Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-20
MRS. BROWN EXPLAINS,
Her management of the Woman-s
Cuban League.

Mrs. Clara Bell Brown. director general
of The Woman's Cuban League, has made a
lengthy statement dealing with the affairs
of the organization siLce lis Inauguration.
which she has sworn 10 before Notary Pub
lie Thomas a. Keeck. In her affidavit Mrs.
Brown declares that the idea Of forming
the Womans National Cuban League was
that Of Mrs. N. ID. Lincoln and herself. and
that the first meeting took place at the
residence of Mrs. Martha C. Hunt on
street, which was then Mrs. Browns resi-
denca also. She states she was elected
chief officer, Mrs. Lincoln vice chief direct
general, Mrs. Hunt treasurer and Mrs.
Clara Colby secretary. She declares that
she wrote to Mrs. Hunt, who was in the
west. who answered, accepting the Office
and who also prepared for publication a
sketch in which she referred TO herself as
treasurer She declares that the first
mass meeting at Columbia Theater Melted
Sl6o. which was divided between the Mems
National Cuban League and the Woman's
League, as the meeting was held under
their joint auspices. Mrs. Brown states
that she receipted for $50. which she placed
i'm the National Bank OF the Republic, ex-
planning to the officials there that she was
acting for Mrs. Hunt. She states that Mrs.
Hunts stay from the city was prolonged
and that Mrs. Hunt sent her (Mrs. Brown
full power of attorney to act. Mrs. Brown
says she declined to sign any name but her
own. however. and inquired how Mrs. Hunt
could have sent her power 10 act in the
office if she had written that she had de-
ciined IL. The statement recites that Mrs.
Hunt resigned in the latter part of July,
after lengthy consultation with Mrs.
Brown. Mrs. Brown says she had nothing
to do with the lawn fete at the Barber
mansion, except to attend 1t, a committee
having taken charge The receipts. she
says, were Sill, and the bills of expense
over Sis. She states that in auditing these
bills parliamentary discussion came up in
the committee n the ownership of kifrh-
en- spoons. etc. but ii was agreed to pay
the bills, the merchants had acted in
good faith. After reciting the resignation
of Mrs. Colby and her own reluctant con-
sent to let matters go on till autumn. Mrs.
Brown recites the removal of the funds to
the Washington Loan and Trust Company.
where they were deposited i'm the name of
the league and the payment to DIR. Foster
r. Winn after his speech at the Columbia
Theater of $40. which he was to send to
Cuba. and for which Mrs. Brown holds his
receipt. In conclusion Mrs. Brown says:
Excursions, benefits, etc either just paid
expenses or failed. At Congress Heights
the sum received was $2.G0. No returns
are I'm II om the Marshall Hall excursion
but 1 told that the advertisements
swamped the profit. The church collections
failed to cover stamp nd typewriting costs.
i have tried to resign the chief Office and
that of treasurer of these puerile sums,
but no one would serve in my place. No
doubt wiser women knew what was i'm store
for the holder of nickels.' but this was my
first experience q member of any organ
ization-and my last
Il have cheerfully done the work of three
officers and the drudgery of a whole league
There is. L am forced to say. a story of un-
canny dealing, of treachery, broken faith
almost a tragedy. beneath the very late
history Of this league. 1t does not concern
the bushes of the league. 1t may come be-
fore the public some day. have saved the
league every expense. Ny account sent IN
would place the league hevily in my debt
Two months ago 1 declined to receive the
league dues any more"