Imperial Valley press., 1914-06-06
SUFFRAGE QUESTION BOTHERS
GENERAL WOMEN'S CLUBS

above all other questions likely to con-
front the General Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs convention here next week
is that Of woman suffrage. 1t was
a question that was worrying both ma
tional and state leaders of the suf
frage movement here today. Whether
the Federation-admittedly the fore
most body Of representative women in
the country today-would come out
fatty in favor of the universal fran
chise, or continue to sidestep the prop
osition, was matter of grave specu-
lation. Neither prominent suffragists
nor delegates to the Federation's meet
ings would venture a prediction as to
the probable action that would be tax
en- by the national association of
women's clubs.
Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout, president
of the Illinois Equal Suffrage Asso-
citation, was hopeful. She declared that
if the time Seemed propitious," an
effort would be made to have reso-
luton favoring woman suffrage pre-
sented to the Federation.
"We are anxious" said Mrs. Trout
"that such body of representative
and influential women endorse univer-
sal suffrage. But we do not intend
to fight through resolution or in
dulge in any tactics that will create
animosity for the movement. Unless
circumstances and the time seem pro-
pitious when the Federation's conven-
tion gets under way, we shall make
no attempt to have the convention to
go on record. Rather we prefer to
continue our campaign of education.
But l must say that we are hopeful"
Miss Jane Adams, head of the ma
tional woman suffrage movement in the
absence of DR.. Anna Howard Shaw in
Europe, and other national and state
officers of suffrage associations here,
subscribed to the statement of Mrs.
Trout.
At the last convention of the Fed
Grafton, held in San Francisco, and at
previous meetings, the suffrage ques-
ton was never permitted to come
before the delegates. According to
local club-women, this policy has been
pursued in order to refrain "from CO.
ercing the minority"
"The Federation represents women
of many races and creeds," said Miss
Arma Clark, an officer of the Chica-
60 Woman's Club. eve have anti-suf
fragists, suffragists, and non-commit-
tails ir the organization. We are es-
| sentially non-partisan, we don't care
for politics, and we do not believe
in coercing the minority"
That a strong bid will be made for
action of the votes-for-women prop
osition is forecasted in the elaborate
banquet planned for Sunday night
June 13, by the Illinois Equal Suf-
frage Association at the Congress
Hotel. Already one thousand reserva
tions have been made, and influential
delegates to the Federation meeting
invited to attend.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, inter.
national head of the suffrage move
ment. will be the chief speaker al
the banquet. She is also to address;
the Federation on "The Progress o1
the American Woman" Other speak
ers at the dinner will be: Miss julia
Lathrop, head Of the children's bureau
lat Washington, Mrs. Harlan Ware
Cooley, President of the Chicago
Woman's Club, Mrs. Frederick A. Dow
president of the Illinois Federation Of
Woman's Clubs, Mrs. George Bass, il
charge of arrangements for the Fed
Grafton convention, and Mrs. Grace
Wilbur Trout.