Evening star., 1946-01-24
z Votes Needed
For Suffrage,
Meeting Hears
Beottie Reports to
Conference on Poll
Of Judiciary Group

Support of as few as two addi-
tional Senators in the Senate Judi
ciary Committee could assure the
necessary ma ajority for favorable ac-
ton on the Summers -Capper reso-
luton, the Central Suffrage Confer
ence was told last night.
James S. Beattie, chairman of the
conferences National Representation
Committee. informed representatives
OF approximately 100 civic, relig-
ious, business and labor groups at
tending an organization meeting at
the District Building that a poll of
committee members resulted in
seven favorable" responses.
Since there are II Senators on
the Judiciary Committee, he pointed
out, obtaining the support of two
additional members would produce
the necessary nine votes.
Two Show Opposition.
Describing the efforts of his COM
mittee to bring home to the Judi
ciary Committee Washington's de-
termination for voice in national
affairs by inducing suffrage minded
delegations to visit the Senators each
day, Mr.. Beattie also said that so
far only two of the legislators had
taken definite stand in opposition
to the Sumners-Capper measure.
He expressed confidence on the
basis OF his unofficial poll that the
judiciary Committee would report
out the resolution when it comes In
for consideration February 4.
II don't believe we can fail If It
reach the Senate floor" Mr.. Beattie
asserted, ''but even if it gets no
further, that would be high-water
mark in the 145-year history of the
Districts efforts to secure the right
to vote"
The conference meeting, marked
by the number of individuals and
groups demanding a say in national
and local affairs, unanimously
adopted the report of its Steering
Committee and moved toward COM
plete organization by appointing
trustees and naming a subcommit-
tee to handle its incorporation and
draft bylaws.
Darr Recommends Demands,
Seton Darr, who had acted as
chairman of the Steering Committee,
was named to head the subcommit-
tee on incorporation and bylaws.
Elected as trustees were Mr.. Darr.
Wilbur S. Finch, J. C. Turner, Mr..
Beattie, Woolsey Hall, Harry S.
Wender, Robert L. Sherman, Judge
James A. Cobb and Mrs. Milton
Dunn.
The conference accorded President
Truman rising vote of thanks for
his support for our movement" as
evidenced by his assertion Monday
in his state of the, Union message
to Congress that 1--WE should move
toward a greater measure of local
self-goverr1ment consistent with the
constitutional status of the District. /"
1t was voted to send the President
letter OF appreciation.
In presenting the report of the
Steering Committee, Mr.. Darr urged
the conference, which is resolved to
support both national representation
and local self-government for the
District. to stop asking and start
demanding" in the suffrage drive.
Lets throw of our lethargy and
apathy and fight in a united effort
to get our rights" Mr.. Darr said.
I'VE are not asking favors. We are
only demanding what we are en-
titled to have as free American
citizens"
The Sumners-Capper resolution
on which the conference bases its
hopes for greater measure of en-
franchisement, would amend the
Constitution to empower Congress to
grant the District representation
in Congress and the electoral COL
lege. Mr.. Finch, temporary chair
man of the conference, presided.