Evening star., 1913-04-13
RECEPTION IS HELD
FOR D. A. R. WOMEN
All in Readiness for Opening of
National Convention Here
Tomorrow.
NUMEROUS COMMITTEES
IN SESSION YESTERDAY
Question of Revising Constitution
May 0vershadow the
Election.

opening of the twenty-second annual con-
gress of the Daughters of the American
Revolution in Memorial Continental Hall
tomorrow morning. More than 2,OOO dele
gates and alternates from every state in
the United States are already in the city,
and more are expected to arrive today.
The many social features which dc
much to make the d. A. r. congresses
notable were inaugurated last night when
the Daughters and members of other
patriotic organizations were received at
the New National Museum Richard
Rathbun, assistant secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution. received in place
of Secretary Charles d. Walcott. who did
not attend because of the recent death OF
his son Mrs. Matthew T. Scott, presi-
dent general of the d. A r., received
for the Daughters.
Preliminary Work Completed.
All of the preliminary work was COM
pleted yesterday Numerous committee
meetings were held. The national board
of management was in session almost all
day because of the great press of extra
work
The board meeting was attended by most
of the members. 1t was the last meeting
of the board which will be presided over
by Mrs. Scott. and the outgoing admins
tration took pains to clear up all accu-
mulated questions
Two sessions will be held tomorrow.
the first beginning at II o'clock. and
the second at o'clock. Only routine
business of organization will be un-
dertaken in the morning, but in the
afternoon one of the most elaborate
programs ever attempted by the D. A.
X. will be carried out President Will
son and Secretary of State Bryan will
deliver addresses and other prominent
men will participate.
Revision of Constitution.
Discussion of the revision of the con-
stitution, which is to be taken up at the
present Congress. has already become SO
intense that this question promises to
John Miller Horton. Mrs William Cum
mings Story and Mrs. Charles B. Bryan,
who are making active campaigns for
president general On the call of Mrs.
J. Morgan Smith. chairman, the COM
mittee the revision held a meeting
yesterday. All possible '.jokers' were
carefully eliminated
Two of the proposed amendments
but each time they have been voted
down or consideration postponed after
oratorical conflicts lasting through
many hours. The first has to do with
the representation Of chapters in the
congress.
The proposed change would give to
each chapter it's regent, one delegate
for the first 100 members, another dele
gate when the membership has reach
ed 800 and a delegate for each addi-
tional 200 members in the congress.
This would considerably lessen the
total representation.
The second proposed amendment has
TO do with the number of new" mem
bers who may form a new chapter in
a community where there already exists
a chapter Of the society. The present
constitution provides that these chap
ters must have at least eight "neWT
members OF the national society,"
Fifteen Must Be NeY
The proposed change CANS for twenty
Eve members. of Whom at least fifteen
mustrN8e~n new members. This would
lave the effect OF preventing a great
Increase in the number of small chap
tcrs in communities where there already
are other chapters, and thus increasing
the membership of the continental con-
creSs.
Nominations for all national officers
will be made Tuesday evening, and this
session Is expected to extend far into the
night The voting will begin at o'clock
Wednesday morning and be continued
business win be transacted. Voting ma
chimes will be used this year. but despite
this the voting is expected to consume
OF delegates.