New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-09
Mrs. Gait to Oppose Any
Leslie Will Contest,
if Necessary.
won't SPEND MONEY
IN RIOTOUS LIVING"
Plans Permanent Committee of
Nine Leaders to Aid in
Administration.

Mrs Carrie Chapman Gait will ask
nine prominent suffragists to assist her
in the disposition Of the 81 900 900 fund
bequeathed her by the late Mrs. Franz
Leslie. The suffrage leader seemed to
have no doubts yesterday but that the
money would be hers to distribute for
the women's cause. IN spite OF reports
that heirs of Mrs. Leslie would contest
the will.
Certainly we will fight such con
test if we have to-" said Mrs. Catt
yesterday at the Office Of the Empire
State Suffrage Campaign Committee,
303 Fifth av. mo undue influence
was brought to bear on Mrs. Leslie,
either by me or any other suffragist, as
! understand Maynard d. FollIn,
nephew of Mrs. Leslie. insinuates.
81 have known for several years that
Mrs. Leslie intended to leave part OF
her fortune 10 the cause Of woman
suffrage. She had been a member OF
the International Suffrage Association
since contributing members were ad-
mitted in 1905. The dues were So a
year. No one was ever asked 10 give
more. She has given much larger sum !
IN the past to the American Woman
Suffrage Association and 70 the Woman
Suffrage Party Of New York City.
while it would seem to be a grea.
compliment to be intrusted with the
disposition of so large a sum, IT also
entails a great deal of responsibility.
shall have to please all the sut-
fragists. all the anti-suffraglsts ana
all the relatives. Anybody who think
there is any chance Of my using tina;
legacy in riotous living will please re-
ha, 4 nf -
fragsts in this country alone VINO will
watch the disposition Of every cent.
while the will expressly states that
the money is to be intrusted to my per
sonal care, shall seek the advice Of 4
committee OF probably nine friends OF
suffrage. women and business men o.
New York. shall make some arrange
ment for the permanent life OF tins
committee. TO control the fund in case
Of my death. | have made temporary
alterations in my own viii 10 cover tie
trust in case of my death in the near
future.
THE plans for this committee are a
vet indefinite. because We are not yet
sure about the exact extent OF the
fund. | am told it * Sl.O00.00O, but
that il not definite. If the amount j.
cons iderably less it might be wise 10
convert the Legacy into cash, "a tn
Will SAYS. and spend IT for immediate
campaign purposes in the United
States. If the sum Is vast l. Will prof
ably be wiser to spend only the income
al present and save the capital Tor use
at some critical time III the future.
Women will probably get the vote
all over the United States within ten
wears. but there will still be all the
rest Of the world to convert. you know
II IL clear that no money from TINS
estate will be available for the Ne"
York campaign which terminates Oh
Election Day, 1915. II takes time Il
settle up sn estate. even II there IS No
contest As they are saying IN Eng
land. It's long way to Tipperary.
I'VE hope to win the New York cam
paign without Mrs. Leslie's money, bu'
we shall certainly miss the. contriou
ton she would undoubtedly have made
to the campaign fund had she been nv
ing this fall H..
There are many things have
wanted to do for suffrage. One IS the
establishment Of permanent suiiraG'
school for speakers and workers. W.
older workers find il constant draw
hack that the young women who come
into the movement are ignorant o.
suffrage history There is no placl
where they can learn il quickly