The Washington times., 1916-02-27
D. c. REFERENDUM
BODY TO Be FORMED
Business Men viii Organize
Militant Home Rule Associa.
tion in District.

Convinced that the people Of the DIS
trict should be allowed to voice theH
sentimenta on all Congressional pro-
posais which would afrect their interests
or those OF the city. several hunore"
Washington business men Will FORM
"The District OF Columbia Referendum
Association at q mass meeting at the
National Theater next sunday.
At the mass meeting. called as result
OF two conferences held by fifty or more
business men last week, necessary steps
to perfect permanent organization VIII
be taken.
Funds are being solicited with which
to finance the big organization. Con-
tributions are being received by VIII
lam r.. GUIDE. chairman OF the COM
mittee on arrangements for the mass
meeting; Robert N. Harper, vice cnaI
man. and Charles j. Columbus. Secre-
tary -terasurer.
II is hoped by the officers that sufii-
Client money will be contributed by the
business men both ebfore and ut the
mass meeting to finance the permanent
! organization for at least year
To Create Home Rule OBdy.
1t was pointed out today that Cop-
gressional proposals which would seri-
ously AFFECT the District and ats resi-
dents are constantly coming up In Con-
gress. At present there is no perma-
nently organized civic association or
home rule body to take action on these
proposals. 1t Is with a view of Gre
ating a militant, energetic, wide-awake.
and vigilant home rule body. to keep
constantly on the alert and call for a
referendum on such proposals that the
business men intend organizing next
Sunday.
Within the next few days a long list
OF honorary vice presidents Of the mass
meeting will be announced. This list
will contain the names of the most sue
cessful, wealthy. and influential buBi-
ness men In the District. all OF whom
readily consented to serve as vice presi-
dents as to lend their support to the
movement to obtain a referendum on
all big District legislative propositions.
The list includes at least $50 names of
big business ben, according to an an
nouncement made today.
The committee In charge of the ar
I rangements for next Sundays referen.
dun mass meeting is convinced that
there Is n desire on the part of the
| citizens of the District of Columbia
| that they should be permitted to Al
least express their sentiment by refer.
/ endum before the vital issues affecting
/ the District OF Columbia are finally
passed on by Congress-" said Chairman
J GUIDE
Trade oBdies Favor IL.
| The three trade bodies of Washing.
ton, together with other organizations
have already expressed themselves af
| iirmatively In the matter of a rcferen'
dun on the prohibition question, and
1t Is felt to be desirable that citizens oi
| Washington generally, without regard
| TO afflliation. should have an opportun.
| ity to assemble and participate in a
determination OF this matter through q
| referendum.
THE mass meeting is called to con.
/ slider the referendum question. and that
! alone. The occasion should serve tc
bring about a great gathering or the
citizens OF Washington and incidentally
develop still further community
| spirit
The committee OF arrangements l,
| much gratified at the number and
character OF the citizenship ~ Wash.
4 ington that is taking an active interest
In the mass meeting movement. no,
only with assurances OF their presence
at the mass meeting. but with accept
ances OF honorary vice chairmanships