Evening star., 1939-05-05
Suffrage Association
President Demands
Elective Council
District Reorganization
Absolute Necessity
Finch Declares

Absolute Necessity
Finch Declares
Wilbur S. Finch, president Of the
q. c. Suffrage Association, last night
told a sectional meeting of the Citi-
zens' Conference on District Suf-
frage reorganization of the District
government has become an abso-
lutte necessity "since the present out
moded form OF government here was
instituted in 1874 to protect the
people against conditions that no
longer exist"
Mr.. Finch stressed the Importance
Of the elective city council, as pro-
posed in the Griffenhagen report on
reorganization of the District gov
ernment. He told the conference
the alternate plan mentioned in the
Griffenhagen document whereby the
city council would be appointed by
the President, If adopted, would re-
tard the realization of local suffrage
for generations.
1--WE want any measure of self
government Congress can give us
without an amendment to the Con-
stitution," Mr.. Finch said. 1--WE don't
know how the House Subcommittee
on Reorganization of the District
Government will report on the Grit
fenhagen plan, but we will make
another appeal to the full House
District Committee. Our prime OBJ
jective Is an elective city council.
1t has come to my ear that an
amendment to the Griffephagen
plan whereby the seven members of
the proposed city council would be
selected by geographical regions of
the city is under consideration. We
favor such an amendment as an
other step in the right direction and
as new addition to our general
plan for local suffrage and national
representation"
Wender Presides.
Mr. Finch went on to explain the
practical workings of the Griffen-
hagen plan if effected, he also gave
a brief background of the D. G.
Suffrage Association since it's found
ing six years ago.
Harry S. Wender, president of the
Southwest Citizens Association, pre-
siding at the meeting, asked each
citizen to do his utmost to influence
the House District Committee to
report favorably on the Griffen-
hagen plan. He asked support for
the present campaign to have $4,000
post cards sent to Chairman Ran
dolph of the District committee, ex-
pressing desire for suffrage with an
elective council.
Mr.. Wender named four methods
Of informing the House of the pop
ular sentiment: Post cards, petit
tions, personal letters and personal
contacts.
The comment of other civic, Fed
eral and labor organization leaders
present at the conference follows:
Mrs. Sarah v. Montgomery, chair
sman of the Citizens Conference post
card drive: These cards we are at
tempting to have signed and sent
to Chairman Randolph are not me-
chanical; they say the same thing,
but it is because we all mean the
same thing. We want each section
to develop leader; this small mur-
muir can develop into huge, roll.
Ing SNOWFALL"
Cooperation Promised.
William A. Maio, president Of the
Southeast Council of Citizens Asso.
Citations: II congratulate the Dis
trict of Columbia Suffrage Associa-
ton on its militant leader, Mr..
Finch. promise the wholehearted
and complete cooperation of the
Southeast Council in the drive"
Arthur Stein, president of the local
District Council, United Federal
Workers of America: More than
30 per cent of Government workers
would establish legal residence in
the District If their civil service
status would not be affected. We
favor plan whereby we may vote
nationally in our home States and
locally in our adopted homes"
Joseph Josselson, representing
the Amalgamated Garment Workers
Of America: II appeal to the citi-
zens Of the District to furnish am
munttion for the guns of the 'front.'
line fighters in the battle for local
suffrage. Without funds we can do
little IN the tremendous fight that
lies before u.s."
George Warren, representing the
American Federation of Govern
ment Employees: I'VE will inevitably
win our battle for suffrage. I AM
glad we got into action before the
Grif1enhagen plan was reported out
TO the full House District Commit
tee."
Ellie Hoffman, president of the
Barry Farms Citizens Association.
Our association offers 100 per cent
cooperation to this new movement
toward the realization Of suffrage
In the District"
Oficeholders Assailed.
Harry N. Stull. vice president of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
mons: 1T is no secret that certain
omceholders IN the District Building
are scuttllng our plans for re-
vamping of the District govern
ment to provide our citizens with
an elective council. They want no
reorganization for themselves nor
vote for U.S."
Mrs. Minnie Frost Rands, repre-
senting the Federation of Women's
Clubs: Statements I have heard
that all leaders in the suffrage
movement are Negroes or Commu-
nists are the utmost nonsense"
William j. Tucker, representing
the Anacostia Citizens Association,
I'VE must be right in our aims, and
the right must win. We are right
and we will win; suffrage is in
evitable and certain"
:. William j. Smith, representing
the Summit Park Citizens Associa-
ton: Our association Is behind
the movement 100 per cent; an elec-
tive city council is the only solution