Evening star., 1914-12-31
women renew EFFORTS
FOR FRANCHISE IN D. c.
Forward Letter to Chamber of Com
merce Asking That Body to
Reconsider Its Action.
Seek to Couple Women's Rights
With Those of Men in Seeking
Enfranchisement Here.

Vigorous efforts to have the Washing
tor Chamber of Commerce include
woman suffrage in it's proposed
amendment to the federal Constitution
for representation in Congress and the
electoral college for the District Of Co
lumbia is being made by leaders in the
suffrage movement.
A letter was sent yesterday TO Will
liam +. Guide, president of the cham
Der. in behalf Of the American National
Suffrage Association, signed By Mrs.
Medill Mccormick as member of the
executive board, and Mrs. Antoinette
Funk. executive vice chairman of the
congressional committee. requesting
that the chamber reconsider its de-
cision on the scope of the proposed
amendment so as specifically to include
woman suffrage.
Three weeks ago. when the Chamber
Of Commerce adopted the report Of the
special committee appointed to recon-
mend ways and means OF securing Suf-
frage in the District Mrs Funk was
allowed to appear before the chamber
and make her argument No action was
taken on the proposition.
No States Right Argument.
The argument of the suffrage associa-
ton raises the point that this is a
unique political situation; that Congress
by reason of it's absolute authority in
the government Of the District has here,
for the first time. an opportunity TO en-
franchise women without taking back
into the Constitution a right orlgl-
nally granted to the states; Furthermore;
that this is an opportunity Whicn Will
not be overlooked by the women or
America, millions of whom through the
ballot have already voice in federal
lawmakins.
The position of the suffragists is out
lined by Mrs. Mccormick and Mrs
Funk in the following excerpt from
their joint letter:
tion was adopted, over century ago;
no provision was made to secure to all
citizens the right of self-government, a
sight fundamental to democracy, but
was left to the several states. where,
with the exception of two states. one
half of the citizens were denied the
franchise on the ground Of sex alone.
Argument of Women.
at will hardly be denied that had the
Constitution been adopted in this dec
ade the situation would have been
quite otherwise. Be that as it may,
there has never been a time since our
government came into being when
Congress could bestow upon American
women, or any portion of them, equal
rights with men except by amendment.
taking back into the Constitution
power or right originally granted to
the states.
THE situation that will be created
when a resolution for an amendment is
introduced into Congress asking that
the District of Columbia be converted
into political division analogous to d
state gives Congress the opportunity
to wipe out the old omission, in part
at least. by writing into the proposed
amendments words prohibiting dis
elimination on the ground of sex"
A copy of this letter was also sent to
every member of the Chamber of Com
merce.
Amendment Up January IL.
Woman suffragists who called on
Representative Henry, chairman Of the
House rules committee, yesterday
learned that the proposed suffrage
constitutional amendment probably
would be voted on In the House jan
uary IL. Mr.. Henry said he expected