The Washington herald., 1910-01-13
PLACES CHILDREN
And VOTES AHEAD
W0men's Waterways Con-
greSs Takes New Turn.
MRS. FOSTER GIVES SURPRISE
Brings Question OF WomenHs Right
90 Vote for Protection OF Children
Into Session OF Rivers and HRrbOrs
Meeting Mt ADMINISTRATORS New
lands, OF Nevada, Rapa Congress-

Conservation or waterways, children,
snd even votes. was eloQuently cham
ploned at a session Of Washington Chap
ter, Wonen's National Rivers and Har-
bors Congress. at the Willard last night
Senator Francis G. Newiands. OF Ne
vada, and Representative Joseph E.
RansdeI, OF Louisiana. addressed a
gathering OF fifty prominent women work
ers for the cause Of waterways. outlining
the scheme OF improvements, and asking
the Women's Congress for their help in
arousing public sentiment
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster. Of the national
conservation committee, who is well
known in D. A R circles. brought the
question Of votes into the meeting. She
said men as mere lords Of creation
were In the habit OF expecting women 20
fall IN with their plans as a matter OF
course, without allowing them the right.
70 demand their rights at the polls.
Men Make Them Beg.
We women have 10 go to the legisla-
lures and Congress and beg for what we
want. and We are pOwerless TO go to the
polls and demand them OF the men who
want our support" she said, and the con-
gress stood up so they could applaud to
better advantage. Gloves were split and
fans were wrecked IN the outburst OF en-
thusiaSm.
Mrs J. Eakin Gadsby. president OF the
congress, called Mrs. Mathew T. Scott.
president OF the D. A R. TO the plat
T. c. Atwood. OF Idaho. and Mrs. 90 B.
Randolph Keim also made speeches.
Senator Newlands declared women are
vitality interested in the Improvement OF
rivers and harbors, even though some of
them do not know it, He said the family
IS the unit OF the nation. and women
control the families
Women must realize the family Is the
real unit of the nation" ne said. ''She
has had a chance TO study the markets
Of the country intimately. especially OF
late, and she has seen the tremendous
increase Of prices in the past.
Nov transportation has a great bear
ing on prices. and cheap transportation
usually means low cost OF living and
cheap necessities, even though the lux
uries remain high"
He raped Congress for failing to make
waterways appropriations, but predicted
the time was near when the demands or
the people would be heard. and legisla-
ton enacted, making the dream OF water
way enthusiasts a reality.
There is and has always been use
less waste OF time among the lawyers in
the halls Of Congress, as to what are the
powers Of the national government. Good
projects are often sacrificed. while the
question OF the Federal rights under the
Constitution Is being debated.
But there IS no reason why, outside
Of the Constitution and outside Of Con-
gress, the country should not be brought
70 harmonious understanding about
waterways and their conservation. That
is our work. and that Is your work
10 arouse public interest because pollti-
cal parties never act until public opin-
ion Is formed, and legislative bodies never
act until they are driven to it by public
opinion.
Country Wants Money.
THE time has come when We cannot
help but realize that the country wants
money spent for this great project. Ac-
ton is undoubted. But In the present
condition Of the country with a deficit
staring US in the face, there are many
opposed TO issuing bonds, or even to
extra taxation for the purpose
But the wealth Of the country is now
practically exempt from taxation. We
should either provide suitable bond is
sue or tax upon wealth, and consecrate
the income derived TO this great cause,
not sporadically. but scientifically and
outside of politics"
Representative Ransdell was introduced
as the father OF conservation" but he
denied the allegation, declaring George
washington was the first American who
championed the care OF the nations re-
sources.
After he had given a practical descrip-
ton OF just what the big project Of deep
ening and improving waterways Is, Rep
reseatadve Ransdell said:
What we want you ladies to DO is 70
so arouse public opinion that Congress
can no longer neglect the waterways.
Congress has been niggardly In the ex-
trene in regard 10 this matter. and we
want you ladies TO help us make the peo-
pie call upon them for action.
Why, any woman in this room would
send man to the insane asylum who
conducted his business the way Congress
conducts this business Of conservation"
He pointed cut the millions spent for
the Panama Canal and the navy. and
presented = mass OF figures TO bear out
his statements. He declared Germans
are our natural rivals. and that by adopt
ing g perfect system Of using their rivers
and canals with their railroads, they
have buin up their commerce. He said
Germany would profit more by the COM
pletion Of the Panama Canal than Amer
lea, unless the rivers OF the East and
West. allowing commerce TO flow to the
sea, are made moro useful.
Good Things Enjoyed.
And you women have everything to do
with this thing" he added. There Isn't
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