Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-08
URGE VOTE T0P|CK
NEW DISTRICT HEAD
Citizens Association Fedora
ton Takes Signal Sep To-
ward Washington Ballot.
EXPECT $4,000 BALLOTS

be selected by vote OF the people.
What is regarded as the most important
move yet made to bring suffrage to the
District was initiated last night by the
Federation Of Citisens' Associations when
1t decided to ascertain the wishes Of the
Districts entire adult citizenship as to
who should succeed Oliver P. Newman
on the board Of Commissioners, II that
official, now in the officers training camp
at Fort Myer. receives commission IN
the army.
The federation proposes to hold a mu-
nicipal election. employing the Australian
dent, regardless Of sex or color will be
given an opportunity to designate his
choice for Commissioner II the prospective
vacancy or any other vacancy among the
civilian members Of the board occurs.
Vote May Arouse President.
With such an expression from the PEG
or more votes may be cast-the federation
is Of the opinion that President Wilson
will give serious consideration to the
recommendation before filing any va
cancy.
Every citizens association delegate
attending the meeting. which was spe-
cially called in response to resolu-
ton passed by the Park View Assocta-
ton, voted in favor of the proposition
to submit this plan to the people OF
Washington in the first general cleo
ton to be held here in more than half
a century.
The election will be held some time
this month, it is expected. though final
details will be worked out at another
special meeting Of the federation to be
held next Saturday night in the board
room of the District building. 1t Is
practically certain schoolhouses will
be used as voting places.
Many Names for Ballots.
Under authority Of the resolution
adopted, President Charles 8. Shreve OF
the federation tomorrow will name a
special committee which will submit a
plan for the election at next Saturday
meeting. The probability is that the
federation will nominate the candidates
whose names are to go on the ballots
1t was suggested that as many as half
a dozen names might be submitted to
the voters. Members Of citizens as
sociations will officiate as election Of
f1cials.
Not only will the federation's plan
be the means of acquafnting President
Wilson as to the choice Of residents OF
Washington for the next Commissioner.
but. in the opinion of members OF that
organization. it will accomplish a far
more important result. 1t will ef-
fectively demonstrate to the President
and to Congress. they believe. that the
people here are ready for the ballot
and know how to conduct an election
in an orderly. intelligent manner.
1t was stated that the recent selec-
ton. by ballot. Of a community secre-
tary for the Park View section had
attracted the attention of Congress,
and that the time is now ripe for the
federation to create the machinery by
which the District can demonstrate on
a larger scale that 1T is ready for SUI
frage.
John g. McGrath Makes Plea.
I'VE should start now to select the
next Commissioner in the right way"
said John G. McGrath, president of the
Park View Association. speaking in
favor Of the resolution. land the right
way is to And out who the people them
selves want to fill this position. This
should go far in promoting the cause Of
suffrage in the District"
More than a dozen delegates expressed
the opinion that the undertaking was the
most important work the federation has
entered upon since it's creation and pre-
dicted that 1t would revolutionize condi-
tons in the District. Even II President
dation of the citizens as to any commits
sionership vacancy that may occur. the
election could not help but favorably in
fiuence the suffrage fight in Congress.
they thought.
Estimating three-fifths Of the capt.
tails population as minors, members of
the federation were of the opinion that
There was no suggestion that candi-
dates should be members Of citizens
associations