The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-12


Owings SD Mrs. Griggs.
Mrs. Alice Houghton furnishes TO the
Spokane Reriew long letter concerning
the row in the Washington board OF lady
managers Of the Worlds fair, OF which
board Mrs. Houghton - chairman. She
says:
1t Is with mingled feelings OF shame and
regret that come before you with this let
ter explanatory OF existing affairs con.
nected with our board Of lady managers Of
the state Of Washington-shame that the
dignity of our board could not be main
tanned In q more fitting manner; that un-
true assertions should emanate from il to
snbserve the end Of petty jeaiousies aud
personal spite; and regret that We should
have so misapprehended the motives of
that honorable DO iy OF men who created
and presented Us with the means to pro-
mote and carry on our work, crediiabie to
the women who contributed time patience,
brains and skill To make the woman's de-
partmens success. an honor to themselves
and credit TO the state of Washington.
When took upon myself the position
Of superintendent of the woman's depart
meut eighteen months ago, l did it with
sore misgiyings, knowing full we'll that
the task would be difficult one No
money was appropriated for the work out
side of travelling expenses and a small
per diem Of S. dav when mot at home"
l accepted the position which was offered
rue by the state board-not, as Mrs.
owings has asserted in an open letter,
sought for by me"-wiih the full under
standing that my bus ness interests must
be made subsesvient TO this work If ex-
pected TO make this department q success.
soon found. although l could collect
many desirable and even beautiful articles,
that money would be needed to install
b. ~
done In manner satisfactory 10 me and
credgtabIe to tue state board. Knowing
their financial condition and that little as
slstance could be given me by them. 1 laid
the matter before our Spokane representa-
tlses and Senators Van Houten and Ide.
who Immediately agreed TO take hold OF
the situation and get for this department.
If possible. 5000. l went TO Olympia
when the measure vas expected to arise,
sas Senators kinuear and Forrest, with
other members of the Legislature who
promised me their unqualified support.
The matter Was not taken UP for weeks
after, and IN the hurry OF the moment an
other bal Was substituted for mine, this
being Dss,alt, making the appropriation
10 the board OF lady managers, because
they thought wanted it 50. VI hile nv Oil
made the fund pay able 10 me through the
state board
cite this 10 show tha. the board of iady
managers was the Inspiration Of a mo-
iaeni ana not a necessity TO carry the bill.
IL any memory serves me correctly i; WAS
the latter par, OF March when the bali be-
came Iaw. sa1 as there vas only one
month IN " aich 70 collect my exhibit. and
this had 10 he done through the entire
state. threw al my energies into the
work and commenced ulans % operations
at once. An organization was effected.
allowing che sane rules 10 govern Us a
governed the state board With fes changes
| wrote Mrs Grigcs 10 assist me in co.,
lectluS the exhibit from the western part
OF the state. This she declined 10 do
without authority from Mr.. Drum. her
commissioner. and asked ne to tee.
phone hi1 authorizing her 10 60 to
wosx, As she SAID Mrs.. osiugs haa
never gwen her any Instructions O,
any encouragement TO assist IN any xay.
DID telephone Mr.. Drum from her hogs.
sad his repiy vas To go ahead" She
never did however. WAITED for her Two
DAVIS IN Tacoma 10 go with me 10 Seattle.
iae Third morning she feaepaoned NE she
coaia not 60 | a AIDE an appointment a
seVx later, watch she agreed 10 sl wltA
me 81 faa. place, when | arrived ia Seat
tie MAS met with a message instead of
Mrs. Gyiggs, stating sac coGsd rot come. /
d. tae org there and rsisae1 TO Tacoma
wiring he. IN advance 10 meet me b~txeea
trans ~ ihs Tacoma ho;e. as matters vi
importance must b settled, aad vs hSa