The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-05
Five Hundred DresSmakers From
Country Towns Gather at New
York for Convention.
STRIKING GARMENTS SHOWN.
Mrs. Linda Wade of MattoOn, ILL.,,
Formerly of st. Louis, Shares
Platform With President and
Throws Few Bouquets.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York March Amid a rustic of
silk petticoats, a scraping of chairs and an
enthusiasm which made every member show
n decided inclination to talk at once. the
convention of the Dressmakers' Protective
Association OF America was opened this
morning at 10 o'clock in the hall of the
Masonic Temple, at Twenty-third street and
Sixth avenue.
more than 800 were present to rapturously
applaud their president. Miss Elizabeth A.
e. White, when she took the chair.
Miss White shared the large platform with
one of the vice presidents, Mrs. Linda Wade
of Mattoon. Ill, who formerly lived in st.
Louis, WHO in her official capacity pro-
ceeded TO throw bouquets in the most APP
proved official manner. Worthy of the
duction of the president. whom she pre-
scented to her audience Miss White.
ladies, the foremost woman, the most
taiked-of woman. the coming woman of the
world
VERY PARTISAN
With becoming modesty Miss White. look
ing very Partisan in black frock. which
she VOWS is of American make. came for
ward and addressed the members, speaking
thus:
Dear and intimate friends. l know I'm
no more enthusiastic over this convention
helped: Those who have made gowns for
the exhibit and those who haven't are just
as welcome to me No matter how bad any
gown in the exhibit may be, | know the
one who made it tried and did her best
Il used to feel strange in Europe. as you
did in New York. before You had this asso-
citation Now you're anchored. You're
doing right to come to this convention, and
you want TO be told 1t. That's human. You
need help and encouragement the same as
me: That's why started this association.
''Of course. our exhibit of gowns this year
is the great thing. Paris can't beat 1t.
Now. | wish you success. and that you'll
Mrs Linda Wade spoke in behalf of the
country dress makers. Progression, she said,
should be their watchword.
The success of this exhibit is quite a
matter of busts. Gowns of a thirty-six
bust measure are proudly in line. Gowns
of a thirty.four or thirty-two size are lost
to sight. all because the forms supplied by
the association are of the thirty-six size,
and the smaller gowns simply cannot be
squeezed on them.
The busiest place in the hall was the
small room used as dressing-room and
infirmary for the gowns coming from every
section of the country. A great deal of doc
by fingers skillful at making hips and busts
Draped. the forms are tenderly carried to
the stands by women. Though several men
were seen to offer their assistance 1t was
not accepted.
HEADLESS PROCESSION.
seen on the STANDS. the gowns look like
a procession OF headless women, or ali
these but one carries herself properly and
she. well poised. is a character study in
lines. Her gown of green silk is well built
and of such an air that, as a man present
said. She looks like Loie Fuller doing a
toe dance"
It remains for Indiana to show New York
what to do in the way of growing green
grapes on gray muslin. Each grape Is in
reality e round, nat button, covered with
green silk, and the effect is greatly height
ened by green velvet leaves appliqued wher-
ever the punches of grapes can be persuade
ed to make room for them.
1t would seem that in the Southwest the
full. long bust is not in vogue One yellow
chiffon gown is ambitious in its trailing.
beruffied skirt. but the expression of the
figure is consumptive.
curious group OF gowns are some made
early in the Nineteenth Century and loaned
by Mrs. Johnson. Among them is a ma
ternity gown. the front of a quaint, curious
cut.
The European gowns brought over by
Miss White are on exhibition.