Evening star., 1946-03-29
Suffrage Conference
Backs Charter Plan
For D. T.. Se|f-RuIe

The Central Suffrage 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 a 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 Il,
matters pertaining to the franchise.
Under Senator McCarran's bill,
the charter commission would draft
Q satisfactory" plan for local self
government. This would be submitted
to q District referendum, with final
authorization being determined BY
Congress.
No Groups Specified.
With approximately 100 individu-
ais present, the conference took the
nine-member charter commission
stand after J. c. Turner of the
Operating Engineers Union de-
clared a commission of lesser mem
bership would not be large enough
to be representative of all minority.
labor. women's and similar groups
u Washington"
A motion to specify organizations
to be represented on the proposed
n1ne-member commission died with
out reaching a 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-
zation 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 a
meeting to be held within 80 days.
Beattie in New Post.
2. Voted to appoint a Local Suf-
frage Committee to parallel its Ma
tional Representation COMMITTEES,
and to provide the new group with
funds, Office supplies and other
campaign 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 10
members Of the board Of trustees
to assist the nine incumbents with
further organization matters: Mrs.
Beatrice Reid, District Branch Of
the National Association for the
Advancement Of Colored People:
Kenneth Armstrong, treasurer of
the Federation OF Citizens Associa-
tions; Henry Beitscher, president
OF the Washington Industrial Union
Council, C1O; Charles Hill, Hotel
Service Workers, Local 80, AFL:
Mrs. Louis Gutenberg, representing
the Voteless D. G. League Of Women
Voters; Harry N. Stull, past presi-
dent OF the Federation Of Citizens
Associations; Oliver T. Palmer.
Washington Industrial Union Coun-
ell; Mrs. Dorothy Wells, Citizens
Council for Community Planning;
Walter ]. Kennevan, American Vet
Grams Committee, and Karl Ger
Der. member Of the board of direc-
tors Of the District Suffrage Asso-
ciation.
Wilbur s. Finch, temporary chair
man, presided.