Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-10
SUFFRAGE ISSUE
MENACES PEACE
Advocates and Ants Line Up
at Convention of Wom-
ems Clubs.
OFFICERS ARE FEARFUL
OF CLASH'S OUTCOME
Feared That Harmony of Federation
May Be Destroyed-Council
Meeting Is Held.

CHICAGO, June 1O.-Three points of
view on the question of an Endorsement
of woman suffrage by the General Fed
| GRAFTON of Women's Clubs found express
sion here before a council of delegates
this morning to outline the policy Of the
federation in it's activities during the BIZ
ennial convention which opens today.
Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout, president of
the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association,
declared for the Endorsement.
The opposite viewpoint was taken by
Mrs. z. 1. Fitzpatrick. president of the
Georgia Federation. Il am against wom-
an suffrage" she said "Women's clubs
of Georgia have had no difficulty in
getting their measures passed by the leg
islature. We are the power behind the
throne now and would lose. not gain, by
change. | am opposed to bringing the
question with its attendant train Of pol
itics into the federation. Politics mean
dissension."
Suffrage Open Question.
Suffrage remains an open question: ~
was the declaration of Mrs. Percy v.
Pennybacker Of Austin, Tex, president
Of the federation. Personally, however.
[ approve of it."
Il do not think it would be wise for
this convention to indorse a suffrage
resolution said Mrs. A. P. Coon, re-
cording secretary of the federation. This
is a question for the suffragists them
selves to decide in their own states. AS
an individual 1 am a suffragist."
With strong array of ardent suffra-
g1sts, determined to force the question
to an issue; an influential body of anti
suffragists, equally determined to oppose
iyrln -
conviction among many Of the officials
Of the federation that the subject should
be avoided, as likely to destroy har-
mony, suffrage threw all other subjects
to the shadow at the opening OF the con-
vention.
Conference Held.
After the council meeting in the fore
noon, state and department organizations
met in conference. The convention Is to
be formally opened tonight with the ad-
dress of the president, Mrs. Pennybacker
The meeting of the council of the gem
eral federation discussed methods of pro-
cedure during the convention.
Mrs. Pennybacker, presiding, looked
out over a sea of white summer dresses
and swaying fans. The president called
upon speakers to announce their names,
but for the most part they neglected to
give initials.
Subjects Discussed.
The first topic discussed was "Is it
feasible to have discussion from the
floor during the main sessions Of the
convention" The discussion was led by
Mrs. George Winslow Perkins Of Mas
sachusetts and Mrs. Lillian Pray Palmer
of California Mrs. McMurphy of New
Hampshire. Mrs. Immay Of Michigan,
Mrs. Ess of Missouri, Mrs. George B.
Barker of Kansas. Mrs Mcknight Of
Texas and Mrs. Compton of Montana
all agreed upon the desirability of liber-
ty Of speech for its educational value, but
several Of them doubted its feasibility
in SO large a convention.
The council next discussed: Should
the biennial council be as large as pos
sible or should it be confined to members
only?" Discussion was led by Mrs. Eu-
gene Reilley of North Carolina and Mrs.
Homer a. Miller of Iowa. Mrs. Ruhl of
West Virginia. Mrs. Caldwell, Virginia:
Mrs Powers. Tennessee; Mrs. Abbott,
Maine. and Mrs. Walker of Kansas ex-
pressed themselves from the floor.