The Washington times., 1913-01-28
COMMERCE BODY
WILL GIVE HEARING
TO SUFFRAGETTES
Directors, After Warm Debate,
Grant Privilege of Appearing
.f
Before Committee.

The suffragettes won in the first stel
to gain the cooperation of the Cham.
Der of Commerce in their Forthcoming
pageant, when the directors of the
Chamber granted delegates from the
National Woman's Suffrage League the
privilege of appearing before the execu-
tive committee of the Chamber next
week.
But the commerce directors did not
grant this privilege without consider
able discussion. About a dozen of the
directors spoke. and nearly all of them
voiced their disapproval of woman's
suffrage as principle. John Dolph
was particularly vigorous in his oppo-
sition to votes for women.
This is a commercial and not a
political body. said Mr.. Dolph. "and
am opposed to our granting the wo-
men the privilege OF appearing before
the Chamber
These sentiments seemed to suit
George Y. Worthington, who moved
that the letter from Miss Alice Paul,
asking that she and Mrs. Helen II.
Gardener be allowed to appear before
the full Chamber. be tabled
AZ AuNitc ouuIdSetle LSdQ6IS-
Mr.. worthinston withdrew his motion
long enough to allow William F. GUIDE
to suggest that this would not be 4
very diplomatic way of going about the
thing. Mr.. GUIDE said that while he
was opposed to woman's suffrage he did
not want the Chamber TO 10 anything
discourteous, and that placing the letter
on the table would be doing that, n
effect
There is liable to be a great up
heaval of financial matters in this Dis
trict within the next few weeks" de-
clared Mr.. GUIDE. '1 refer to the pos
sibility of allowing the suffragettes
the use of the inaugural stands on
March 8. For that reason We want to
be careful ] suggest that, instead of
tabling the letter, our president be in
structed to write a diplomatic reply.
stating that this is commercial, and
not a political body"
Mr.. Worthington withdrew his mo-
tion to table, but before Mr.. GUIDES
idea could be put into the form of
motor and seconded o. ]. De Moll had
moved to put the matter in the hands
of the executive committee. There fol-
lowed some discussion as to whether
the executive committee should be
given power to act or should be made
to report back to the directors. The
latter course was finally determined
upon, and Miss Paul and Mrs. Gar
dener viii be invited to appear before
the executive committee of the Cham
Der of Commerce. But, judging from
the general tone of the meeting last
night, they will get no further.
Urges Convention Hall
meeting had been called, resulted in the
choice of Ralph W. Lee, treasurer;
Thomas Grant, secretary; Chaplin
Brown, general counsel, and George W.
Stuart and George H. Judd to fill the
two vacancies in the directorate.
President d. j. Callahan, who pre-
sided over his :irst meeting az prcsi-
dent of the Chamber. outlined work
that the Chamber should do this year.
The most important thing, he said, is
TO reawsEen Interest in the erection
Of a large hall suitable for conven-
uon and other purposes.
'The Importance of this project was
brought forcibly to our attention re-
Gently because there IL no place in
which to hold an inaugural hall
Mr. Callahan also favored the crea-
ton OF public baths for the District and
urged the directors to do all in their
power in behalf of this movement. He
suggested that there should be public
golf links, where business men who
are unable to join clubs. may enjoy the
game. Golf. he said, is fast becoming
the national game.
Names Executive Committee.
Mr.. Callahan nominated the follow |
ing executive committee. and the direc- !
tors approved the nominations: James |
r. Oyster, B. w. Guy, A. d. Prince. |
Chaplin Brown. W. T. Galliher. VIII |
liam F. Guide, NJ A. Leese and Wash |
ington Topham- Messrs Callahan, d. |
J. Kaufman and Charles J. Bell, the
president and vice presidents of the |
body, are members of the executive