The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-03


ion of those who are advocating the
admission of women. They are not
doing it for the purpose of hurting
any other order. but for the upbuild-
ing of the A. o. u W. and to keep
pace with the advance of the times
in giving to women the rights that are
theirs. There will be about IT'S votes
cast in the grand lodge and 1t Will re-
Quire two-thirds vote to amend the
constitution and laws of the order.
The advocates of the measure claim
that the necessary two-th1rdS VIII be
ready when the vote is taken, while
others who oppose the proposition
claim that it will be shy a few votes.
The four lodges on the south side or
the river in Topeka are in favor of the
amendment, while one lodge in North
Topeka opposes the proposition. Every
lodge in Kansas City, kansas, IS IN
favor of it. only one being against it.
Hugh FarrelIy VIII Start 1t.
Hugh P. Farrelly. as chairman o!
start things when he brings in a re-
port in favor of amending the consti-
tuition and the fight will be on the
adoption of this report. If this is
adopted then the law committee of
which Edgar Bennett of Washington
is chairman, will bring in the neces-
sary amendments to the laws. It is
possible that there will be a law pro-
viding for a $500 certificate. Now
there are only one and two thousand
dollar certificates, and it is possible
that provisions will be made for So
cial members in the order.
Notes of the Convention.
The question of admitting women to
membership of the A. o. U. w. has
aroused much discussion among the
delegates to the state conference. Del
egates meet in groups and discuss the
question with a warmth that will pro-
badly be continued when the vote is
taken at Representative hall to-
Mnr,o fcv 10 nd
favorable to the proposed legislation
spent part of the morning in thrashing
out their difficulties.
II do not think the amendment will
pass S. L. Sharpe of Olathe said this
morning, "a majority is in favor of 1t
but it will take tWo-thirdS to pass the
resolution. When the matter is taken
up it win take hours to consider be-
cause many of the members will give
their reasons for or against the pro-
posal. The entire body is evenly di-
vided.''
Many of the delegates refused to
guess on the outcome of the admission
of women but all believed that it will
be close. One member said that the
would cause an increase in
the expenses of the lodge while an
other stated that it would increase the
annual receipts.
The farmers who are delegates are
not in an unhappy mood over the re-
cent drouth because of the good wheat
crop. n. M Holt of Cherokee county
said that the wheat in his district
averaged S5 bushels to the acre and
occasionally scared to 40 or above. As
Cherokee is a good wheat county most
of the farmers are prosperous this
mil"
z. A. Jackson, recorder of lodge
4S9, Doniphan county, is also pleased
over the wheat in his district. Mr..
Jackson also stated that the women
admission question was close but he
believed that the amendment would
finally pass. ~
]. F. Henderson of Severy Green
wood county. Is authority for the state
ment that his county suffered more
from the drouth than any county in
the state. Just recently" Mr.. Hen
derson said, have We ceased to haul
water to the stock. That and a good
wheat crop was our only blessing for
1918. Next year We hope to have a
banner year"
Mr.. Henderson and others are doubt |
full as to the final conflict between the |
two forces for admitting women. The |
question is being fought out in every
group of delegates in Topeka and the |
decision Will not be known until the
final vote.
V. L. Jones, of Belleville, is one of
the leaders in the movement for the |
and he stated that there |
was no doubt but that the motion |
would pass. He admitted that tht vote |
will be close. Mr.. Jones believes that |
t would benefit the order if the women |
were admitted and strengthen the |
financial standing of the lodge
E. L. Brown, of Bushton, also led in |
he discussion this morning for the |
amendment Mr.. Brown was in favor |
II 1t because it would aid them in COM |
oet1ng with other orders which had |
passed such amendments. Brown was |
ne center of large crowd this morn
ng when he held an informal debate
With delegate of opposite belief.
Two delegates that are opposing the
movement are E. C. Wielip and G. III. |
Lamb of Yates Center. Both are onto |
nlstlc about the results of the voting
IND claim that the amendment will
lever get the necessary two-thirds ma
or1ty. They have strong following
IND claim most of the delegates.
Ihere is no doubt but that the vote
VIII be close and the opposing forces
'ay that the two-htirds majority is not
,btainable.