Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-06

WILLIAM b. wEsTLAKE.
Organization Of tho entire populace
Of the District of Columbia for. the pur-
pose Of launching a determined drive
for suffrage is to be undertaken at once
by the Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tons under its new administration
chosen Saturday night. with W. B.
Westiake as president.
Coming to Washington from Indiana,
where he had years Of experience as
newspaper publisher and was identified
with political activities. Mr.. Westlake.
a thorough believer in the Justice of
enfranchising the District, considers that
the time is at hand when this question
should be finally taken up and settled.
Method of Organization Proposed.
He will propose to the federation
at its next meeting that it undertake
to organize the District in the same
manner that political parties have or
ganized states. Precincts and dis
tricts will be established. All the ma
chinery win be provided for the con-
Quoting OF referendum.
And the very first question to be
submitted to a referendum vote Of
the people of the National Capital
will be that of suffrage.
Mr.. Westlake is convinced that the
federation has an opportunity OF rem
dering a service to the District pos
sessed by no other local organiza-
ton.
He regards it as the logical mouth
i piece of the people of the District. He
believes that when 1t has provided
| the means by which the people may
express their views as to the suffrage
and convincing as to hasten the day
| when Congress-no longer will hesitate
to confer upon them the full rights OF
American citizenship.
More Scope for Federation.
His policy for broadening the func-
tions of the federation is supported
fully by the new officers and members
of that body. Not only are the means
sentative expression on suffrage, but
the federation will endeavor to make
1t possible for Washingtonians to
speak with greater certainty and en-
phasis upon other questions affecting
their interests.
THE federation is going to devote
its attention principally to promoting
the cause of suffrage in the District
said Mr.. Westlake today. 1.-The time
has come to clean up this question.
Citizens of the District are entitled to
a vote from every standpoint. We
propose to take the matter up in a
businesslike way; to organize pre-
cinctS and districts with responsible
leaders and organized workers. I be-
lieve suffrage will be realized when
-
their minds to make determined
fight for their rights in this respect"
Organizations Duplicate.
Pointing to the confusion that has
resulted from the activities Of SO
trict, much of it resulting in dupaica-
ton Of service, Mr.. Westlake .ex-
pressed the hope that tho federation
not only will be able to open the way
to suffrage, but that pending tbs
granting ct the ballot It ma. .,s s1pa1 a
enable 1t to operate IS an effective
clearing house for local public opin-
ion. to which Congress and tho Dis
trict Commissioners will look for re-
liable information when considering
local matters.
There are a few citizens assocda-
tions in the District that are not at
filiated with the federation. Effort
will be made at once to bring them
within it's membership, so that tho
federation may speak. for all sections
of the District. ="
It is proposed also to request tho
individual associations that they re-
fer no matters to the federation for
action until after they have been
thoroughly discussed and thrashed
out from every angle by the local
memberships. Hasty action on any
public matters by the individual as
sociations will be discouraged at all
times.
New President Enthusiastic.
The new president Of the federation,
who also is president Of the Connecti-
enthusiastic over the opportunity pre-
santed the federation for doing con-
structfve work in the interest Of the
people Of the District.
His success in other lines Of COM
munity endeavor augurs well for the
realizing Of the federation's policy.
He is manager Ut the community store
at Connecticut avenue and Van Ness
street, known as the standard store,
which is organized on the basis of
ness and receiving his own profits
This enterprise. inaugurated by the
residents of the community, has prov
ed such a success that it has become
necessary to enlarge its quarters
PROFITS from the business are return
ed to the buyers.
Community Housing Plant.
Mr.. Westlake and his associates in
the community have prepared pla2e
for the construction Of community
housing plant and clubhouse Con-
struction work will start probably in
the spring or as soon after the war
as 1t is possible to obtain building
materials. The housing plant win
consist Of a number Of small apart
ment houses and the total operation
may cost in tho neighborhood Of half
Before coming to Washington seven
papers In Indiana and North Carolina.
He has been the publisher Of the Marion
Leader Of Marion. Ind. she North Caro-
lima Citizen of Asheville, N. c., and
other papers. The Marion Leader, under
the westlake managership. was the first
paper In Indiana to take up the question
Of the regulation Of public utilities, and
the present Indiana law regulati ting such
corporations was suggested by that pub
LEGATION.