The Washington herald., 1912-06-15
RIBBONER
FLAYS COMMITTEE
Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis Scores
House District Body for Avoid
ing Vote on Excise Bill.
TO ERECT DRINKING FOUNTAIN

For it's persistent and defiant ignoring
Of the wishes Of the majority OF the
people of the National Capital concern
ing the Works excise bill and other local
matters OF vast Importance. the House
District Committee was severely scored
by Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis, the noted
temperance advocate. in an address at
the quarterly convention Of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union yesterday
afternoon at Metropolitan Baptist
Church. Sixth and A Streets Northeast
II have long wondered at the extreme
patience shown by the people Of the
District with respect to the members
Of the House Committee said Mrs.
Ellis. Il have felt like taking the MEM
bers Of that committee by the shoulders.
severely shaking them. and then setting
them down in the corner. / am con-
WINGED that two-thirds Of the people
OF the city want the Works bill enacted
into law, and still the members Of the
District Committee insist upon evading
the issue by remaining away from the
meetings. They realize that they are
between the devil and the deep blue
sea, and are trying to skulk away until
after the coming elections.
Boiling with INDIGNATION.
II am a firm believer in righteous in
dignation. and ! am boiling over with
it 1 have carefully watched the ac-
tions of Congress In Washington for
seventeen consecutive winters, and never
before in my life have l seen such alb
soIute indifference 20 the desires Of the
residents Of the city as is being dis
played by the members Of the House
Committee.
women, II We had suffrage, those
members would act rapidly. II I had
the power and the authority to stand up
before the committee and say, Gentle
men, I hold at my command the votes Of
several thousand women; now let's have
a quorum meeting" dare say the
Works bill would be reported fayorably
and passed within a fortnight"
Mrs. Ellis also spoke on the inter
cised Congress for attempting to kill II
in the committee to which 1t was re-
ferred.
Mrs. W. J. Cawthon. chairman Of the
committee on public drinking fountains,
reported that plans are being made for
the creation at Fifteenth Street and New !
York Avenue Northwest. in front Of the |
Treasury Building OF a memorial drink |
irg fountain in honor Of Frances z. |
Willard. the celebrated temperance work |
er The Commissioners and the mem |
hers Of the Fine Arts Commission have |
approved Of the project. II is planned !
to dedicate thee fountain in the fall |
of 1913.
May Ask Aid.
Mrs. Cawthon's committee viii prob |
ably appeal to the National Temperance |
I Jnion to assist in the erection OF the |
memorial She reported that plans are l
also being considered for the erection
Of less elaborate drinking fountains in
various sections Of the city.
Albert Z. Shoemaker. attorney for the
Anti-SalOon League, delivered a short
address, in which he told Of the efforts
which were being made 10 procure a
quorum meeting OF the House District
Committee.
The convention was In session all day
Mrs. Emma Sanford Shelton, president
Of the organization, called the morning
session t. order. Mrs. J. c. Ball offered
prayer. after which the reports we're
read by Mrs. E. s Henry. Mrs. Charles
b Grandfield. Mrs. Charles II. Hall, and
Miss Olea Wood.
Mrs. Ida NJ. Marsh, president Of the
Capitol Hill Union. gave a short talk,
after which an address OF welcome was
by Rev. J. c. Ball. pastor OF
Baptist Church A response
was made by Mrs. S. Z. Nicholson. Mrs.