The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-20
women DISCUSS
PLANS TO UNITE
One Great Organization Is
Proposed to Replace
Scattered Effort.
COMMITTEE Is NAMED
Delegates Believe Union Will Be Ef-
fected and Far-reaehing
Results Attained.

| "onneH Siuus, the Ndtiouai SouHCii ol
Women. and the Association of Cole
giate Alumnae conferred at the New
Raleigh yesterday, with the object OF
bringing about a union of all women s
organization in the United States. This
proposed organization would be one Of
the largest in the world. 1t would have
about 100000 members, and 1t would be
called the League of Organizations of
| the Women OF the United States.
Thirty delegates, chosen from the three
great declarations Of women's organiza-
lions which are seeking common grounds
| for amalgamation. took part in the con-
ference. The meeting lasted two hours.
| When 1t adjourned the initial steps mad
been taken to effect the federation.
| which has been under consideration for
more than a score of years, but the
J accomplishment Of which has been al
| ways blocked by a fear on the part
of each of the national organizations of
! losing their individuality in the general
organization. Certain questions Of policy
have also stood in the way.
Difference in aims. scope and policy Of
the Federation of Women's Clubs and the
National Council of Women have made
the leaders of these two organizations
hesitate about finding common grounds.
Others in the organizations have dilisent-
lily opposed all attempts to approach the
subject. Much OF the opposition in times
past came, too, from the fear that this
mammoth organization would prove I'M
weldy and unmanageable. Members in
Canada, Alaska, Panama, the Philippines.
and in Mexico would be affiliated with the
league.
United Force Desired.
On the other hand, the great force which
heen N m
position to amalgamation has been the
desire on the part of the leaders of the
women's organizations of the country 10
present united force in the International
Council of Women. which has been con-
stantly taking a higher and higher place
among the forces of the world in all
movements making for progress.
Representation i'm the international
council was only to be had through the
national council. This excluded many
women's organizations from participa-
ton in the deliberations ard acts OF the
international council upon questions In
which their organizations were primar-
lily interested. The International Coun-
Gil of Women is composed OF delegates
from the national councils of twenty
seven of the leading nations Of the
world. Its conventions are attended by
the most representative women of the
age. and its advocacy OF policies and re-
forms is coming to play a strong part
both in national and international hu-
manitarian and progressive movements.
desire to make representation in this
body open to all organizations of Amer
lean women has been the strongest influ-
ence in bringing about yesterdays con-
ference for determining articles of or
ganization of a national league.
The conference at the Raleigh pre-
ceede5 without hitch or the looming OF
any obstacle in the way of opposition.
Temporary officers were chosen for the
delegate body. which is to work out the
details Of organization. Mrs. Percy V.
Pennypacker, president of the General
Federation of Woman's Clubs. was
chosen temporary chairman: Mrs. Kate
Waller Barrett, president of the Ma
tional Council of Women. vice chairman.
and Mrs. Philip N. Moore. president or
the Collegiate Alumnae, secretary COM
mittees were named on bylaws, officers.
membership, and plan of work. Mrs.
Pennypacker Mrs. Barrett, and Mrs.
Moore were named a committee on time
and place of further deliberative ses-
sions. and invested with the power to act
Con Adence Is Displayed.
Delegates who attended the meeting arc
confident that the projected organization
will be effected, and that il will prove of
much benefit to all organizations con-
cerned. The opinion was also generally
expressed that it would greatly add to
the delight Of the work. which the women
are trying to accomplish
In addressing the delegates upon the |
purposes of the projected organization |
at the beginning of the meeting. Mrs. |
Philip N. Moore said:
THE new body is to be a union of |
constructive EXAMINATIONS of national |
character, a cooperation Of all women |
interested in the vital work of the |
world. 1t will avoid the duplication of
our efforts on all great issues. 1t will
need tact, patience and large-hearted- |
ness to succeed. but 1 am sure that
wonderful results are just ahead of
U.S."
Mrs. Barrett proposed the name and
moved the temporary formation of a |
league. Her motion was accepted. Mrs. |
Barrett then proposed. i'm courtesy to
the co-workers, that the league send
two delegates to attend the meeting
of the executive of the International
Council at The Hague. Mrs. Barrett
will go, and she suggested that Mrs. |
John Hays Hammond be the other del |
egate. Mrs Hammond will probably |
60.
Many OrEa nizations Attend.
The following organizations were rep. |
resented at the meeting:
General Federation of Women's CIubs 1