Evening star., 1946-01-09
D. {. Suffrage Group
Plans Intensive Drive
For Representation

An intensive drive to obtain ma
tional representation for the Dis
trict was under way today as sub
committee of the newly formed Gen.
trail Suffrage Conference prepared
to hold city-wide rallies and to
stage widespread publicity and po-
litical campaigns aimed at obtain
ing favorable vote by the Senate
Judiciary Committee later this
month on the Capper- Summers reso-
luton.
The group also will seek Presi-
dent Truman's Endorsement of the
drive. Recently Mr.. Truman de-
clared he was in favor of the Dis
trict getting the vote.
The Senate committee meets jan
uary % to consider the Capper-
Summers resolution, which provides
for a constitutional amendment to
empower Congress to grant repre-
sentation to the District in the Sem
ate and House and among the elec-
tors for President. A subcommit-
tee of the Senate Judiciary Com
mittee already has approved the
resolution.
Beattie Is Chairman.
The group-the Committee on
National Representation-met yes
terday at the New Municipal Center
Building under the Craftsmanship of
James S. Beattie. The committee
was appointed by Wilbur S. Finch,
president of the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations and temporary
chairman of the conference.
MIR. Beattie, who recently was dis
charged from the armed forces, de-
clared at the meeting: We're going
to put forth every effort to gain our
objective
Under plans mapped by the group,
the drive will begin Sunday and will
gain in intensity until January %,
when the Senate committee con-
siders the resolution.
Mr.. Beattie's committee decided
to undertake newspaper and radio
publicity campaign. city-wide rallies
of civic, labor and veterans organ
izationS, and political pressure in
the home States of members of the
Senate Judiciary Committee, to i'm
press the committee with the Dis
trict's desire for national represen-
tation.
Six-Point Drive Outlined.
The committee outlined six
point drive to be carried out during
the next three weeks. 1t calls for:
l. A conference with President
Truman in an attempt to get his
Endorsement of the drive.
2. The writing of kilograms and
alr-mail letters by national or
ganizations here to their branches
and departments in the States
where members of the Senate COM
mittee live, in an effort to put
political pressure on the Senators
to vote favorably on the Summers
Capper resolution
3, All veterans organiza tions par
ticipating in rallies and letter.
writing campaigns to Congress.
4. The support of prominent peo-
pie here in behalf of national rep
resentation.
s. An effort to persuade mem
bers of the Senate committee to
commit themselves now on how they
stand on National representation
and how they will vote. "All we
, ask is tnat the Senate be given a
chance to vote on the ISSUE Mr..
Beattie said.
6. Public rallies by civic, business
and labor organizations. Fifty-six
groups have been invited to at
tend the Central Suffrage Confer
ence's mass meeting later this
month. Also, an intensive news
paper and radio campaign.
Broadcasts Planned.
In the latter connection, the
committee decided to attempt one
to five minute broadcasts each day
until January %, with one 15-
minute broadcast over each of the
city's six broadcasting stations.
Mr.. Beatties committee will meet
again at 1890 pm. Monday. Other
members of the committee, who
were present at yesterdays meeting,
are Mrs. Milton Dunn, District
League of Women Voters; Ed
ward j. Clarke, Austin L. Fickling,
Federation of Civic Associations,
and Cornelia H. Hill, District Fed