Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26

at the luncheon Mrs. Perkins. gave, and
then Mrs. James S. Sherman. wife Of the
Utica member, sent out written invita-
tons to the wives of all the members of
the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives to meet at the Willard Hotel. About
$50 women appeared. Mrs. Perkins ex-
planned ner plan.- which was thoroughly
discussed and Endorsed unanimously. A
committee consisting of Mrs Crumpacker
Of Indiana, Mrs. Crane OF Massacnus sa,
Mrs Culberson of Texas. Mrs. Dolliver
of Iowa, Mrs. Lowden of Illinois. Mrs
Howard of Georgia. Mrs. Fassett and Mrs
Perkins of New York was appointed to
prepare a constitution.
Another committee, consisting OF Mrs
Burleson of Texas. Mrs. Dalzell OF Penn
sylvania, Mrs. Mccall of Massachusetts
and Mrs. Overstreet OF Indiana. was ap-
pointed to report on the cost OF renting
and maintaining clubhouse and other
expenses Of a permanent home for the
organization.
These committees reported at sub
sequent meeting which was held at the
rooms of the Washington Club on l
street, and an animated discussion fol-
lowed upon several provisions In the pro-
posed constitution.
1t has been discovered on several oc-
casions that women have views OF their
own. It has also been demonstrated
that they are not always afraid to ex-
press them. Indeed. on certain occasions
| they have been known to assert their
| opinions quite boldly and give reasons for
| them without asking the permission Of
| their husbands. And it was SO in this
| case.
| Several ladies spoke quite freely of their
preferences concerning certain matters.
and differences of opinion were dis
closed. but, of course. it was all In
most amiable temper For example. some
of the ladies were of the opinion that
| the proposed club should be purely
congressional affair-that the membership
should be limited to the wives and daugh-
Of Representatives. Others desired to
broaden its scope and admit to its priv
ileges the families Of members of the
cabinet and Supreme Court. and other
missioned by. the President or confirmed
by the Senate. Others were willing to
go still farther and enlarge the member
ship SO as to include the wives and
These amable ladies also differed on
the question of dues and the limitation
of privileges. Some insisted that every
woman who regularly enjoyed the priv
ileges of the club must be nominated and
| elected, and pay an initiation fee and an
nual dues. as was customary in other
clubs. Others argued that when the
VIE OF congressman had fulnlled all
these conditions her daughters and other
members OF her family should be admit
ted to the privileges without paying adj
ditional initiation fees or dues.
Permanent Organization.
Finally. a compromise was reached, and
the constitution as offered was amended
so that section / now reads:
1.-THE membership shall be composed OF
the women Of the immediate families OF
the senators. representatives and ex-mem-
beers OF Congress, and of such other per-
l sons not exceeding 100 in number In the
various branches Of the federal govern
ment as shall be considered eligible by
the committee on membership. The wife
Of the President Of the United States and
the wife of the Vice President of the
United States shall be invited to become
honorary members"
A compromise was reached on the ques-
ton OF dues also. under which each mem.