Evening star., 1938-12-07
Roberts Urges
3-Point Fight
For D. {. Vote
Series of Debates
Approved by
Two Groups

A call to stir up" the people of
the District on the question of suf-
frage so as to stir up" Congress
and guide it along specific lines Of
suffrage legislation was made by
former Peoples Counsel William A.
Roberts at a joint meeting last
night of the Executive Committee
of the Campaign Council and the
Resolutions Committee of the Citi-
zens' Conference at 1917 H street
NV.
Urging an intense publicity cam
paign in the District, Mr.. Roberts
proposed a three-point program of
debates and meetings throughout
the city ending up by an insistent
and unified demand for suffrage"
His suggestions were as follows:
l. Set up specific questions con-
corning details of local suffrage
and national representation. Have
the questions formulated by five
man committee to be appointed by
the chairman of the Citizens Con-
ference on District Suffrage.
2. Have series of well-publicized
meetings and debates in which all
questions on suffrage may be thor
oughly discussed.
3. Finally, send Congress a def
mite program derived from the de-
bates on all aspects of suffrage
and get bill on the question before
Congress about the middle of Feb
ruary.
United Front Urged.
These suggestions touched off
arguments concerning the advisable
ity of showing divisions of opinion
within the conference to hostile
groups. Harry N. Stull insisted
that the organization must present
united front on the suffrage ques-
ton and that such debates would
bring into public view differences
of opinion within supposedly uni
fled group. "Publicize the fact that
we're in agreement on the principal
things in our program. Don't fur
nish ammunition to our opponents"
he declared.
Agreeing with Mr. Stull, William
Mondell indicated that better re-
suits might be obtained by having
the District residents elect a council
to draft bill. He stated that such
an elective body would command
more attention as an expression of
public opinion. He suggested work
ing from the sidelines" and per-
mitting Congressman favorable to
suffrage work for it.
However, in furtherance of Mr..
Roberts proposals, the suffrage units
approved a motion offered by Harry
S. Wender that series of debates
be held over period of four months
beginning in January, and that they
be localized as well as CITY, wide.
Topics Suggested.
The following subjects were sug-
gested as topics at the meetings:
l. Is city manager form of gov
ernment more suitable for the Dis
trict than the present commissioner
type?
2. Can the District government
incur debt without Federal ap-
proval?
8 Shall the General Accounting
Office pass on all District govern
ment expenses?
Mr.. Roberts emphasized that the
meeting would not decide on specific
language of a bill, but rather on
statements or general principles of
suffrage.
In furtherance of its campaign,
the group proposed to send letters
to Representatives urging District
suffrage.
The local chapter of the Ameri-
can Association of Social Workers
was accepted into membership in
the conference.
Outlining the work of the con-
ference Publicity Committee in
drawing up, publishing and distrib-
ing pamphlets, planning mass meet
ings, etc, Charles A. Franklin, as
sistant chairman, asked for the help
and cooperation of the members in
continuing its duties.