New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-09
PRESIDENT CHILLS
SUFFRACIST HOPES
Will Not Initiate Any Action
or Send VOteS-fOr- Women
Message to Congress.
WITHHOLDS PERSONAL
VIEWS UPON SUBJECT
3ut Says He Will Be Glad To Be
Consulted on Topic by
His Colleagues.
From The Tribune Bureaul

Ills IOlIedSueS.
From The Tribune Bureau1
Washington. Dec. S-Finally induced 20
declare himself on the subject. after re
peated efforts on the part of suffragists
10 get an audience and some definite dec
laration OF the administration attitude.
the President told a delegation of about
z hundred -for-wOmen advocates
this afternoon that he does not intend 10
initiate any action or send any message
to Congress in the interest OF woman suf-
irage.
Much disappointment was manifested
BY the delegation, which included DIR.
Anna Howard Shaw. Mrs. Medill McCor-
mick, Miss Alice Paul and other suC-
frgaists. There were notes of keen cha
grin in the comments and some declined
10 join the White House visitors who
surged forward after the interview 10
shake hands with the President.
MAY ! ask YOU a question:" inquired
DR.. Shaw, after the President had set
forth his position. Assent was given.
Since YOU, as the President are not at
liberty TO take up our cause, as YOU have
made il clear TO us. we are left without a
sPokesman-to whom may we turn in this
eXtremity?-who can speak for u.s."
The President smiled, and replied tina.
his experience had been that women
could usually speak for themselves. but
Or. Shaw asserted they could not do so
authoritatively.
Or. Shaw Makes Speech.
The interview with the President was
begun by DR.. Shaw, who delivered a five
minute talk. telling what the national as
ISOLATION had done and what was ex-
pected. She declared that the associa-
ton had been active for forty-five years,
but that measures urged by the suffra-
gists had always been lost in the COM
mittees Of the House and Senate.
She requested that the President take
the initiative and send a message TO Con-
gress urging that the cause of woman
suffrage be submitted 10 the state legis-
latJres i'm the form Of a constitutional
amendment.
Replying TO the suffragst leader, the
President argued that he did not feel that
he was at liberty to urge upon Congress
in messages policies not set forth in the
party platform. He intimated that he
had personal views regarding woman suf-
frage, but he did not feel free to urge
them upon Congress.
He said, however, that he had told a
member OF the House Rules Committee
ne believed it would be proper thing 10
appoint q special committee in the House
TO consider woman suffrage. He declared
that ne was living up TO principle car
red out In New Jersey, when he declined
10 initiate policies not embodied in the
promises made TO the people before cleo
ton
Il set myself this very strict rule when
] was Governor of New Jersey and have
followed 1t as President" said Mr.. Wilson,
and shall follow it as Presdent-that I
am not at liberty to urge upon Congress
IN messages, policies which have not had
the organic consideration Of those for
whom l am spokesman.
President Outlines His Policy.
In other words, have not yet pre-
sented TO any legislature my private views
on any subject, and I never shall, because
] conceive that 10 be part Of the whole
process Of government, that I shall be
spokesman for somebody, not for myself
il would be an impertinence. When |
speak for myself, ! am an individual !;
when am spokesman of an organic body
am a representative.
Il want TO say that with regard TO all
other matters I am not only glad 10 be
consulted by my colleagues in the two
houses, but hope they will often pay me
the compliment Of consulting me when
they want TO know my opinion on any
subject.
"One member OF the Rules Committee
did come to me and asked me what
thought about this suggestion Of yours,
OF appointing a special committee Of the
House. as the Senate has already APP
pointed a special committee for the con-
slderation Of woman's suffrage. and told
him that thought IT was a proper thing
TO do.
When my private opinion is asked by
those who are cooperating with me l
am most glad to give 1t, but am not at
liberty until ] speak for somebody besides
myself, to urge legislation upon Congress
The President thanked his visitors for
calling and shook hands with many Of
them.
Il come from Salt Lake City" Mrs.
Lulu i. Sheppard told the President "and
though my husband voted for Roosevelt. l
and my daughter voted for you, so you
see what woman suffrage can do"
II hope you will make him a convert, .
laughed the President
DR.. Shaw said that the Presidents in
terview was satisfactory.
III was all that we could ask for" she
said. HE is I'm favor Of a committee of
the House that was our chief purpose In
coming to see him"
Mrs Shaw added she was much encour-
aged and expected action by Congress.
Quinn To Be Executive Auditor.