The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-08-15

Committee yesterday.
In a national political convention, to be
held at San Francisco In 1915. the women
voters Of the country will make plans to
force the campaign for equal suffrage to
a nationwide successful issue In 1917.
This latest move to be made by the
National Council OF Women Voters in
practical politics was determined upon
quietly yesterday. following the return
Of the members OF the council from an
informal hearing before the House Rules
Committee II probably will remain the
most significant act OF the present con-
ference.
onicers and leaders Of the council de-
cl:ned to predict what the nature OF the
policies will be that the convention In
San Francisco will be called upon to con-
slider. They say this will depend on the
suffrage situation in 1915.
From expressions OF several OF the
leaders, il Is gathered, however, that
the convention will be called to deter
mine the national party that 1t would
be most expedient to support, meaning
the party pledged to immediate passage
| of a Constitutional amendment giving
all women OF the country the franchise
Balance of Power.
The women believe that. in the present
ten suffrage States, they hold the bal
ance Of power necessary to swing the
national election in their favor. They
expect the Dakotas and Montana to de-
clare for equal suffrage in 1914. when
these States present suffrage amend
ments to the constitutions to the people.
In 1915 they hope to add New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to the
woman suffrage fold. This would make
their wishes for enfranchisement by Fed
eral amendment formidable in the gen.
eral elections of 1916.
1 1t was intimated. by a woman high ir
the council. last night that the Demo
cratic party will be held responsible al
the 1915 convention. in case it fails tt
pass the Federal amendment before tina
body assemblies. She added that thi:
statement implied no threat. but merel,
| the determination OF the women whc
| have already received full suffrage Il
see that this right is extended to every
woman under the Stars and Strips.
| The women's convention will be or
ganized in conformity with the plan of 4
national party convention. Regularly
| elected delegates will be sent from eaci
| district.
| When it is considered that the Pro
gressive party has unreservedly adopted
woman suffrage as one of its cardina
principles, it is common sense 10 suppos
| that the women are looking forward Il
| throwing their whole political strength
to that party in 1916, provided the Demo
/ cratic party has not already brough
about the adoption of the Federal amend
1 ment. Plans to carry the Progressive
party into power on the issue of equa
suffrage would be laid at the San Fran
cisco convention.
Mrs. Emma Smith De Voc, president o
\ the National Council. when asked IL sucl
would be the purpose Of the convention
| said:
| I'VE are entirely norpartisan. and so
at this time. can declare no party allegi
ance. We are calling a strictly politica
| convention in 1915 to consider the bes
means of obtaining suffrage for all thu
women. II the Progressive party. or an!
other party, should pledge itself to estab
/ lish such reform Immediately. wha
would be the most logical thing for u!
to dor
For International Conference.
Upon the conclusion Of the work upo1
plans for the convention, DR.. Viola M
Coe, Of Oregon. presented to the coun
Gil a proposal that an international con
ference of women voters be held In con
nection with the gathering in San Fran
cisco in 1915 Mrs Claudius NJ. Stone
wife of Representative Stone Of Illinois
moved that Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait
president of the International Woman
Suffrage Alliance. be requested to extent
the councils invitation to conference
through her committee Of internationa
women voters. This was adopted.
More than four hundred womei
gathered in the House ONCE Building
10 o'clock yesterday morning at the in
formal hearing by the Rules COMMITTEES
given to representatives Of the Nationa
Council Of Women Voters and thei
friends, for the presentation OF argu
ments for the creation Of Q woman sur
frage committee in the House. Mrs
Emma Smith DeVoe presided over tn
speakers at the hearing.
Miss Jane Adams, of Hull House. Chi
cago; DR.. Viola NJ. Coe. of Oregon; DR.
Cora Smith King. Of Washington: Mrs
Frances Maule Bjorkman, Of Colorado
DR.. Harvey w. Wiley. pure foor expert
Mrs. F. w. Mondell, wife Of Representa-
tive Mondell Of Wyoming: Miss Mar!
Mcdowell, vice president Of the Chicagt
woman's Trade Union League. and heat
resident of the University of Chicago set
Element; and Representatives Raker o
California, Heating of Colorado. and Fal
coner Of Washington, addressed the com
mittee.
Besides Chairman Henry, other mem
beers of the Rules Committee presen
| were Hardwick Of Georgia, Garrett o
Tennessee, Foster Of Illinois, Conroy o
New York, and Campbell Of Kansas. Fiv'
members were absent. At the CONCLUSION
of the hearing. Chairman Henry statet
that the committee would grant lorna
hearing to the women in the nrst week
Decennher. keep a record Of the plea
made, and publish this record as q pub
lie document
Miss Addams' Argument.
Miss Jane Adams told the committe
that 1t was humiliating that there ha'
been no discussion Of the woman SUI
| frage question in the House for TWEEN
i ty-six years. When she attended tn
international Suffrage Congress At Buda
pest, she said. she was embarrassed b,
! the query Of European women VIII