The Washington times., 1917-08-25
FORCES
JOIN TO LINE
UpSENT|MENT
ON DYER BILL
Heads of Civic Organizations
VIII Lay Questions of Suf-
frage and Representation
Before Them at Fall Meetings
By BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PRICE.
Practically for the first time in
the history of the District genuine
co-0rdinated efforts are going on to-
wErd marshaling sentiment upon the
subject of suffrage and concentrst-
ing, if possible, upon the Dyer bill,
(which provides for the holding by
the District Commissioners of an ad-
visOry referendum by the people on
certain questions relating to self
government and representation in
Congress.
1t was apparent today, from the
moves now being made, that the
Dyer bill and suffrage generally
will be fully and freely discussed
and acted upon by all the important
civic organizations of the District
within the next few months, with the
object Of uniting in strong array
all elements favorable to suffrage,
the Dyer bill to be the nucleus of
the expressions that will be submit
ted to Congress favorable to taking
the first step toward emancipation
from existing conditions.
Dyer Sounds Sentiment.
Congressman Dyer himself has been
soundtng sentiment in the District by
sending copies of his measure to
leading organizations and citizens
He hAs already received answers TO
his letters from a number of citizens.
1nciuding Col R. N. Harper, who was
twice president of the Chamber of
Commerce and chairman Of the last
inauguration committee. A. Leftwich
sinclair, president Of the Chamber of
Commerce. is sounding sentiment
within that organization for the pur-I
pose Of laying the matter before the
chamber at fall meetings. President
Shreve. of the Federation OF Citizens
Associations. and heads Of various
citizens associations throughout the
District, are all looking forwaru tc-
day to striking forward movement
f, of organizations and individuals in be-
half Of suffrage. The Chamber Of
Commerce, through Theodore w.
Noyes, chairman of the appropriate
COMMITTEES, has long been studying
the subject and will take it up again
Mr.. Dyers bill proposes 10 ASCERTAIN
from the people of the District wheth-
er they want local self-government,
including the election of Commission
ers, members of the School Board and
representatives in Congress; whether
they favor municipal ownership of all
public utilities, including telephone,
street car lines, electric light and
gas; equal suffrage for men and
women; the initiative, referendum and
recall; taxation on all improvements,
and prohibition OF the manufacture
and sale of beer and wines the aIco-
holic contents OF which shall be less
than per cent for beer and 10 per
cent for wines.
Harper For Concerted Action.
Colonel Harper starts the ball roll
ing by frankly discussing with The
Times his attitude toward the prop
ositions contained in the Dyer bill. He
does not approve everything in the
measure, but wants to see concerted
local action toward suffrage as soon
as possible.
@AA NAANaAAACAAg IN favor OF sur
rage, whereby the people can choose
representatives in both houses of oCn-
gress," he said today. This seems to
be so clear to fair-minded people as
not to require argument. The fact
that the people here are taxed locally
and nationally, without their consent,
and are drafted by the vote of others
TO serve in the war, sacrificing their
property and lives, without any voice
whatsoever, with none Of the other
privileges given to the citizens of the
States, ought TO be sufficient argu-
ment
In my Judgment, however. a grave
mistake would be made to ask Con-
ErSSs for anything further than rep
resentation in both Houses of Con-
kress and the Electoral Colleger at this