASURE
List of Queries Which the Residents
Must Answer at the
Ballot Box.

Representative Clyde H. Tavenner of
| Illinois today introduced bill to pro-
vide for a referendum vote in the Dis
trct of Columbia to secure an answer
to the question of whether or not the
people of Washington want self-govern-
ment. the right to vote and a delegate in
Congress. The bill was prepared by and
has the unqualified Endorsement of the
District Suffrage League of this city, and
a long statement which announces that
1.-The fight for suffrage has already been
| won.'' accompanies copies of the bill as
| introduced
| The one snag which the bill will strike
as soon as it is taken up in committee.
| it is said. is the fact that it is framed
| SO that it carries appropriation oil
| $4,000 to provide for the referendum
| vote. The same proposition has been
| fought out in the House before. At the
| end of a strenuous debate one District
day last session Representative Sherley
| of Kentucky tackled a referendum
| vote paragraph as a joker 10 District
| bill pending at the time and the House
passed 1t with vim. However. the Dis
| trict committee had no right to appro-
pirate money for this purpose. and the
| appropriations committee never even dis
| cussed the matter.
Amendment Required.
| The Tavenner bill will have to DE
amended in the District committee and
then taken to the appropriations COM
mttee before the machinery for ten
| thousand-dollar referendum can be set
| up and put in operation.
The bill provides that every one over
| twenty years of age who offers to cast
| a vote shall answer the following ques-
| tons:
"ta) Do you recommend that Congress
grant to the District of Columbia a
| model charter establishing the right OF
| suffrage in said District, with municipal
self-government in all local affairs?
"Cb) Do YOU desire that the District
shall be represented in Congress by a
delegate?
"(c) Do you favor a property qualifi-
cation for voting?
| I'D Do you favor an ecucatlOnai
qualification for voting?
| "(e) Do you favor equal suffrage for
men and women in the District?
30 Do you favor the initiative and
| referendum?
"(g) Do you favor the recall?
"(M Do you favor an elective. non
partisan, commission form of city gov
| eminent similar to that of DeS Moines,
| Iowa."
Commissioners to Direct.
| The bill provides that ten days after
the enactment of the measure the Com
missioners shall fix and announce to the
people of the District the date on which
the referendum vote shall be held, pro-
yided that such date shall not be less
than sixty days nor more than seventy
five days after the approval of this
act"
/, women would b. allowed to vote in this
election, and no one who has lived in the
District of Columbia for one year would
be deprived of the privilege Of casting a
ballot because of a voting residence in
another community. The board of cleo
tons for the purpose of this referendum
would consist of three officers appointed
by the Commissioners.
Pamphlet of Arguments.