The Washington herald., 1914-01-12
ISSUED
BY SUFFRAgIST
Mss Paul Says Women VIII
Fight Democrats Who
Oppose Amendment.
WILL WORK IN DISTRICT
Chairman Outlines Plans-Sum Of
$9.l0S Pledged at Meeting at
Mrs. Kent's Home.

The American sunragist, as represented
by the Congressional Union for Woman
Suffrage, dropped the role of the suppli-
ant and took long, step toward open
militancy yesterday afternoon. when Miss
Alice Paul. chairman Of the union. ut
tered a threat full of portent for the
leaders of the Democratic party.
IF the Democrats do not pass the con-
stitutional amendment in the present ses-
sion Of Congress. cried Miss Paul to 800
women, many of them prominent In cir
cles other than suffrage and all of them
sparkling with enthusiasm and excite
ment, "the Congressional Union will do
its utmost to defeat the Democratic
nominees in the coming Congressional
campaigns" She then outlined the plan
she and her associates have decided upon.
The meeting, at which Miss Paul sprang
the suffrage sensation, was at the home
Of Mrs. William Kent. wife of the Rep
resentative from California, at 1895 F
street northwest, and was the means Of
raising $9.10S, to be added to the unions
campaign fund. This sum, which was
taken in pledges from the women present,
was raised through the efforts Of Mrs.
Donald Hooker, OF Baltimore, chairman
of the finance committee. is the largest
amount ever raised at a suffrage meeting
in the District Of Columbia and one of
the largest ever raised at such n meeting
anywhere in the United States.
Some Are Disconcerted.
A few women present were disconnected
at Miss Paurs open threat to the Demo-
cratic party. afterward expressing the
fear that IL seemed too much like the
militant tactics Of the English suffra-
gettes.
Washington is to be the seat of the
said Miss Paul. as the union
was formed for the particular purpose
Of concentrating all suffrage forces on
Congress. Next Friday George Lansbury
member Of the English House OF Com
mons, who resigned his seat because
his party, the Labor party. would not
support equal suffrage, will address a
mass meeting here: on January 81 a
deputation OF 100 working women, who
are now organizing, will call on Presi-
dent Wilson to ask his support; on
February 80 the union will give a play in
the Columbia Theater. How the Vote
Was won." the cast of which will be
made up of well-known suffragists There
will be a suffrage minstrel show on the
same day.
On May 2 every State suffrage or
yanization in the country will hold q
to rouse local sentiment
md at each meeting delegates will be
selected to come to Washington and
DIN in huge national demonstration.
IN May ., when the delegates and as
many other suffragists as can be gath
red together. will march down Penn
y1vania avenue to the Capitol, and |
here demand that the constitutional |
providing equal suffrage |
10 passed before the close OF the ses- |
ion.
Big Conference Planned.
In the late summer the National |
'ouncil of Women Voters, made up OF |
lembers from the ten States in which |
'omen have the franchise. will hold
big conference In Denver or San
francisco, with view to bringing /
ressure to bear on Congress. That
nd the meetings of such organiza-
ions as may be formed all over the
ucing Congress to enact the amend
,ent will be the last pacific efforts.
hereafter. said Miss Paul, the Demo-
rats had best beware.
Upon the failure of Congress to pass
Ie amendment or of the Democratic party
, announce a distinctly favorable at
tude. workers of the Congressional
nion will go West to take part in the
l>campaigns wherever the
emocrats have only a slight majority |
r there is a likelihood of the defeat of
heir Congressional nominee. The women
III spend their efforts in such districts
assist in the election of the nominees
the Republican or Progressive parties
: any other party that is opposed to
ie Democratic.
Mrs. Donald Hooker. the only other
,eaker, made q clever collection
yeech." which wa the principal means
raising the large amount pledged. Mrs.
ooker. herself, started the fund by an
ouncing a gift OF $1,000 which she stip-
lated was to be expended in merging
lie two suffrage organs, the Mary
nG Suffrage News. of Baltimore, and
lie Sufrragist, of Washington.
Auction on Privilege.
Excitement prevailed when the fund
as a dollar short of 5000. and Mrs
locker cried out: Il am going to auction
Il the chance to make ii $500, Who
ants to put up that dollar? What am
bid?' l.
Three dollarsw somebody called.
F'ive.' came from another. Ten" in
shrek from the rear of the gathering.
went all the way up to s65,
which price Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, of
bought the privilege of con-
ibutlng 81. l.
Then, with the amount standing at
,065, Mrs. Kent cried: Let's make it ,
,Ooor' and led of with a contribution
$500. When Miss Paul and Mrs Hooker ,
1ished taking pledges they found the
md had gone S10S past the 5000 mark 9
A silver loving. cup was presented to I
iss Paul by Mrs. Kent in behalf of the I
ZION as a token of appreciation of her | g.,
forts and also as birthday present
being Miss Paurs birthday $
lniversary. Mrs. Kent made a short I