Evening star., 1938-04-09
SUFFRAGE VOTE
SET FOR APRIL 50
Call for More Education on
D. c. Issue May Cause
Postponement.

After lengthy discussion on the
wisdom of postponing the forthcoming
unofficial referendum to determine
whether local residents desire suffrage.
the Campaign Council of the Citizens
Conference on Suffrage last night ap-
proved the action of its Executive Com
mittee in planning to stage the ref
erendum April 80.
Wilbur S: Finch, chairman of the
council, announced. however. the
group would take into consideration
the numerous opinions expressed by
the membership that more time was
needed to properly carry out the ref
erendum. The Executive Committee,
which will meet at 1917 H street NV.
| at 2 O'Clock today, has the power to
change the date. 1t was originally
announced the referendum would be
held on April 90.
All Residents Eligible
Under present plans all persons liv-
ing in the District would have the
right to participate in the referendum.
the city would be divided into about
100 precincts. and the balloting would
be held at designated school buildings
between noon of April 80 and or
7 O'Clock. Staging of a parade on the
day selected. creation of a motor trans
port committee and organization of
a speakers bureau to address the peo-
pie of Washington by radio and at
civic and business association meet
ings also was suggested. Details will
be considered by the executive group
this afternoon.
To suggestions that the referendum
be postponed until after hearings
had been held by the House Judiciary
Committee on proposed joint resolu-
tions amending the Constitution and
giving District residents the right of
national representation, it was as
serted by Frank C. Waldrop that the
referendum would carry little weight
if the committee already had taken
action on the matter. In answer to
a query, Mr. Waldrop said he con-
sidered 100000 voters would be
good showing at the polls.
Ballot Issue Considered.
There was scattered expression Of
opinions as to whether the forthcoming
referendum should be on the question
proposed or whether it should be on
the type of Government desired.
Il think it's an insult to ask an
American if he wants vote" Sidney
KatZ, representative of the Commit
tee for Industrial Organization, de-
clared The question should be on
the type of government wanted for
the District" Some council members
advocate national representation, while
others propose local suffrage.
George A. Warren, representing the
American Federation of Government
Employees, said three weeks is not
enough time to educate the people. A
reform such as this has never been
accomplished in such short time"
Some persons would not vote. while
others would oppose vote for the
District, he said, explaining that if
large portion of the city's popula-
ton did not go to the polls at this
UllIlC oSlldOC anu I1ouoC
might infer that suffrage was not de-
sired.
A number Of delegates suggested the
drawing up of a petition to take the
place of the referendum. Approval of
the Executive Committees stand cut
off debate on the proposals.
Harry N. Stull, president of the
vtn orly o;o%s
scoffed at statements that an educa-
tion program was essential to the sue
cess of the referendum.
Cites Newspaper Education.
There is hardly day goes by that
the newspapers do not have stories on
the situation here" MIR. Stull said.
THE Star has played large part in
educating the people over a period of
many years
IF the people don't want vote, I'd
like to find out"
An official rather than an unofficial
ballot was proposed by Jesse c. Suter
of the Citizens Association of Takoma,
D. c. He further proposed crystal
lization of the movement" which, he
said would take some months.
Mr.. Finch announced that Arthur
Clarendon Smith and William H. Mon
dell, one Of whom it was originally
proposed would be named as chair
man and the other vice chairman of
the campaign council, had both been
named as vice chairmen.
Named to complete the Executive
Committee were Howard D. Woodson,
James A. Holden, James McNamara,
Mr.. Warren, Mrs. Mary Mason Jones,
Mrs. r. D. Rands and Mrs. Lester
Buchanan.
Douglas HILL an Eastern High School
| student addressed the cn,lncil or, l,o