The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
Delegation of Sixty Asks
Presidents Influence to
Obtain Ballot
REFUSES TO SEND
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
Executive Receives Callers Politely,
But Does Not Give Position on
Suffrage Question-Many
Are Disappointed

Washington, December S.-woman
suffrage--the question which has Wig
orousIy projected itself in the poIit-
icai forum-confronted President VIII
son today, personified by go members
of the National American Woman suf-
frage association, who pleaded that he
use his influence with Congress TO
obtain The ballot for the women of the
nation.
1t was the first time the President
had been brought face to face with
the issue in. formal way. He told
his callers that whatever might be his
personal views on woman suffrage or
any other subject he had made it a
rule not to urge legislation upon Con-
gress that had not been the subject IF
.'organic consideration by the demo-
cratic party, of which he considered
himself the spokesman. The President
said that when members OF Congress
consulted him he would freely give his
views and he added that having al
ready been asked his opinion about the
organization of standing committee
In the House of Representatives to con-
slider woman suffrage, he had expressed
himself in favor of such a commit
tee.
Some Disappointed
Some of the members of the delega-
tion were disappointed, some felt en-
couraged. others were non-committal.
Or. Anna Howard Shaw expressed the
view that the Presidents Endorsement
of the idea of a special committee In
the House was all that could have been
expected under the circumstances
1t was quiet. earnest group of sui
fragists who stood in circle with the
President in its center in the White
House offices. Most of them had walkei
in defiance of freezing gale. enthu-
siastie about their mission and deter
mined to get definite expression FROM
the chief executive. They constituted
the special committee appointed by the
convention of the national organizatoo
to await the Presidents recovery front
his Illness and they marched confident
ly to the White House TO plead their
cause.
This is to be no mere handshaking
affair" remarked one of the leaders to
the assembled group. 'Dr. Shaw will do
all the talking and the handshaking.
TOO. II was SAID tilftt she WHO SPOKE
remembered visit OF New Jersey sur
fargists who took the President
message on Woman suffrage and shook
hands with him, but got no reply
DIR. Shaw Spokesman
The President nodded pleasantly 10
the women as they formed a circle
around him and DR.. Shaw stepped for
ward. In low voice she told in a
straightforward simple way how un-
availing had been the frequent pilgrim
ages OF the women to Washington
heretofore and how committees of Con-
gress had listened courteously, but had
'buried their case" She appealed to the
President 'fn the spirit of justice to
urge upon Congress to pass an amend
ment to the federal constitution to be
submitted to the states that would
give women the right to vote through
out the land. She suggested three ways
for the President to help the cause
OF suffrage-by a special message on
the subject, a reference to it in any
general message he might send or the
use of his influence to obtain tae APP
pointment of standing committee IN