Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-17
President Receives Delegation
and Listens AttentiveIy to
Arguments.
EXECUTIVE REFUSES
TO COMMIT HIMSELF
Strongly Urged to Recommend Con-
gressional Action in Message to
the Special Session.

| President Wilson was besieged by the
! suffragists at the White House this
| morning. Seated In the center Of little
| ring made up Of five representatives OF
| the National American Woman Suffrage
| Association, he listened attentively to a
/ vol1ey of woman suffrage arguments
| When they were through he said he
| would consider carefully the statements
| laid before him.
Inc Surragists went to the White
| House primarily to ask the President to
| incorporate in his message to the spe-
| cial session of Congress April a recon-
mendation for a constitutional amend
| ment providing for nationwide equal suf-
frage. They left under the impression
that their request will get really careful
consideration.
The President told the women that he
is still considering what to say in his
special message and that If he does not
include the recommendation they asked
for IT will not mean that he is opposed
to woman suffrage. He pointed out that
out suggestion from him. The suffragists
replied that his Endorsement would give
the question more weight
Members of Party.
In the party were Miss Alice. Paul of
Philadelphia, chairman of the commit
tee which arranged the suffrage process
sion here March 3; Mrs c. U. Stone, wife
Of Representative Stone Of Illinois, Mrs.
Harvey W. Wiley, wife of the pure food
expert; Mrs. Ida Hustled Harper of New
York and Miss Mary Bartlett Dixon of
Baltimore. They We're introduced to the
hy-
California, an ardent suffragist
The Presidents reception to the suffra-
gists was cordial, but he impressed them
by the gravity OF his demeanor. He smiled
his new book, The New Democracy
and told him If he substituted women"
for men in some sections it would be
the best argument for woman suffrage
she ever saw.
Representative Raker had made a mis-
take in the hour of the appointment, and
therefore the women arrived at the
White House at 10 O'Clock instead of IL
o'clock. He arrived In his automobile,
but the women went on foot. There was
group as they walked up to the executive
offices and were escorted to a secluded
corner by Mr.. Raker. All were quietly
attired.
Have Their Pictures Taken.
long in retirement, for a group of pho
tographers discovered them and escorted
them to the front Of the executive ofnces,
where they posed for pictures. They got
past the policemen and secret service
men without even a glance.
Each Of the five had had her part aliot-
ted to her. They were escorted into
President Wilson's private office and
after being introduced to him they quick
~ took seats around him and began their
arguments.
Miss Paul told the President that they
represented several million voters and
other women. and outlined their desire
for a mention of their cause in his mes.
sage to the extra session of Congress
She said that about one-eighth Of the
electoral college Is now chosen partly by
women. that one-fifth Of the Senate rep
resents suffrage states, and that about
one-ninth of the House represents suf-
frage states.
Mrs Wiley. who is president Of. the
Housekeepers' Alliance. spoke for mother
hood. She told the President that women
who are mothers have difficulty in shap-
ing the lives Of their children as they
would wish because they have no say In
suffrage helps to make for a better civil
lZation.
Speaks for the West.
Mrs. Stone spoke for the women Of the
west. She said that the situation in
Illinois shows the need Of constitutions
amendment for nationwide suffrage
There is great difficulty in amending tn.
Illinois state constitution. she declared
and the situation In other states is very
similar. Therefore the only way for the
women to get what they want is by ar
amendment to the federal Constitution.
Miss Dixon spoke from the standpoint
of the suffragists of the south. She de-
clared that the republican party has
| ing the suffrage to the negroes, and tina,
the democratic party can gain as mucf
by giving votes to women.
Mrs. Harper, who spoke last, summed
up the long fight which the suffragisti
have made for their cause. Since 1859
she said, efforts have been made to gel
Congress to act, but no gain has beer
made. She told him she was one Of q
group of women who talked with PreSi
dent Roosevelt In the same room In 1905
| and that he had taken no action.
| Situation Now Different.
Mrs. Harper pointed out to the Presi
dent that the situation is now different
Women have the vote in nine states. Shit
| said, and the cause is rapidly gaining
ground. The time has come when It 1,
|
| declared, and when the President an(
Congress may well afford to recognize i
| as such.
She said that the suffrage question is
| of more Importance than either the tarif1
| or the reform of currency and banking
| laws, and that he could make no mistake
| by taking 1t up In his message to the
| extra session OF Congress. She then re.
ferred to his book and told how his owu
arguments for democracy applied to votes
for women.
/! After leaving the White House the
| women expressed themselves as well
pleased by the interview. They said
| that bills for the desired constitutions
amendment will be introduced In both the
House and Senate whether or not the
President includes the subject in his mes
! sage. but that they want him on their
| side II possible
PLOT AGAINST CHANCELLOR.