The Washington times., 1914-08-18
Over 1000 Women Enrolled in
Separate Departments of
Christian and Temperance
Effort.

Though primarily an organization
for the promotion of temperance,
the District of Columbia Womdn's
Christian Temperance Union has
translated its mission into broader
terms of helpfulness and service.
The W. c. T. u. held the first
mass meeting in Washington pre-
sided over by women, NTH the pos
sible exception of suffrage gather
ings. 1t WAS first in the field of
work for fallen women. 1t was first
to start work among residents of the
alleys. 1t was first to begin the
newsboys' aid work. 1t mas first
to establish in Washington whdt
now is commonplace, cafe where
luncheons and dinners could be
obtained without coming into con-
tact NTH liquors.
Some of this work has been
taken over by independent orgdni-
zations. Much of it, and many
other similar lines of effort, still
are fostered by the w. c. T, u.
women.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.
Twenty-four unions, scattered in
various sections OF the Capital,
working in thirty-four departments
OF service. covering almost every
phase Of Christian and temperance
effort, and comprising a member
ship of more than 1000 represent
the field of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union in Washington.
The Washington w. C. 7. q. had
its beginning shortly after the for
nation OF the national body in Hills
boro in the winter OF 1873. Only one
year later, the organization which,
in seventeen years was to spread
over the entire globe, was formally
christened and the widely known
white ribbon adopted as the society
emblem.
first Washington woman to issue
call for a series OF W. c. T. U.
prayer meetings. These meetings
resulted in the enlistment in a cru
sade of many prominent Washing
ton women who had shrunk from
the publicity of such project. The
meetings commenced in Wesley
Methodist Church, but grew to such
proportions that other meetings
were held simultaneously in various
sections of the city. Mrs. William
Burris led the central section Mrs
Clara l. Roach lod the northern
section, and Mrs. D. Noble led the
Southern section.
Crusade Incidents.
When the crusade began, women
visited the saloons and their expert
ences furnish an interesting chap
ter in the early history of the tenn
perance movement in Washington.
One man threw scalding water on
| w. c. T. U. woman, while another.
| owning a saloon at Sixth and p
| streets. was courteous, listened as
the women prayed in the street. and
at the end of few weeks gave up
his business.
Mrs, Emma Sanford Shelton. now
| president of the District W. g. T. L.,
| has compiled from the records of the
| union here a number or interesting
| facts about the work, which has
been as much along Christian as
along strictly tei"Peia 'S
| THE first mass meeting conducted
nv women of this city. beside the
Suffrage Associations" said Mrs.
Shelton. was held in Hamlirs' Meth
odist church. The speakers were
Mrs. Annie Linville. Mrs. Phoebe
Tnderhill. Mrs. George A. Hail Mrs.
sat n Ia Fetra, Mrs. Nellie II.
Bradley and Mrs. Barnard"
In addition to these women many
whose names are prominent in
Washington's history have been iden-
titled with the w. c. #. U. work.
..Tbese women were invited to diff
ferent sections of the city to speak
on the crusade Mrs. Shelton con-
tinued land for ten weeks these
meetings were continued hundreds
Of men signing me tenperancS
pledge. many OF whom professed
| rnpxersjon During an entire win
Ter, sunday afternoon mseunys we're