The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-02
MRS. RUFFN NOT THERE
Color Question Will Take Up|
 Much Time, However. z
Wife of Utah's Mormon Ex-Congrsss- man Will Not Get Seat in the
 Convention-Mrs. Mo-
 Mahon Turned Down.

Los. Angeles, Cal '. May 1.-The formal opening of the club women's cony ention this afternoon was brilliant Hundreds of dtlt gates and visitors packed the Simpson Auditorium to the roof. the interior was cnlhellished with 5o,ooo calla lilies and repf esentative American women sat on the platform while the usual happy greet ings were exchanged between hostasses and guests.
 The opening day was otherwise distin- guished by two separate questions which would have developed into sensations had they reached the convention. One of them which got as far as the Board of Directors had to do with turning down a delegate from secret society. The other which concerned the possible unseatinG of Mrs Roberts of Salf Lake City. wife of the former Congressman from Utah, in the event that she should try to appear as a delegate. was squeiched in it's native State.
 The first question which affects a na- tional organization of 5000 members came up before the Board of Directors In the morning, at it's secret session. Mrs. c. H. McMahon of Salt Lake City, it seems, had been appointed delegate from the P. E. o. ShoPtOt Ah tkAht Sttss WhiNh hau dpphtA for admission to the General Federation. and she had received her credentials. But at the last minute, Mrs. Denison, as a member of the Membership Committee. discovered that secret societies were not admissible and so notified the deegate.
 Mrs. McMahon, instead of pushing her caims withdrew amicaby on two condi- tions that the Membership Committee shoulder the mistake, and that she be uaa tod ix.t = vote was denied her.
 The Roberts matter has been simmer ing ever since Mrs. Roberts said sine, as president of the Authors Club of Salt Lake City, would be a delegate to the convention by virtue of her offices Irs sI Roberts changed her mind before an un- deriving current of protest came to the surface. and stayed at home. It is un- derstood. however, that a prominent Eastern woman had been importuned by Utah women to lead the fight in the event Mrs. Roberts undertook to push her right.
 In the meantime the colored question will take up much time. The rumor hav- ing started in California that Mrs, Ruff fin intended to come to Los Angeles. Mrs Anna West. one of the leaders in Mas sachusetts, authorized a denial through the Associated Press.
 After invocation by Mrs. Chester ?. Garland. addresses of welcome were given by Governor Henry T. Gage. Mayor M P. Snyder, Mrs. Kate A. Bulkely of Oakland, president of the California Federation and Mrs. Josiah Cowles president of the local biennial board. Mrs Lowe responded in so gracious a manner as to call out rounds of applause.
 Then came greetings from fraternal delegates. including Mrs. Rudolph Blankenburg of Philadelphia, who spoke on behalf of the suffrage association. Mrs Tod F. Helmuth of New York, the president of the National Council of Wo- men, Mrs Linda Hull Larned of Syra- cuse, N. Y.. president of the National Household Economic Association and Mrs. Frederick Shoff of Philadelphia. president of the National Congress of Mothers.
 As chairman of the Committee on Rules and Regulations. Mrs. Douglas of Oklahoma specified. among other things. that delegate should speak only twice to a subject and only three minutes at a time: that there should he no proxies. and that d member could be delegate from only one organization,
 The official reception took place In the evening under the auspices of the Fri day Morning Club at the Women Club house. Thousands were greeted by the officers, the local biennial board and the presidents of the Los Angeles Club.