Evening journal., 1913-12-08

LOSE APPEAL
TO PRESIDENT
Executive Will Not Send Spec
ial Message Urging "VOteg
for Women
SAYS PARTY HAS
NOT CONSIDERED SUBJECT
Br the united Pics.

By the United Press.
WASHINGTON. Dec. S.-Facing
delegation of American militant suf-
fragists. President Wilson this after
noon refused to send a special mes
sage to Congress Urging votes for
women. He also declined to incor-
porate such suggestion in one of his
regular messages. And, until con-
gress itself asks him to, he said he
could not recommend that the House
Of Representatives appoint a special
committee to investigate tie question
Of suffrage, such as now exists in the
Senate However, the President was
so diplomatic in handling the delicate
situation that the women left him,
satisfied that if he ever gets the OPP
portunity he will aid their cause.
The President based his refusal on
the fact that his private views could
not govern his actions as president.
AS leader Of his party, he insisted that
Eonly such organic questions as had
been passed upon by a national con-
vention or a conference of selected
representatives OF the body, we're sub
ject to his action.
The conference in the executive Of
fees was picturesque. Every state and
territorial organization representing
the national suffrage movement had
its delegate present. They marched
to the White House in the teeth Of a
biting wind, fully determined that at
last a chief executive of the nation
would be forced into the open either
for or against the vital question for
which they are fighting.
President Wilson received them
standing in front Of his big desk. His
face was drawn and haggard from the
effects of his recent illness. but he
shook hands warmly with Dr. Anna
Howard Shaw. presidet of the ma
tional association and Mrs. Medill Nc
Cormick, chairman Of the special com
mittee. The women gathered in hall
circle about the chief executive and he
smiled his welcome to three or four
of them whom he knew personally.
When all were in position, DR.. Shaw,
addressing President Wilson, said;
I'VE have made pilgrimages TO the
capitol every year. We have always
been received courteously. Yet ths
llegisflation we have so strongly advo-
Gated has been buried in the commit
tees of the Senate and House"
DIR. Shaw reviewed the suffrag
movement. insisting that Congress
had denied women the rights of equa
Representation and to a voice in tn
making of laws.
The suffragist committee said tn
President was extremely courteous l
his talk with them. He explained tha
he wanted to make his present sltua
ton clear to them, and as an Illus
rration he suggested that instead q
being a free citizen. who could go an
come as he willed he was now S
carefully guarded that he does no
have even the privilege of walking IN
street unaccompanied This, he SAID
was typical of his transfer from al
individual with an opinion on all SUB
iects to an official of a great govern
ment and spokesman Of a party.
He said that as governor of Ne'
Jersey. he initiated a rule, which h
is following strictly as President
that he is not at liberty to urge upo
Congress policies, which have no
had the organic consideration OF thos
for whom he is spokesman He sal
! that he has never presented his PR
vate views of legislation on any sub
ject and never shall. This limitatio
has confined MIN to those thing
e. which have been embodied as prom
= ises to the people at an election. Ur
{ der no circumstances, he said, can h
depart from this rule, exceptin
l. where he is consulted on new ma
5 ters by members of Congress. In thi
0 connection. he explained that a men
l. Der of the house rules. committee ha
asked him to favor a special suffrae
committee for the house, and that /
had replied that he thought the crei
!. ton of such committee a prop'
Il thing.
= DR.. Shaw interrupted the Presidel
:, to inquire how, if the suffragis
!; weren't members of an organic bod
: that he passes on such question
y they might get a hearing.
> The President explained that he hi
!; thought of this, but he believed tn
= they are capable of speaking f.
q themselves.