The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-22
PETTICOAT QUARREL.
PHOEBE couzlNs VS.. MRS. PALMER.
The War Among the Lady Managers Comes
TO Climax and NIlss CouEins Il
Bounced from the Secretaryshlp,
but She Refuses to Go.

CHICAGO, April l5.-The war between
the executive committee of the lady man
ayers OF the worlds fair and Secretary
Phoebe Couzins was brought to a climax
this afternoon. The committee had an
executive session today and decided to
summon Miss Couzins to appear before it
at o'clock. A subcommittee was APP
pointed to apprise her of this action. She
was accordingly notified that she must ap-
pear and answer the charges against her
or retire from her official position.
Miss CouZins in conversation said she
would do neither; that she is legally
member of the board and is not amena-
bic TO discipline from that body. She de-
clared that if the committee undertook to
depose her she would appeal to the courts.
At 3 p. m. the committee suspended
other business awaiting Miss Couzins' APP
pearance, the chairman, Mrs. Potter
Palmer, meanwhile calling Mrs. Eagle of
Arkansas to preside. Presently a COM
municatiOn was received from the secre-
tary saying: "In the absence of any
know edge as to the definite character OF
the charges to be preferred, must refuse
to appear. Although / do not legally
recognize your right to arraign me before
the bar OF your committee, | am most
heartily willing to appear and answer any
charges. Such charges must, however, be
clearly set forth in writing and sent to me
before | appear.
a supposed criminal has the right to
know before appearing whether he or she
is arraigned for grand larceny or murder,
and make suitable defense. And mas
much as we are body organized for ma
tional work and national inspection of all
our proceedings, this examination must
be conducted with open doors"
In reply Miss COuZins was notified that
final action would be taken by the execu-
tive committee at 4:30 p. IN. Miss Couzins
made no further response and promptly
at 4:3O p. m, on motion of Mrs. Reed,
seconded by Mrs. French, a resolution was
adopted removing Miss Couzins from the
Office OF secretary. The resolution stated
as the reason for this act that the COM
mittee was satisfied that Miss Couzns
would not discharge the duties OF her Of
flee III proper cooperation with the presi-
dent, Mrs. Potter Palmer, and the men,
beers OF the executive committee.
Miss Couzins tonitht declared the
aNhlOlA vi NllC NOlllllAiklNNs All lD>uitAAhN
only the full board Of lady managers of
congress having the power sought to be
assumed by the executive committee.
Opinion among other persons connected
with the worlds fair management is
much divided as to whether or not the
| ladies' executive committee has exceeded
its authority in attempting to decapitate
| Mss COuzins Profound regret was ex-
pressed on all sides at the unfortunate
contest. The struggle has been waged
under the surface for weeks and appears
TO be the outgrowth the aggressive oppo-
sition by Miss Collzins to the centriliZa-
ton of authority in the hands OF the
exutive committee, of which Mrs. Potter
| Palmer is chairman.
What makes The extraordinary quarrel
douhly unfortunate is the fact that in the
! worlds fair management was the first in
stance in which the national government
/ had ever accorded large recognition to
women, and the result OF the experiment
assumed worldwide importance. The
fear is quite generally expressed this
evening that the feud may entirely dis
rupt the board OF lady managers, as Mrs.
, Palmer, il is pointed out, is a woman of
3 great ability and determination of charac-
I ter, and Miss Couzins has legal education
/ and a remarkable record as plucky and
/ successful fighter.
! CHICAGO. April 16.-The strife between
I Miss Phoebe Couzins, secretary of the
4 board of lady managers of the worlds fair,
and the executive committee OF the body
! has taken new phase. When she
I reached her Office door this morning she
found it locked, and the janitor of the
+ building informed her that he had been
I instructed not to permit her to enter.
/ Miss Couzins thereupon took possession
4 OF an adj dining room and announced that
! she would hold possession OF il day and
4 night until the trouble is settled.
She continues to hold the fort and this
! afternoon sent out for luncheon. Dur
/ ing the day she received q telegram from
/ st. Louis saying that arrangements were
/ being made for holding a mass meeting OF
1 ladies to protest against the course OF the
| executive committee, and a deputation of
/ ladies waited on her in her castle here
! and decided to call meeting for tonight
/ to make similar arrangements for a mass
/ meeting here.
Miss Couzins found that her private pa
! pers, desk and ali documents had been
| removed and nothing was LETT but the
typewriter and framed motto, Love
| One Another" Miss COuzins turned the
motto face to the wall and was ready for
| business
They have locked me out" she adj
mitted TO a newspaper man, land taken