The Washington times., 1917-09-04
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

Congressman L. Dyer of Missouri introduced recently
bill giving the people of the District of Columbia the right
to say Eyes" no the question of votes for and
women of Washington under qualifications later to be de-
ermned In these columns the opinion was expressed that
opponents of suffrage would seize upon clause in the bill
referring to the liquor question and the suggestion
made that had better be eliminated in the interest of the
main object sought by the bill The following letter from
Congressman Dyer will be welcomed by the people of the
District the act Of Of their sincere friends IN Con-
gress:
"HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES U. S.
"WASHINGTON, D. c.
"Mr; David Lawrence,
"The Washington Times
Washington, D. @.
"Dear Mr.. Lawrence:
''In your editorial of August IL concerning the
Referendum Bill that introduced for the people Of the
District Of Columbia you state that in your opinion the
prospects Of this bill receiving the support Of the people
of the District of Columbia would be enhanced greatly
the said bill did not contain the provision which seeks
to reopen liquor question in the District of Columbia
While am opposed to prohibition and feel that the
manufacture and sale of beer specially should not be pre-
vented unless majority Of the people wish it. have
desire to have this provision retained IN the bill 1t
going prevent its favorable consideration by the Com
missioners of the District of Columbia and the people Of
the city generally believe that the manufacture and
sale Of beer helps temperance think it is unjust to
prohibit its sale in the city of Washington without the
people having been consulted Yet, as stated above
willing to reintroduce the bill and leave out the pro-
vision referred to give the people oppor-
tnity to vote upon the main provisions of the said BILL
In fact am willing to change the bill to conform with
the suggestions made In your editorial, that is the
Judgment Of those who rule and sincerely want oppor
tunity to vote on this Referendum Bill The matter Of
manufacture of beer and light wines in the District of
Columbia could be taken later suggested by you"
Mr.. Dyer exhibits a commendable spirit in the above
letter There going to be all sorts of subteuges adj
yanced prevent the people from having the vote and II
the friends of suffrage clear the superuous they will
be better able to make effective campaign Congress
mans Dyers bill in its changed form would give the people
of the District the opportunity to say whether not they
want suffrage. 1t is easy for and in Weshing
ton many Of them absolutely conscientious in their beliefs
say that the people do not want the vote But is that
really truei And if is true why should anybody object to
a counting of noses the subject
The man who will not permit proposition to to
vote usually afraid that will win And if the opponents
of suffrage apprehensve that the people might express
desire for the ballot isn't that the very best proof that
minority free America keep from majority of the
people the most sacred of all privileges of citzenshphs
right voef Congress ought to the Dyer bill 1t does
not involve the merits of suffrage ITSELF but in truly Amer
fashion gives the people opportunity to say whether
they want to vote remain voteless.