Evening star., 1900-11-28
CHIEF OF WHITE RIBBONERS
MRS. L. ". n. STEVENS. PRESIDENT,
IN THE CITY.
Preparations for Opening Session of
National ConventiOn-LnrEe At
tendance Expected.

Mrs. Lillian NJ. N. Stevens of Portland,
Me-, president of the National Women
Christian Temperance Union, arrived in
the city last evening and is stopping at the
Elsmere. She was accompanied by Miss
Anna H. Gordon, the national vice presi-
dent, who has been spending some time In
the east. Mrs. Stevens expresses herself
as much delighted with the arrangements
that have been made for the national con-
vention, which will be inaugurated Sunday
afternoon at the Lafayette Square Opera
House. Everything, she declares, points to
one of the most successful gatherings of
white ribboners that has yet been held in
this country. 1t is expected that between
1,eOO and 1900 delegates and w. c. T. L.
visitors will be in the city.
The final arrangements for the convention
were made this morning at an executive
meeting of the District w. c.: T. U, held
at Foundry M. e. Church, Mrs. Clinton
Smith, the president. presiding. MIS- Lii
liam Crafts conducted the religious exer-
cises. Reports were received from the va
rous committees that have had charge OF
the work of preparing for the convention
These reports were most gratifying In
every respect and indicate a most success
full convention. Shortly after noon Mrs.
Stevens, the national president, and MISS
Gordon, the national vice president, entered
the church. They were enthusiastically
welcomed The Chautauqua salute was
given. all the ladies present standing. All
joined in singing Blessed be the tie that
binds" Mrs. Stevens made a few remarks.
Mrs Wright of Maine, Mrs. Dunlap OF
Oklahoma and Mrs. Chambers of Colorado
Springs, Col, were also introduced
The Opening Session.
While the convention proper does not be-
gin until Sunday afternoon there will be an
all-day prayer service Friday at Foundry
NJ E. Church. Miss Greenwood OF Brook
>lyn. superintendent of the national depart
ment of evangelstic work. will conduct the
services There will be many brief ad-
dresses, and the public Is invited
The national executive committee VIII pc
called to order Friday morning at 9:5u
O. clock by Mrs. Stevens, the president, IN
the parlors of the Elsmere Hotel. The ex-
ecutive committee consists of the six ma
tional officers of the union, the presidents
of state unions and the superintendents OF
national departments. The committee Will
remain in session Saturday also.
The Indiana delegation of forty will ar
rive in a special car this afternoon. They
do not come in advocacy of the prayer
chain which has been so muct talked OF
lately and which has been attributed to
the Indiana union, and have nothing to do
with any such movement 1t is stated.
The. New England delegation of about 200
ladies, including many visitors will arrive
Saturday afternoon over the B. and y.
Prominent Guests.
Among the prominent persons VINO VIII
be at the convention are many ladies who
recently attended the worlds convention at
Edinburgh. among them being Mrs. Barber.
from Australia; Miss NJ. H. Watts, presi-
dent of the w. c. T. L. of Brazil; Mrs.
Alice Gordon Gulick, president of the w.
C. T. U. of Spain. and Mrs. John Mackay,
president Of the W. c. T L. of Cape Col
ony. South Africa.
Miss Jennie Smith. superintendent Of the
national railroad department, assisted by
Mrs. S. H. Martin of this city. will hold a
railroad mass meeting Sunday evening at
Z 80 o'clock in Wesley M. E. Chapel, 5th
and F streets northwest.