The San Francisco call., 1909-05-10
CLUbWOM[N IN
BATTLE ARRAY
FOR LEADERSHIP
Clash Between North and SoutE,
Threatens State Fedora
ton Convention
Plan to Re-eIect Mrs. j. B. Hume
Opposed by Friends of Mrs.
Oliver c. Bryant

Peace and good will are the watch
words among California's clubwomen
today. but it is feared that when the
annual convention of the state fedora
ton is opened at Del Monte Nav 1S
masked batteries will be uncovered and
war will be on with the presidency
OF the organization as the spoil The
north and the south each has fayorite
for the coveted honor, and while nei
ther will allow the other to be more
gentle or express stronger feelings of
good will and accord, yet each is in
sistent. Although prominent leaders
deprecate the thought of any but an
amicable adjustment of the present diff
ficulty. those well informed believe
that the goddess of discord has al
the convention hall.
Prepare for Battle
Northern California desires to depart
from the long established custom of
the organization which is to elect a
new president each year, and re-elect
Mrs. James p. Hume of Oakland.
Southern California, basing it's demand
on precedent, claims the prize for Mrs.
oliver C. Bryant of Los Angeles, and
will go to Del Monte prepared to bat
tie for what it believes is the right.
Both of the candidates are in the hands
of their friends, and the latter are
studying the favorite methods of the
old political masters The first test
mating committee of the organization
meets at Del Monte for the purpose
of preparing the slate which will be
presented to the convention.
According to an unwritten law of
the California Federation of Women's
Clubs a new president has been select
ed at each of the annual conventions
for years past. However, there has
been a growing tendency to lengthen
the term of the president to two years,
and the friends of Mrs. Hume feel that
the psychological moment to effect the
change is at hand. They point with
pride to the brilliant record of their
leader during the last year, and it is
generally conceded throughout the state
that the incumbent has been one of
the best and most efficient presidents
the organiza tion has ever had. They
claim that the best interests of the
federation demand longer term for
the president, and they will go to Del
Monte prepared to defend this position.
Fight for Mrs. Bryant
Opposed to the views of the north
ing which has existed that Mrs. Bryant
of Los Angeles would be given the
presidency this year in accordance
with the usual custom. Another rea-
son for the election of Mrs. Bryant put
forward by the south is that she should
be elected for the two year term now,
so that in June, 1910, California will
be represented at the national conven-
tion in Cincinnati by one who is in
close touch with the situation in the
state instead of by a newly elected
officer Los Angeles has announced it's
opposition to the reelection of Mrs
Hume in most positive terms, although
admitting the efficiency of her admin
istration.
Local club leaders seem to be unani-
mousiy. in favor of the reelection of
Mrs. Hume and have expressed their
unqualified intention of supporting her
candidacy
II have the greatest admiration for
Mrs Hume and think she has been
splendid officer" said Mrs. E. L. Bald
win, president of the California club.
yesterday "I am heartily in favor of
the plan to lengthen the term of the
presidency. as / think II is for the best
interests of the organization I want
to see Mrs. Hume reelected"
Mrs A. p Black, prominent in club
of Mrs. Hume.
Mrs Hume has been the best presi-
dent the federation has ever had. and
I think that as long as the change in
the term of the presidency will have
to come we could not do better than to
make it effective now
Radical views in regard to the Sc
lection OF president were expressed
by Mrs. J1W. Orr, one of the vice
presidents OF the federation, although
she denied the possibility OF any
trouble at Del Monte.
Denies Possible Clash
Il have always urged that the fitness
of the woman, and not the desire to
give each district the honor of having
a president, should be the governing
factor in the selection OF a president"
she said TT has become customary,
however, to let each of the six districts
of the state have the presidency in
turn. In regard to any fight between
the north and the south for the Office
this time L do not think there will be
any trouble at all. I think the nomi-
mating committee will settle the en-
tire matter before presenting it to the
am heartily in favor of