New-York tribune., 1911-10-15
WAR AMONG SUFFRAC|STS
Woman'S Party in Uproar al
Convention in Brooklyn.
THREE REBELS" EXPELLED
Action Taken After Insurgents
Sent Out for Lawyers to
Defend Rights.

The Woman Suffrage party has frequent
ly said proudly TO politicians that it, too.
was organized on political Tines II any
politician chanced last night 10 be In the
neighborhood OF No. 26s Gates avenue,
Brooklyn. where the party convention for
that borough was called, he couldn't have
doubted that statement. The gathering got
so extremely political that three lawyers
were called in by Mrs Grace G. Wolter-
beck, one OF the candidates for borough
chairman, 10 defend what she deemed her
rights.
The trouble began when Mrs Robert H.
Elder, present chairman and candidate 10
succeed herself, decided that she would
have an executive committee meeting OF the
district leaders instead Of a convention.
Huge indignation reigned among delegates
who were not leaders when they found them
selves crowded into the narrow entrance
hall outside the parlor in which the lead
err sat, but they weren't half as angry as
were Mrs. Wolterbeck. Miss Ida Croft and
Mrs Priscilla Hackstsff, all officers OF the
borough organization. for we'll these three
knew what Mrs. Elder meant in calling
that committee meeting.
II hold in my hand" said Mrs Elder.
"an announcement OF the formation OF the
Kings County Woman Suffrage Alliance,
with Mrs. Wolterbeck at its head. Mrs.
Hackstaf and Miss Croft are named as
members This. sent as II has been 10
members OF the Woman Suffrage party, is
clearly designed to break up the party. IT
is the move of women crazy 10 hold office
and to rule
That alliance was formed 10 help the
Woman Suffrage party" shrieked Mrs.
Hackstan
Help the party cried Mrs. Elder. Did
the Southern States intend TO help the
Union when they seeded? You are as
clearly seceders as they were
This is atrocious.' exclaimed Mrs. VOL
terbeck IL shall have your action entered
In the minutes.
well. enter it then" retorted Mrs. Elder.
By this time Mrs Hackstan, Miss croft
and Mrs Wolterbeck were all on the floor
shrieking 10 be heard. The delegates
crowded out into the hall were demanding
I'm loud tones 10 know why they had been
summoned To d convention and then not
allowed TO convene.
Al last Mrs. Elder declared that II the
persons who didn't belong I'm the meeting
couldn't be induced 20 start out. she would
appoint committee TO 80 downstairs and
consider the charges against Mrs. Nolter-
beck Miss croft and Mrs Hackstan. Ae-
cordingIy Mrs Gus Rubin, Miss Anna NJ.
King and three other women fled down 10
the basement OF the house. while Mrs.
Hackstan cried in saturnlnc tones: Aha.
Star chamber proceedings. ladies'
'T won't stand it, cried Mrs. Voter
beck I'VE were called to 4 borough con-
vention. and now this is sprung upon us!
ru get a lawyer" She disappeared and
came back presently with three scared
looking members Of the legal fraternity,
whom twenty-seven women Immediately
surrounded and talked 20 all ar once
The committee of five down in the dining
room voted to expel Miss Croft Mrs. VOL
terbeek and Mrs HOckstaff from the Wom-
an Suffrage party, but added a proviso that
they might be readmitted II they were good.
ton was held. and Mrs Elder was re-
elected chairman Of the borough. Mrs.
Talbot Perkins was made vice-chairmaA.
ard Miss Grace Raymond secretary
Miss Croft announced late last night that
the three expelled would az once present
charges against Mrs. Elder 20 the city
committee OF the Woman Suffrage party.