New-York tribune., 1914-11-16
CauCuSes and Committee
Meetings and Confer
enCeS at Nashville.
SOUTHERN WOMEN TO
CONCENTRATE WORK
Campaign States to Exchange
Speakers - Jane Addams
Afternoon Speaker.
BY yIRA BOARMAN wHITEHOUSE.


Nashville. Tenn, Nov. 10 Sunday
has not been a day of rest for the suf-
fragis;s in Nashville. From an carly
hour this morning there have been
caucuscs, committee meetings and in
formal conferences. The representa-
tivcs Of the Southern States met and
agreed on a policy Of concentration of
effort They have decided that all the
assistance which the national associa-
ton can give the South shall for the
present be given to Alabama. This is
not because Alabama is a promising
state. but because a suffrage bill Will
20 before its Legislature next January.
The campaign states Of Pennsylva-
MIA. New Jersey, New York and Massa-
chusetts have decided to establish an
interstate committee for exchanging
sneakers and workers and solving COM
mon problems. New Jersey votes on
suffrage at a special election Septem-
Der. 1915. while the other three states
decide il in November. An exchange
Of forces might be very effective
The political policy Of the national
association was decided in several eau
cuscs. There seems TO be general
feeling that the questions of non-par..
tisanship and of the black listing Of
politicians should be more definitely
settled. The difference between pub
fishing mans voting or political
record and campaigning actively
against his reelection TO pubic once
is agitating many of the women. rms
point will probably be decided on the
floor of the convention tomorrow.
An effort was made TO amend the
constitution by inserting clause that
any president who had served for two
consecutive years should not be
eligible for reelection. but this was
promptly voted down. However, there
is a strong undercurrent of dissatis-
faction with existing conditions. AZ
present all the officers are elected an
nuallv. A great deal of the time and
interest of every convention IS alb
sorbed bv consideration Of candidates,
to the exclusion of questions OF policy
and principles. A four years term Tor
president. three years for vlce-presl-
dent and shorter periods for other Of
ficers have been suggested.
Many proposals barring re-electlons
have been made. In one caucus to-day
il was. however. decided that elections
of all officers should be for a term oil
two years with no restriction as TO re-
election. If there Is any change, TINS
will probably be adopted and every
second convention can give its full at
tention to constructive work. Inc
minority party, known as the anti-ad-
n
hard in the last few hours before the
elections tomorrow morning. Under
the door Of each delegate has been
slipped tonight a leahet entitled
Facts concerning certain candidates
fof the national board"
The leahet advocates Miss Jean Cor
don. of Louisiana, for first vice-presl-
dent: Miss Anne Martin, of Nevada,
for recording secretary, and Miss LoAa
Gale. Of Wisconsin, for second auditor.
The minority party has been making
strong plea for representation on the
national board. This party opposes
the Shafroth amendment and IS some
what sympathetic with the policy OF
using the votes women already have
against any political party IN power at
Washington which obstructs suffrage
legislation. This faction believes that
the candidates named IN the leafiet
should be on the board to represent
their views and their spirit.
This afternoon there was another
great mass meeting at Ryman's Audi
torium. The big hall was crowded
beyond its proper capacity. Miss Jane
Addams pointed out that women's ac-
tivities started many charitable enter
prises and conducted them until they
became so successful that they were
taken over by the government. Then
women were considered no longer capa-
bic Of even helping.
The other speeches of the afternoon
all turned on the war and the terribl =
burdens always thrust upon women by
war.