Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-03
Az. OF |. TOAD
EFFORTS IN D. c. TO
SECURE SUFFRAGE
Mr.. Gompers Promises Sup.
port of Legislative Commit
tee as Well as His Own.

announcement that the American
Federation of Labor intends to take q
leading part in the campaign fol
suffrage in the District of Columbia
when Congress meets in December
was made public yesterday following
a conference between local labor lead
ers and officials of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor.
Acting under instructions Of the
Montreal convention. which went on
record in favor of the enfranchise-
ment of the citizenship Of the Distric,
of Columbia, President Samuel Com
pers pledged the active support of the
legislative committee as well as his
own personal efforts.
Urging cooperative, energetic and
Intelligent efforts" Mr.. Gompers, in
letter to Frank ]. Coleman, secre-
tary of the Washington Central Labor
Union. invites conferences with repre-.
sentatives from the various union or
CARNATIONS of the city, so that the
campaign may be definitely outlined
Letter of Mr.. Gompers.
Mr.. Gompers' letter, which states
the position of the A. F. of L., reads
as follows:
The executive council of the
American Federation of Labor had
August 2-12, 1920, resolution 81, sub
mitted to the Montreal convention OF
the A F. Of l.. by the delegates from
your Central Labor Union. This reso-
luton calls for support to the move
ment to obtain suffrage for the Dis
trict of Columbia The executive
council directed that the declaration
n h0 i0l ;~f~ 81
feet
you know that the American Fed.
GRAFTON Of Labor has frequently and
emphatically declared and steadfastly
advocated franchise for the citizens
of the District of Columbia. You
ed to be Of assistance in carrying tina,
thought into effect and now beg tc
assure You that not only the leg
islative committee of the American
Federation Of Labor. but its officers
including the undersigned, will dc
everything within their power to
achieve this justifiable cause.
I shall be glad to call a conference
at some mutually convenient time
when the subject matter can be dis.
cussed and / suggest that a committee
from the Central Labor Union, from
the Building Trades Council, as well
as delegate from every local union
in the District. be communicated with
for the purpose not only Of confer.
ence, but OF cooperative, energetic
and intelligent effort SO that the cam.
pafgn may be outlined and carried or
until the full fruition Of the purpose
for the enfranchisement Of the citizen.
ship of the District of Columbia
Kindly let me hear from you at your
early convenience, and with best
wishes, I am,
"Fraternally yours.
Conference With ME-. Gompers.
For the purpose of arranging plans
for a series of conferences with union
bodies in the District, Mr.. Gompers
met yesterday with Mr.. Coleman, Col
Winfield. Jones, chairman of the ma.
tional press committee for District OF
Columbia suffrage, and various repre-.
sentatives OF local unions.
Announcement was made, following
this conference that bills for Local
self-government, already drafted, will
be introduced simultaneously in the
Senate and House Of Representatives
on the opening day Of the session. AS
head Of the advisory council Of the
national press committee, which is
cooperating with union labor, Mr.
Gompers is planning to take an active
part in all plans for the congressional
campaign.
The bills. drawn by Alvin L. New.
myer. Robert I. Miller. Louis 8. Gott-
lieb and Col. Jones, will be referred
to the District committees Of both
houses, where early consideration al
ready has 'been promised.
Instead OF providing for q constitu-
tfonal amendment, which has been re.
pudiated by both the republican and
democratic parties platforms, the
principal feature Of these bills will
provide two delegates from the Dis
trict in Congress and the election OF
a board Of District Commissioners OF
six members, with one Engineer Com
missioner to be appointed by the
President.
They provide also for an elective
public utilities commission OF seven
members and a public school board OF
nine members. The number Of dele
gates to be allowed the District would
be the same number at present al
lowed the Philippine Islands.
While a large majority Of both
houses are opposed to constitutional
amendment, a poll of Congress made
before the close of last session shows
that enough members Of both houses
are in favor Of some kind Of suffrage
for the District to insure the passage
of a local self-government bill in
the December session.