The Washington herald., 1909-04-18

Valesh. 1T is a blow to the good work
being done by the Wcmans Civic Fedora
ton"
mo matter how definite and complete
the proof that no such Investigation was
ever undertaken, the gossip started by
such story as appeared yesterday morn
ing viii persist, and every girl who re-
signs from the Bureau hereafter for any
reason whatever win be branded by some
people as discharged for immortality
Mrs. Valesh declared she was IN daily
communication with Miss Anne Morgan,
Mrs. J. Borden Hartman. and other
members OF the federation. and was GER
tain they would not for an instant coun
tenanee such action
Statements Were False.
Mrs. Spencer. on reading the article
in a local paper. Immediately went 70
Director Ralph, and assured him the
statements were false. She also looked
up the welfare committee OF the girls
union and denied the story TO them.
Mrs. Valesh said she had come in per-
sonaI contact with nearly every woman
employed in the bureau and had found
them a remarkably fine lot OF girls:
bright. well hammered. upright in con-
duct. and many Of them devout church
members. She said in no walk Of life
would the average morality and good
conduct be found so high as among the
bureau employees.
The Seek Moral Uplift" story was
the subject OF discussion by every woman
and man employed in the bureau last
night. All were Indignant and determined
TO have full retTactions made
When the women first heard OF the
story they held a mass meeting in the
Office Of Director Ralph. Many men en-
ployes. chiefs of bureaus and divisions
helped swell the throng.
When all were assembled. Director
Ralph read the story, and then said:
This is the most outrageous and un-
warranted slur on the honor and in-
tegrity or women wage earners I ever
read in an American newspaper"
Mr.. Ralph assured the women OF his
absolute confidence In them, and said
the thrust at their morals hurt him as
much as il did them. He assured them
he would do everything in his power 10
have retractions made, and commended
their expressed intention TO sift the mat
ter 20 the bottom.
With the directors sanction a commit
of the story and force the newspapers
to retract This committee was COM
posed Of Miss Louise Dangel president
of the bureau employees union, Miss
Gertrude McNally. secretary Of the un-
ion: Miss Edna Hardy, financial secretary
of the union; Mrs. Anna Shea, treasurer
OF the union. and Miss Belle Trouland.
Miss Ada Hudson Miss Sallie Graffiin
and Mrs. Eva Mcdonald Valesh. Mrs.
Valesh was appointed chairman.
This committee, was REINFORCED by
George NJ. Foster. chaTman Of the execu-
tive board Of Plate Printers Union No. ?.
and w. D. Leissler, president of the
union.
interviewed the Owner.
The first act Of thes committee was to
call at the Office Of the Washington news
paper which printed the story. The owner
of the paper was interviewed. and promis-
ed TO make amends. The manager OF the
bureau of the New York
paper which printed the story was next
visiteG, and satisfaction and retraction
demanded.
Mrs. Samuel Spencer, OF 20l2 Massa-
chusetts avenue, was next called upon.
She denied her society had made any in
vestigation Of the women's morals OF in
tended making any. Mrs Archibald Hop
kins and Mrs. Wainwright, wife OF Com
mander Richard Wainwright, L. 5. A,
expressed their regret al the appearance
OF the story and branded Il as false.
The meeting this afternoon promises
to be a warm affair. and tonight the vel
fare committee viii announce the methods
they mean TO use In their campaign for
retractiOn and justice
Lawyers VIII be present. and the quest
of bringing suit against the newspapers
that printed the story will be thoroughly
discussed.