The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-04-12
NEW D. 4. R. SPLIT
OYER CHARTER PLAN
Division in Mclean Camp on
Membership Amendment.
MRS. MAIN OPPOSES CHANGE
Holds Out Against Five Other Mem
bers of the Special Committee.
Several Leaders of Mclean Forces
DenOunee Scheme-FeaF IL May
Hurt Mrs. scOtfs Campaign.

The thing most talked about in d. A.
R., circles yesterday was ratification, on
April Z. Of a report recommending, a
change in the constitution regarding cleo
tions OF charter members
That certain reforms might be made in
this regard, the special committee. com
posed entirely OF administrations,
urges that any woman who Joins a new
chapter between the time OF the organiza-
ton and the date on which the charter
is granted shall have her name signed
To the charter.
Mrs II y. Boynton Mrs. Amos C.
Draper. Mrs. Hodgkins. Mrs. Pierce. and
one other voted for this radical change.
which necessitates adoption OF a new
form Of charter and abandonment OF the
law in force since the organization was
founded. nineteen years ago.
Mrs. Main Stumbling Block.
Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Main. vice
president general in charge OF the organi-
zation OF chapters. proved the stumbling
block for the reformers. With the excep-
ton OF her vote. the proposal was unani-
mously reported 10 the national board for
fits approval
InasmUch as Mrs. Main viii be unable
to attend the coming Congress. her con-
tention viii De supported by certain in
huential Observation-Disclosures who may rely
on the conservative element 10 oppose
Mrs Diapers proposal
When seen last night. several OF the
leaders In the Mclean forces denounced
the new scheme, and reasserted that il
would not be passed by the convention.
The Storyites declare they have long diff
fered with Mrs. Mclean and her follow
ers on this point
Terming the new proposal 'incoheTsnt."
an officer Of the present administration
last evening outlined the plan advocated
! by Mrs. Main. as follows. Mrs Main
contends that only those women who or
ganize a chapter shall be entitled 20 have
their names enrolled as charter members.
Her enlargement from the system now
being pushed by Mrs Draper and others
IS based on the ground that II Is Illegal
20 recognize those VINO enter the society
after a chapter has been organized. but
before the charter Is granted. In other
words. a member may Join the chapter in
1909. and when tho charter is granted 20
that chapter. IN 1910. her name would ap-
/ pear on the official charter. when, as a
matter OF fact. this member did not be
! long 20 the society OF the Daughters Of
/ the American Revolution when her par
! ticular chapter was organized.
Calls Contention Logical.
''Inasmuch as the Official charter reads
that the following persons did attend
the initial meeting and form the chap
ter the contention Of Mrs. Main is per
fectly Logical. and we fell TO see why
names should appear under this caption
when they did not organize the chapter.
AS understand II. the committee which
reported last Tuesday in favor OF a
change in the wording OF the charter
mean 10 alter the context so that Mrs.
Diapers plan may be put in force"
While there IS iittle likelihood OF this
issue becoming Of paramount Importance
In the campaign OF Mrs. Scott and Mrs.
Story. stu Il IS believed by the conserva-
tives that II viii carry weight should
Mrs. Draper and those named on the ad-
uinistration ticket continue 70 recon-
mend its enactment
Since the principals in the latest es-
arrangement are both ardent supporters
OF Mrs. McLean's policies. a split may
be caused in tho administration ranks
that would impair Mrs. Scott's chances.
In the imperative appointment OF Mrs
II. Y. ROynton. chairman OF the char
ter membership committee" a remedial
step already has been taken 10 patch up
the differences in an amicable manner In
stead Of lighting the question out on the
I floor OF the congress. Many Insist that
this report Of the special committee must
be placed before the delegates for action
Think Chascss Hurt.
The situation as viewed from the con-
sentative standpoint seems to be that
prompt action must be taken 70 stamp
out such proceedings as those contem-
plated by aspirants to Office from the ad-
rinistration fold. They express the be-
lief that Mrs. Draper. who is running to
succeed Mrs. Main, Is seriously hurting
her chances by perxisting In having the
old order OF charter MEMBERSHIPS altered
Although Mrs. Mains adherents are
numbered among the Mclean faction II
would not be surprising 10 see a number
OF them unite with the conservatives to
kill the new plan. II is known that Mrs
Main has opposed all efforts IN the past
to insert In the charter membership list
names OF persons entering p chapter
after the charter had been requested.
II was stated on good authority that
she has recently searched nearly every
charter granted during her service TO
prove that no name had been signed to q
charter unless the person helped 20 or
ganize the chapter in question.
Mrs Matthew T. Scott will arrive In
Washington tomorrow, and make her
headquarters at the New Willard. Mrs
William Cummings Story, who is TO op-
pose her on the conservative ticket. is
expected TO reach Washington Thursday
and begin preparations for the final
SfruRRla In the camnalrrn Snr ~. -