The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-10
JEFFERSON THEATRE PACKED TO HEAR
 EQUAL SUFFRAGISTS
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mother should be given equal right il the ballot. She cited instances Of tn, influence of women in civic affairs il Colorado and Philadelphia and Of tue inn proycment thereby. She said that womer were willing to work. but must be pro. xided with the necessary tools tc worb with to he effective. having reference to the ballot.
 Miss Jane Addams received all ovation as she rose to speai;. She was suffering from hoarseness from continued speak ing. but made Il great speech for the sause. She explained what the national association had accomplished in securing equal suffrage in several states. She strongly advocated the passage of the national equal suffrage bill, contendng that it would be sasier t9 have the states ratify federal enactment than to grant the ballot, one by one. She said, now ever, that each state should go ahead and secure the passage of an equal suf- frage bill and then the amendment would be assured.
 She gave an interesting account of the recent Chicago election and of the many reforms that women had secured in llli- nois since they had been granted the ballot She spoke ct the appointment of women policemen and said they were necessary in a city like Chicago with it's many halls and places of public amuse- men, stating that they acted as chap crons to the sgirls that frequent these places and that thev were proving of great value in tho suppression of vice. She referred to the establishment of the juverile court and court of domestic re- lations through the influence of women. and that. now the women have tke vote in Chicago they proposed to brine about changes i, the municipal court. Miss Addams urged the men of Alabama to lon lhe suffrage movement and t0 give the women the franchise.
 Mrs. Hundley Speaks
 Mrs. oscar Hundley was presented by Mr. Bowron as one of the leaders of the movement in Alapama. She warmly ex- pressed her appreciation of the presence of such representative gathering of the men and women of Birmingham, both on behalf of the visitors and the local suffragists She stated that as chair man of the legislative committee of the Alabama association she was preparing a petition to be presented at the next ses- sion of the legislature asking that an amendment to the constitution giving women equal suffrage rights with men in the state of Alabama to be submitted to the people for rejection ratification. She asked that in fairness and right this matter should be given to the people of the state to vote upon and urged every one present to sign the petition. Me stated already there were 2Ooo names on the petition and expected that before the legislature met 1t woulG be 300J.
 Miss Caroline Runtz Rees emphasized the fact that justice and eXpediency were among the claims they had to equal suf- frage She said that a certain governor advanced the argument that only women with property should be allowed to vote. Miss Rees said that the large number of working girls were to be considered, and that a partial franchise was not what was wanted. She spoke of the economic reasons why woman should vote, and referred to the various meat and milk inspection laws that came so close to woman's sphere, and which If she had the ballot she could regulate.
 Mrs. Laidlaw Speaks
 Mrs. Laidlaw opened her address by stating taht she had an idea that equal suffrage had broken into Alabama. but that since she had seen the earnest ness and work of the women of the city and state, she was sure it had burst into flower. Referring to Mrs. Hundley s appeal she stated that she could not be-
 
 resist such an appeal. and that the voters of the state would surely decid, in favor of the amendment as suggested She said that with the women of Ala gama working as she had seen then working today, equal suffrage was inevit able, and tf2t it was Ii eirs as q matter of right. and that should not be asked for. but demanded. She said that many men would say they were against equa gT e ha |, come.' Then why put it off?" she asked.
 The last speaker was Mrs. Dennett, who proved one of the most pleasing and in teresting of the evening. She assured the audience that none of the leaders thought for a moment that in the evenf of equal suffrage that the earth would be transformed into heaven, but certain it was, she said, that women would hell to make for q better mode of living i given an equal part in the government of the community. She said that by req son of giving much thought to this sub jeet most of the women were bette qualified to vote than were men. fo all a man had to do was to arrive a the age of 2 and answer few ques tions that a school child could answer and he was accorded the ballot
 She said that women were more siver
 
 comparison between mems clubs. whicl she said were largely designed for eas, and comfort. while womens clubs wcr, being more and more deS oted to persona service. She said that society needs tn, Vote~ of women not merely as a privilege but as patriotic duty. She closed witl a strong appeal to the men and Womel of Alabama ito line up with the ''littl band of earnest women who have mad' such a great beginnin" in the greates movement of the present age"
 Mr. BoW~on announced that at tn meeting tonight at the Gable hal anyone was privileged to ask questions as to the equal suffrage movement an, hat there would be answered by one 0 the visiting leaders.
 Miss Addams Met by Committee
 Miss Adams arrived in Birmingham yesterday morning at 1o:30 o'cieek. Sh' vas met at the Terminal station by federation which included Mrs. Dennett Mrs Laidlaw, Mrs. Hupdley, Mrs. Jacobs Misc Rees Mrs Felix Baldridge and Mrs David Grayson of Huntsville, Mrs Ken meth Charlton, Miss Susie D. White. Sh, went immediately to the Hotel Ilillmar where she met many Of the local visitins suffragists.
 Yesterday afternoon the visitors wer, rendered motor tour, taking in tn, principal industries of .he of the district iacli ding the Ersey steel plant and tn, model mining camp at Docena. The, were shown the welfare work that ha