Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-08
CALLS TENNESSEE
LEGISLATURE FOR
SUFFRAGE BATTLE
Roberts Issues Summons for
August 9-Friends and
Foes Jam Nashville.

By the Associated Press.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, August T.
Gov. Roberts of Tennessee this after
noon issued q call for an extra ses-
sion Of the legislature to convene at
noon Monday. August 8. OF the iss
subjects mentionod for action at the
session, the first was ratification Of
the federal suffrage arnendmefft, the
second would NIX the legal status OF
women. the third prescribes qualifica-
tions Of women for voting, including
imposition of poll tax and time Of
registration
In anticipation of tho fight before
the special session Monday sufragists
and ti-sufragists. not only from
the cities of Tennessee, but from the
other states Of the Union, are arriv-
ing on each train reaching here. The
hotels already are crowded with them.
The advance guard has been here for
several days, but the flood began eo-
day. The sunragists are consider
ably in the majority.
Many members Of the legislature
will likely be unable to- reach here
in time for the first session, because
of the distance they live from tire
capital. The news of the special call
by Gov. Roberts cannot reach some
of them until Monday morning.
Pick Floor Leaders.
Sneaker Todd of the senate has
promised, according to the suffragists,
to introduce the ratification bill in
the upper house, while Speaker
Walker of the lower house has
made a similar promise with regard
to introducing it in his body. The
floor leaders in the senate for suffrage
will be Senators Albert E. Hill, demo-
crat. and Senator John c. Houk. re-
publican. In the house the suffra agists
have asked T. K, Riddick of Memphis
to lead their battle. :
Both sides appear very confident of
the result The suffragists undoubted-
Iy have been cheered by the results Of
the special elections this week to fill
thirteen vacancies in the legislature.
They claim to have pledged in advance
of the election most of these men. New
concerted by a strong undercurrent OF
naturalization sentiment. The latter
has gained strength recently through
formation of the Constitutional League
of Tennessee, composed of those who
are opposed to ratification upon consti-
tutional grounds. The organization has
found a haven for the lukewarm or
doubtful.
The anti-suffragists are quite as ac-
tive as the suffragists. Their force has
been largely increased since Friday.
They are spotted in the hotel crowds
by the wearing of a large red flower.
They are not visiting the solons indi-
yidually, but are conducting their cam
paign principally by literature.
A poll of the Tennessee legislature
on the federal suffrage amendment in
dicating it's rejection. Farley P. Chris
tensen, farmer-labor party candidate
for President. tonight notified Senator
Harding and Gov. Cox in telegram
placing responsibility for the fate of
the amendment in this state upon
them as leaders of their, respective
parties.
Mr.. Christensen is here to address
the Nashville Trades and Labor coun-
ri, in behalf Of ratification tomorrow.
Up to the Candidates.
Mr.. Christensen's telegram follows:
..You are well aware that unless
the Tennessee legislature, which
meets on Monday, ratifies the fed
eral woman suffrage amendment. the
women of the country cannot par
ticipate in the November national
elections. You are we'll aware Of
YOUR power to influence the members
of your party in the Tennessee leg
islature on this question. inasmuch as
your party platform pledges you and
your party to immediate application
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