The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-10
Two Rivals Are Now in the
Field Against the Fed
Grafton.
OBJECT TO CERTAIN METHODS.
Mrs. Kneip Says She Requires no
Police Star to Secure Her AID.
mission Anywhere.

All is not plain sailing for the Woman's
Federation organized shortly after the
North Beach horrors came to light. Two
weeks ago an Independent organization
with membership of between 800 and
400 was formed. Yesterday a third ele-
ment was injected into the woman's war
on vice, and what with the side skirmish
ing, the three cornered fight promises to
be most interesting.
The entire trouble seems to be over the
manner in which the first mass-meeting,
looking toward the formation of a
woman's federation, was conducted.
Those now opposed to that organization
declare it to be scheme of a few to rule
the many. To substantiate this they point
to what they are pleased to call the "dic-
tatoriaI methods" employed in saying who
was entitled to participate in the prelimi-
nary deliberations.
Only church members and representa-
tives of societies were allowed voice in
the proceedings, and in consequence of
this, certain ladies were enabled to run
things to suit themselves. There were
over 1000 women at this meeting, it is
claimed, yet only few of this vast num-
Der were allowed vote or even hearing.
particularly the president, are extremely
Objectionable to the ma iority of mothers of
San Francisco, and that certain reforms
advocated by them are as much disliked as
the authors.
One particularly disagreeable feature
was the proposed scheme of having a
woman inspector So great was the OPP
position that Mrs. Kneip, at the solicita-
ton of hundreds of mothers, she says, APP
peared before the Supervisors and asked
that the request be not granted. This was
followed by meeting of three established
societies-tbe Woman's American Union,
the Women's American Liberal League
and the Silent Workers.
Resolutions were passed condemning the
methods employed in organizing the fed
Grafton, but indorsing the principles upon
which it was founded. These three So
cieties will hold mass-meeting at Metro
politan Temple Thursday evening, and it
is not improbable that something sensa-
tional will occur.
This in brief is the situation among the
San Francisco women who have pledged
themselves to exterminate vice in this
City. One lady remarked yesterday that
with so many factions in the field, all
working toward q common end, yet OPP
posed to each other, it would not be at all
surprising if the movement finally fell to
the ground.
At Red Mems Hall, 800 Post street, the
third wing of the much divided worler of
San Francisco held their first meeting
yesterday. Mrs. Kneip, at whose insti-
cation the meeting was called said it was
not intended to form an organization at
that time if ever. The idea was to adopt
some new plan by which all women inter
ested in such work would have equal voice
and representation. Continuing, she said:
81 did not intend to make any reference
to existing organizations, but months ago,
when opened girls reading-room much
useful information came to me unsolicited.
The girls said that in these homes, there
was no love, no Christian spirit. All the
managers seemed to care for was the
money paid in.
The life is crushed out of US in these
organizations, said Mrs. Kneip. "There is
too much red tape. Many rich people would
furnish money if they could only be as
sured that it would be spent judlciously.
Idleness, poverty and lust are the three
demons which lead to all the evils in life.
Let us correct the first and the task is half
done. Mrs. French thinks she needs q
police star to gain admission to certain
places, but l have had no such trouble.
Do need to become church member?
Do need a police star? Is there any work
for me to do in that organization?"
This last remark was addressed to lady
from the Woman's Federation, who held
out the olive branch, asking all those
present to come over and join the parent
organization. The invitation was not ac-
copied.
Many of the other ladies present ex-
pressed themselves in vigorous language
concerning the work to be done, though
none ventured to formulate any direct
plan of action. Mrs. Kneip said that she
had some new ideas to lay before the next
conf erence, which would be on December
16. She intended to get out of the old rut
and was satisfied that every lady present
would acknowledge that her plans were
the most effective yet thought Of.
In the lecture-room of the Young Mems
Christian association building the
Woman's Federation also held a meeting.
The only business of Importance trans
acted was the ratification of the constitu-
ton and bylaws. 1t was agreed to admit
to membership any woman not connected
with some church or society, though the
voting privilege was denied them. By the
constitution it requires a two-thirds vote
of all the members of the federation for
those seeking admission in the future.
This is one OF the features objected to by
the two dissenting organizations.
Another effort will be made to have the
Supervisors appoint woman inspector.
The following petition was handed to the
mem bers for circulation:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors
ton for the appointment of Women In
spectors
We, the undersigned, citizens of the City and
County of San Francisco, do most earnestly pe-
tition your honorable body to create the Office
Of woman inspector for the City ana County OF
San Francisco, and to appoint at least one
woman to fill such position at your earliest
convenience.
The duty of said inspector to be, in part to
investigate all business establishments, fac
tories and institutions where women or chill
dren are employed and all public institutions
maintained at public expense; also schools,
hospitals, prisons, asylums and other public
taken, examined, tried or detained either bv
process OF law or for the purposes of charity.
and the public Morgue when the dead bodies
of women or children are to be cared for: also
any other duties which, in your Judgment
seem to come within the province OF such
office, and to make reports of such investiga-
lions to the proper authorities