Evening star., 1916-10-20
SEEKING TO BRING
CONVENTION HERE
Civic Bodies Want 1917 Meet
ing of League to Enforce
Peace Held in D. c.
THOUSANDS TO ATTEND

Preliminary steps were taken this
afternoon toward bringing to Wash
ington next spring the second annual
assemblage of the League to Enforce
Peace. The first convention of this al
ready large organization. started only
in June. 1915, in Independence Hall.
Philadelphia, was held here last May.
and so many were the delegates at
tending the sessions, presided over by
former President Taft. that, at the last
minute a theater had to be rented to
accommodate them. The next gather
ing will see the 1000 who came last
year at least doubled or trebled, it is
confidently expected.
John S. Leech of New York. formerly
United States public printer. member
Of the national executive committee Of
the league, today conferred with the joint
conventions committee of the Board of
Trade Chamber of Commerce and Retail
Merchants Association. c. J. Gockeler,
chairman. with satisfactory results. On
motion of D. J. Callahan the committee
decided to recommend to the board of
directors of the Chamber of Commerce
that office space be granted the local
nary convention work. and that the mem
berS of the chamber. as individuals. lend
support to the movement to bring the con-
vention here and make it a success.
Month of May Suggested.
The joint committee also will suggest
to the board that the month be~made
next May. which is the time that the
heads of the league desire. Last spring
delegates from all over the country at
tended; next spring, it is confidently
expected that the entire civilized world
will be represented. Encoura ging as
surances to this effect already have
been received from Viscount Bryce and
French statesmen of distinction.
Mr.. Leech also is in Washington to
confer with the officials of the District
branch-Gen. Anson Mills, chairman
William c. Dennis, secretary: w. Clay
ton Carpenter, assistant secretary
John Joy Edison. treasurer, and F. D.
McKenney. chairman of the executive
committee. They will plan for exten-
sion organization work on the part o.
members of the local body.
To be in shape to act by the end OF
the present great war-not to stop that
conflicts the present aim of the
league and the reason for its contem-
! plated widespread extensive organiza-
| tion work.
| everywhere to do something con-
structive toward enforcing peace" said
| Mr.. Leech today, "and to this end we
have to implant in the minds of the
American people the principles, pro-
poSalS and purposes of the league. Men
! and women must understand the situa-
| ton beforehand so that when the time
| comes they can be of active assistance. "
Distinguished Personnel.
At the bottom of the leagues letter.
heads runs the line THE League to
| Enforce Peace does not seek to end the
present war; it proposes the formation
of a league of nations after its close
! to maintain peace by their united eco
nomic and military power" Judge
Alton B. Parker is it's vice president
and nearly every name on its list of Of
ficers and executive committee is of
national prominence. The character of
the names associated with the District
branch is local reflection of the ma
tional personnel.
Labor's interest in the leagues pur-
pose is of the greatest. according to
Mr.. Leech: that of the men and women
who do the worlds work is very close
to the problems of law and order. La
Dor must have peace" declared Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation of Labor. before the first
annual assem- blage last year. Amer
ica'S workers are vita-.y interested in
the kind of settlement that shall come
at the end of this war and in its effects
on industrial conditions in the United
States"
To Arouse Public Interest.
The league considers that action by
the American government favorable to
the proposals of the organization will
depend on the expression of public
opinion in its favor throughout the
country.
in public questions will make the pro-
posals of the league one of the topics
of their correspondence and con-
versation," says Mr.. Leech. This will
help US to get the people of the United
States generally to enroll with us and
work for the movement In SO doing
they are working for the future
avoidance of war.
"At the close of the present war
there will be popular demand the
world over for international peace, and
the vital question is how to enforce
this demand. The league feels that
the answer lies in the creation of ma
chinery for compulsory investigation
tions resort to war There are no ini-
tiation fees, dues or assessments in the
American branch. Active participation
and help in its work is the only thing
asked of members
ESCAPE AND ARE RETAKEN.