The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-14

What stand will President Taft take
in regard 10 votes for women when he
opens the National American Suffrage
Association convention tonight with an
address Of welcome
That IS the question that is causing
eager conjecture by every one directly
or indirectly interested in the big move
ment for the ballot box for women that
wifi begin a new chapter with this ma
iionaI gathering.
VIII he come out nat-footed for equal
suffrage. or will he merely welcome the
hundreds Of suffragists 20 Washington
and skip lightly over the one prevailing
issue that brings them here? Is the fact
that ne consented 90 address the conven-
ton at all proof that he is favCrably
inclined toward the cGuse2 II he open
~ champions the campaign. what inAu-
ence viii fl have on its ultimate sue
cess or failure?
Answer In Doubt.
These queries and more along the same
lines were fred back and forth yester-
day time and again. but nobody has
guessed the answer. In any event the
address OF Mr.. Taft Will be listened 20
with GREATNESS interest. and II he SAYS
things the surfragists think favorable,
his phrases will be emblazored on many
votes for women banner and printed
on many a campaign circular.
That these women have no little
weight in politics even now is conceded.
Indirectly they control many votes IN
every state. besides having thousands Ct
men pledged TO support them az the polls.
To-day will probably tell whether they
will solidly support President Taft and
/ his administration or throw their weight
In other directions.
From Miss Anna Howard Shaw. n. n,
president and chairman Of the conver-
ton. to the hUmbIest suffragist in the
ranks. It was admitted yesterday that
this is a turning point in the suffrage
movement I'm America, and IL will even
influence European campaigns.
Not EnthusinstIc Rally.
This convention will not be a mere
rally 10 promote enthusiasm and stir UP
spirit. II will be I'm the nature Of a
determined effort to force the issue
souareIy before Congress. not in the Sc
clusion OF committee rooms. but on the
floor OF the House and Senate. The
leaders claim. with no uncertainty I'm
their tones. that It is the inalienable
right Of any citizen Of any sex TO place
national issue before the highest leEis-
lative bodies. Win or lose. they are will
| ing to have the matter thrashed out in
open debate. and whether Il takes a year
or a decade. they are determined TO fight
| il out along those lines.
/ Dr. Shaw will call the convention to
order at 2.3O o'clock this afternoon but
| the first session will be devoted largely
/ TO routine business. including reports OF
standing committees and State delega-
/ tons
Badges bearing the inscription Votes
| for Women" we're much in evidence last
night around the Arlington Hotel cor
riders. as many Of the delegates have
! already arrived. II was stated last night
| on good authority that Miss Shaw will
be reelected president, and that Mrs. o.
| II. p. Belmont Will not be a candidate
| against her. Neither Mrs. Belmont nor
/ Mrs Clarence Mackal will come 10
Washington for the convention, it is
stated.
An interesting development last night
was the letter received by President Taft
| form the anti-suffraglsts. signed by Mrs.
! Frances NJ. Scott. requesting him TO
cancel his engagement to speak. or so
word his remarks that they cannot be
construed TO mean that his sympathies
are with the suffragists.
To-nights meeting will be the big ses-
sion. President Taft, Rev. Ulysses C. 3.
Perce. Robert L. owen, and Mrs Anna
| H. Shaw will be the speakers, and Ra-
chel Foster Avery. first vice president,
will be in the chair.
! Automobile firms and owners OF cars
have placed a score of machines at the
disposal Of the reception committee Of
the convention. They will be used during
the early sessions, and will form part Of
: the procession from the Arlington to the
Capitol next Tuesday morning