The Washington herald., 1910-01-26

Washingtons 3 most influential women
yesterday afternoon enthusiastically allied
themselves with the National Anti-Food
Trust League. forming at the Arlington
Hotel an auxiliary organization to COM
bat high prices,
Met voluntarily, without a dissenting
voice, several hundred representatives OF
the best communal activities Of Wash
ington present, adopted a resolution OF
sympathy with the war on the food mo-
nopolies. and organized to give their
sympathy practical application when 1t
shall be needed.
The organization, which is TO be re-
placed by a permanent one, elected Mrs.
John B. Henderson. chairman, and Mrs.
Sarah D. La Fetra, vice chairman. A
secretary is to be chosen by these two
officers An advisory committee consist
ing of Mrs. Herbert Wadsworth, Mrs. A.
c Barney, Mrs. J. c. Burrows. Mrs.
Mary S. Lockwood, Miss Mabel Board
man. Mrs G. 7. Smallwood, and Mrs.
Randolph de B. Keim was later appointed
by Mrs. Henderson.
The resolution was introduced by Mrs.
G. 7. Smalwood. 1t declares sympathy
with any action looking to the protection
OF the consumer.
Mrs. Henderson on Diet.
The meeting was opened by Mrs. Mary
Sitz Parker. who introduced Mrs. John B.
Henderson as chairman Of the meeting
Mrs. Henderson then read a paper. in
which she declared that the principal
result Of the agitation would be the edu-
cation which the people would receive in
dieting and hygiene. A decreased con-
sumption Of meat, she predicted, would
be the permanent effect
Emil L. Scharf. president Of the Anti
Food Trust League, followed the chair
man. He stated the purpose of the
league and the line of warfare 10 be con-
Quoted. questioning the effectiveness Of
the Congressional investigation, and ex-
toiling the value of the services which
women could render
I'VE should not wait for the report OF
the Congressional investigating commit
tee.' said he. before We move on the
evil Of exorbitant prices which we now
face Nothing will come Of the investi-
CATION. The committee viii investigate
for years.
I'VE want women In our organization.
Women know prices and what they rep
resent from their household experience.
They do not want a Congressional re-
port They would probably use it to
start the fire with"
In the interest OF the Anti-Food Trust
League, J. Lynn Yeagle told the women
present why their cooperation was de-
sired and what would be the immediate
purpose Of their enlistment in the cause
for cheaper food Women Of influence
were wanted who could gain support for
the movement. Such a gathering was
one that would WELD a great power il
allied with the league.
Many Women Speak.
Vigorous expressions We're heard from
Mrs. Henderson. Mrs. Mary S. Lock-
wood, and DR.. Alice W. Harvey Mrs.
Henderson unqualifedly favored a boy
colt. Mrs. Lockwood said: If my eat
ing meat enables offense to be given my
brother, want to stop eating it." Dr.
Harvey encouraged the women to lay
aside timidity and assist the movement
against high prices.
Mrs. George NJ. Sternberg: Harmony
IN action between the government and
the people in their campaign against high
prices is the only way TO conquer the
evil In the womans movement intel
ligent committees are needed to find the
- 81
rid of IT,"
Mrs. Senator Burrows; .I most heart
fly approve of the campaign against high
prices. It is a matter OF concern 20 all,
not only TO the poor people, but to the
average buyers. The blame, no doubt.
exists in the middleman, and not so
much IN the farmer and retailers"
Mrs. Alfred Clifford Barney: "Of
course. am in sympathy with any ef-
fort TO lower the price OF food stuffs I
do not see, however, why such a fuss
should be made about beef Beef is not
essential to the people. They are better
off without It, but it Is the other food
stuns, Just as high, which should com
mand our earnest consideration"
Mrs. Ten Eyke Wendell: "Of course,
believe that We have got to do something
TO bring down the price of living"
Mrs. Randolph de B. Keim: Il am will
ing 10 work as hard as possible for the
cause"
Decide ON Auxiliary Work.
At the conclusion of the discussion the
temporary auxiliary organization was de.
cided upon.
Among those who were present at the
meeting yesterday afternoon were Mrs.
Herbert Wadsworth, Mrs. Alfred Clifford
Barney, Mrs. William Boardman Miss
Mabel Boardman. Mrs. J. c. Burrows.
Mrs. George NJ. Sternberg, Mrs. William
Ellison, Mrs. G. T. SmaIwood. Mrs.
Robert NJ La Toilette. Mrs Mary S.
Lockwood, Mrs. Newberry, Mrs. Ten Eyke
Continued on Page 2, Column 8.