Evening star., 1946-03-29
Suffrage Group
Backs Charter
Plan for D. {.
Commission of 9
Favored; New Droft
Of Bylaws Ordered

4ue CenCral Suurage Conference
was on record today in favor of local
self government as recommended
under terms OF the charter commits
sion bill introduced by Senator Nc
Carran, Democrat, Of Nevada. The
action was taken at first organiza-
ton meeting of the conference last
night at the District Building.
The conference further commit
ted itself in favor of nine-member
charter commission, as representa-
tives Of about 40 participating civic.
professional, labor and veterans or
ganizations capped tumultous
three-hour session by voting to con-
graduate Senator McCarran for his
efforts in behalf of District suffrage
and assure him of its Cooperation in
matters pertaining to the franchise.
Under Senator McCarran's bill
the charter commission would draft
satisfactory" plan for local self
government. This would be submitted
to District referendum, with final
authorization being determined by
Congress. .. <
No Groups Specified.
With approximately 100 indiyidu-
ais present, the conference took the
nine-member charter commission
stand after j. c. Turner of the
Operating Engineers Union de-
clared commission of lesser mem
oership would not be large enough
to be representative of all minority
labor, women's and similar groups
in Washington"
A motion to specify organizations
to be represented on the proposed
nlne-member commission died with
out reaching vote.
The conference also took the fol-
lowing actions:
l. Recommitted its bylaws to the
committee which drafted them. The
60-to-38 vote followed an hour of
heated debate, mainly between dele
gates urging speed and those de-
manding a more democratic organi-
cation process. Copies of the by
laws will be provided each of the
more than 200 organizations invited
to join the conference, and their
recommendations will be heard at
meeting to be held within 80 days.
Beattie in New Post.
2. Voted to appoint a Local Suf-
frage Committee to parallel its Ma
tlonal Representation Committee
and to provide the new group with
funds, office supplies and other
camRaign necessities.
3. Named James S. Beattie, chair,
man Of the National Representation.
Committee, to the post of temporary
treasurer, and collected 1888 by
passing the hat as evidence of a de-
termination to provide whatever
money is necessary for future suf-
frage drives.
4. Appointed the following 10I
members Of the board of trustees
to assist the nine inpunbents with
further organization MATES: Mrs.
Beatrice Reid, District Branch of
the sNatt0nal Association Tor the
Advancement of Colofed People;
Kenneth Armstrong, treasurer Of
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions; Henry Beitseher, president
of the Washington Industrial Union
Council, CIO; Charles Hin, Hotel
Service Workers, Local 80, AFL.;
Mrs. Louis Gutenberg, representing
the Voteless D. c. League of Women
Voters; Harry N Stull, past presi-
dent of the Federation of Citizens
Associations; Oliver T. Palmer.
Washington Industrial Union Coun-
Gil; Mrs. Dorothy Wells, Citizens
Council for Community Planning;
Walter j. Kennevan, American Vet
Grams Committee, and Karl Ger
Der, member of the board of direc-
tors OF the District Suffrage Asso-
citation.
Wilbur S. Finch, temporary chair