The Saint Paul globe., 1903-03-27
SNUB COMING FOR
"FEDS" ENEMIES
Surprise Convention" in Waldorf As
toria Is Being Arranged.

W "a - oSiiS FtII dHSCOs
NEW YORK, March 26.-Those won-
en- who have been directing their in
huence against the New York City
Federation of Women's Clubs will re-
ceive a snub from Mrs Dore Lyon,
Mrs. John Sherwin Crosby, Mrs. Belle
de Rivero and Mrs. A. NJ Palmer, who
are arranging a convention in the Wal
dorf-Astoria that they believe will rout
their enemies for all time. The foes in
the Fed" amuse themselves by cir
culatlng reports damaging to the club.
They utter such amiable phrases as
Il don't take any interest in the City
Fed" because l don't think it will
last" or Il will give the City Fed"
until autumn for complete dissolu-
ton. Some of the Brooklyn clubs are
Withdrawing. Now, my dear, don't tell
my name"
This sort Of thing has aroused the
wrath of the City Fed" captains Mrs.
Lyon says the secret enemy will be
swept away like soldiers before a
Gatling gun"
The trouble originated on the day.
more than a month ago, when Mrs.
Lyon was elected president unanimous
ly. Her Stanch friend, Mrs. Rivero,
took the first vice presidency in SIM
liar way, and after the choicest plums
had been grasped by the Lyon contin-
gent, the handful of Brooklyn delegates
set up a wall. The chairwoman, in
stead of soothing the Brooklynites, or
dered them to "be seated" There were
other arbitrary commands, and soon
the ire of the Brooklyn women was at
fever heat.
Then Mrs. Lyon insisted upon the
election of some Brooklyn women. But
the few who were there refused the Of
fees out of pique. Two or three minor
offices were forced upon the women
from the other side of the bridge, but
ever since that. day many Brooklyn
and a few Manhattan women have
been hostile toward the Fed" They
finally drew up a manifesto, denounc-
ing the spirit of electioneering among
clubs" The greatest triumph for the
"anti-Feds" was when the Brooklyn
clubs began to withdraw from the
state federation.
This was the golden opportunity for
the malcontents. Strong points were
made of the withdrawal of the Brook
lyn Womens club and the Vassar Aid
society, organizations of undOubted
high standing. Gossip was everywhere,
and, as "ear" rumors disturb Wall
street, so these false statements wor-
ried the thousands of women allied
to the association. Finally Mrs. Lyon
called a meeting of her executives.
Said she:
I'VE are being misrepresented. All
clubdom believes we are going to
pieces-that the city federation is dy-
ing of inanitiOn. They have heard with
drawalS are sent in every day. They
believe more than half they hear Now
let US prove. the city federation is being
maligned What Shall we do?"
Have a breakfast" suggested a di-
rector.
breakfasts are commonplace" said
another high official. I'VE want some
thing aggressive, forceful, definite"
Then Mrs. Lyon suggested con-
vention in the Waldorf and the plan
was hailed with joy.
Our convention will not be merely
a millinery display" Mrs. Lyon said
at the New England women's musi-
clae. We are going to convince the
doubling Thomases, or whatever the
feminine may be, that the city fedora
ton is not an invalid on it's last legs.
We haze had great deal to contend
with, and l am surprised we are so
strong today. Our convention will be
a sort of testimonial of strength and
power. OF course, we are not forget
ting the side shows, such as receptions
and tea. They appeal to club Women'S
hearts as much as papers and dis
sertations. l believe our convention will
establish a precedent, we have devised
so many new little features. We might
almost call it Surprise convention
because we are not saying definitely
on what lines the congress will be
conducted.I Our enemies would pick
flaws anyway
"Oh, yes, there are many who wish
US no good. This unfriendliness can
not be helped unjustifiable as it may
be. 1 insist the Brooklyn women had
every consideration at our election and
almost half their delegates received
offices. Some Brooklyn women whom
we most wished to honor were not
present. So what could we do? We
couldn't nominate an absent delegate.
The city federation has had no with
drawals and we hope eventually to
turn. these frowns into smiles. Our
Surprise convention is intended for
that. But don't call it a love feast
That word smackS so of politics and
all that"
Mrs. Belle de Rivero told of the
splendors of the Surprise convention"
May is a possible date for the all
day convention that may be continued
into the evening" said she. 'All mem
bers of the city federation will be
invited, and probably many women
whom we want to join. We are working
for the convention heart and soul, and
believe it will serve to disarm our
traducers and mollify the women who
are displeased now. We shall show
definitely the advantage of the fedora
ton"