Semi-weekly herald., 1914-06-08
Suffrage Question
BotIlers federatioa

CHICAGO, June 5.-Looming high
above all other questions likely to con-
front the General Federation Of Wo-
mems clubs convention here nsxt
week is that Of woman suffrage. It
was question that was worrying
both national and state leaders Of the
suffragement movement here today.
Whether the federation-ad admittedly
the foremost body of representative
women in the country today--would
come out fatty In favor Of the uni
versal franchise, or continue to side
step the proposition, was matter
Of grave speculation. Neither promi-
nent suffragists nor delegates to the
fcderation's meetings would venture
a prediction as TO the probable action
that would be taken by the national
association Of women's clubs.
Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout, president
Of the Illinois Equal Suffrage ssso-
citation, was hopeful. She declared
that il the time Seemed propitious,.
an effort would be made to have
resolution favoring woman suffrage
presented to the federation.
I'VE are anxious" said Mrs. Trout,
that such body Of representative
and influential women endorse univsr-
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 seems
propitious when the federations con-
vention gets under way, We shall
make no attempt to have the convsn-
tion to go on record. Rather, We pre-
fer to continue our campaign Of edu-
cation. But l NUT say that we sre
hopeful"
Miss Jane Adams, head Of the na.
ltional woman suffrage movement In
the absence Of DR.. Anna H. Shaw In
Europe, and other national and state
officers Of suffrage associat tions 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
question was never permitted to come
before the delegates According to
local club women, this policy has been
pursued in order to refrain 1from
coercing the minority" ssv
"The federation represents women Of
many races and creeds," said Miss
Arma Clark, an officer of the Chi
cago Woman's club. I'VE have anti
suffragists, suffragists, and non-com-
initials in the organization. We are
essentially non-partisan we don't care
for politics. and we do not believe
in coercing the minority"
That strong bid will be made for
action Of the votes for women propo-
sition is forecssted in the elaborate
banquet planned for Sunday night,
June 13, by the Illinois Equal Suf-
frage association at the Congress- ho-
tei. Already one thousand reserva-
tions have bsen made, and influsu-
tial delegates to the federation nssk-
ing invited TO sttsnd. III
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, intsr-
national head Of The suffrage msvs-
ment, will be the chief speaker a ~
banquet. She ID also to address IL
=
federation on The Progress Of ~
American Woman" Others speakers
at the dinner will bs; Miss Julla
Lathrop. head Of the childrsxs ~
reau at Warrington; MrA HAeA.n
Ward Cooley, president Of ~ a.,
eago Woman's club: Mrs. FrsdsRiek
a. Dow, prssidsnt Il Ne IEinein ~
eration Of wsman's clubs; Nm, a.
hass. n charge of arzengsaan1s ~
ehs fsdersaion eenvsnGioa, ~ -
Cracs Wilbur Treut. ''S'