Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-30
SUFFRAGISTS ENLIST
IN FIGHT OF CHAMBER
FOR CONVENTION HALL
Leaders of Women Seeking
Ballot Say City's Inter-
ests as Well as Those of
cause" ould Be
Served.

Many prominent Philadelphia suffra-
gists stand ready to Join in the fight for
suitable Convention Hall. Whether
local suffrage organizations will pass
resolutions urging Councils to action is a
question stnl open to conjecture Many
suffragists, however, have declared their
intention of lending at least their moral
support to the campaign being waged by
the Chamber Of Commerce for the prompt
erection Of convention hall on some site
adjacent to the railroad terminals and
hotels
That Philadelphia needs convention
hall all agree. The erection of spacious
and imposing building which would af-
ford suitable housing for many of the
nations national conventions is a mat
ter, they declare, which should interest
Philadelphians both men and women, In
fact, all who have the best interests OF
the city at heart.
Many prominent Phladelphlans and
local business organizations have concen-
trated in an effort TO bring the National
Republican Convention to this city in
1916.
other big conventions are on the slate.
The early construction of the Conven-
tion Hall would furnish an impressive
advertisement of the city's progress
iveness when several thousand advertis-
ing men will assemble in convention
here next summer. Suffraglsts see still
further. Why not erect suitable build
ing to coax to this city the national con-
ventlon of the General Federation OF
womens Clubs, which has more than
100000 members2
Local suffragists declare that the erec-
ton of a Convention Hall Is not only
necessary to the welfare and prestige Of
Philadelphia, but that it will be to the
best interests of the "cause."
The National Suffrage Convention was
held in this city several years ago. Con-
siderable difficulty was experienced then,
suffraglsts say, in finding suitable quaA
ters for their large rally meetings. Many
hundreds had to be turned away from
the Metropolitan Opera House. where
some of the meetings were held.
OBJECTS TO DELAY.
Suffraglsts have followed the Conven-
ton Hall campaign with their usual zeal
They realize that as the matter now
stands 1t is "up to" Councils
Il can't understand the delay" said
Miss Mary Wlnsor president of the
Pennsylvania Limited Equal Suffrage
League. philadelphia certainly needs a
Convention Hall. Philadelphia suffra-
gists should be in favor of it for two
reasons 1t is necessary for the pres
tige and economic interest of the city.
and 1 think 1t will help the cause as
we'll
philadelphia suffraglsts should favor
as do all others who have the welfare
of the city at heart"
Miss Wtnsor spoke of several national
conventions, which, she said. could he
held In Philadelphia If the city had q
suitable Convention Hail. Convention
Hall, she said, should have many COM
mittee rooms. Lack of these, she ex-
planned. has been a serious Inconvenience
at some of the recent National Suffrage
Conventions.
Mrs. NJ c. Morgan. a suffraglst, said:
Convention Hall would mean both
prestige and money to the CITY. am
for any movement which will boost
Philadelphia, and 1t will undoubtedly do
that Suffragists can we'll afford to de-
clare themselves heartily in favor of the
Convention Hall movement which is now
on foot
ALL WOMEN SHOULD AID.
Furthermore, think all Philadelphia
women ought to favor It, They certainly
will If they have the city's interest at
heart. AS for a plan of campaign. can't
see that our opinion will have much
weight with Councils so long as we are
not armed with the ballot. but then we
can at least lend our moral support to
the organizations which are conducting
the fight
big conventions in this city will un-
doubtedly help the cause Men come
from all over tho country. Men from the
| suffrage States will mingle with Phila-
delphians and undoubtedly refute some
of the foolish arguments heard against
equal suffrage. 1t is true that Phila-
delphia certainly has, as yet, no suitable
place TO hold big national conventions"
Miss Mary III. lngham, vice president
of the Equal Franchise Society of Phila-
delphia, said that a Convention Hall
would undoubtedly be good thing.
philadelphia is greatly reverenced
throughout the country for historic, II
not political, reasons" she said. II
would like to see the National Progress
sive Convention held here