New-York tribune., 1909-05-22
HOSTILITIES RENEWED
Nore Statements" Issued an City
Federation SQuabbIe.

T. the Anos-le James were alive to-day and knew
srvthng about the affairs Of the City Federation Of
women's Clubs, he would probably he tempted to
nhserve Behold how great matter 2 little fire
tfndleth- Whether one woman or another Is chair
man Of the reception committee of the Federation
does not strike the outsider as a matter Of any
great consequence hut it has produced a confagra-
fon Of formidable dimensions The donning of A
Cumming story was onninous. and the storm which
II uresaCed broke yesterday, when both the contend
nr par-ies issued statements which are not cal
enlisted 10 produce peace and harmony
Mrs Belle De Rivera. president Of the Federation
was the author OF OF those which took the form
of 2 letter 10 the affiliated clubs. and which was
made necessary. she says, by the publication IN
The daily press OF statement and sundry afldaTits
which seem call in question the integrity Of the
president Of the CITY Federation"
The point at ISSUE Mrs. de Rivera explains is
that six members Of the board of directors seem TO
rest under the misrepresentation that ! offered a
craftsmanship 10 2 certain woman, and when after
Few days consideration, she accepted the position
] told her was very sorry but II was promised 10
some cns else: and It further appears 10 be the i'm
preston Of those making the afT1davits that my
action JUSTIFIED these members in refusing approval
10 nv appointment the ground that II belonged
70 the one 10 whom IT was first offered"
As evidence that the Impression" of the directors
IS erroneous Mrs. de Rivera submits letters from
NJ. and Mrs. John Sherwfn Crosby. Mrs crosby
stating that the president offered her the chairman
snip Of the reception committee the day follow
ling the election. Saturday February s. and Mr..
Crosby testfying that Mrs de Rivera mentioned the
subject 10 him Sunday, February :.
No possibly suppose. Mrs de Rivera
edds, that she offered the same chairmanship 10
Two persons on the day following her election,
and she thinks that the statement Of Mrs William
Grant Brown the other person 10 whom she is al
legged 10 have offered the place At the convention on
May :. bears out her view Of the case. She asked
Mrs. Brown 10 repeat what she said on that ccca-
sion, and Mrs. Brown replied: Y feel that ] said
all I could IN the convention. and that was really
where the explanation was needed"
In conclusion Mrs. de Rivera states that. so far
she is concerned the incident IS now closed and
she VIII make no further explanation. unless called
upon TO do so by the body that elected her.
The other statement emanated from Mrs. Brown.
and was sent by messenger to Mrs de Rivera
last night. Mrs. Brown says:
Dear Mrs de Rivera: You appear 10 have placed
e inisinterpretation upon my remarks at the con
vention. and thus desire 70 make the matter as
cteef as possible 10 you You ohered me the cnar-
ranship Of the programme committee, and de-
cIlned II az once You then told me 70 look over
lhe committees ana select any chairulansnlp that
desired In a few days I teephoned you that /
would accept the chairmanship Of the reception
CnlllIlee eild you replied tnat the chalrrlansnip
OF the reception committee had been filed
am told by several members Of the board that at
Ileetlns you admitted TO the board that you
had offered any chair1nanship, and I believed
tnat II was upon my statement and your admission
tnat the board refused 10 approve the appointment
Of another as chairman Of the reception committee.
was my intention al the convention in support
ING Mrs story 10 make this whole matter clear.
Mrs Brown, who has been I'll ever since the con-
venticn. Eaid when seen at the Hotel Victoria last
night that she had known nothing Of subsequent
events until she received letter from Mrs de
Rivera asking her 10 put in writing what she said
st the convention When she received Mrs de
Klvera's letter yesterday morning. with quota