New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-06
Excitement and Turmoil in
WOmen's Election and
Convention.
ANTI-SUFFRAGlST
JEERED TO SILENCE
Near-Riot Comes When One
Member Seeks to Have
Wilson lndorsed.

but il wasn't far 10 Donegal Fair yes
terday. There was perfectly good
one al the Hotel Aston, when the New
York Federation Of Womens Clubs met
TO elect officers. The trouble was that
some Of the women cheated. They just
couldn't be honest. The repeater"
system was in full swing.
President Wilson was booed and
Kissed. Mrs. Simon Baruch got jeers
when she tried to champion anti-suf-
frage For a time Miss Florence
Guernsey, the chairman. looked as II
she thought seriously Of calling the re-
serves TO quell the disturbance. No ar
rest was made, however, and after ad-
justing their hats and powdering their
noses the women departed.
The session opened 81 10 o'clock.
The main meeting was in the grand
ballroom on the first floor, while a
dressing room adjoining was fitted up
as polling place.
Had il not been for the business
meeting all might have been well. Az
II was, the proceedings held up the
voting, and when the session was called
of TO permit balloting the delegates
charged the polling booths en- masse.
Soon il was solid with dsgusted hu-
manity.
Scandal Stops Voting.
Up from this mob there suddenly
arose the cry of "Repeatersl" The
doors to the dressing room were locked,
and Mrs. David Mason, mounting guard
outside, made herself heard above the
din.
We've had 70 lock the doors" she
announced, because there has been so
much dishonesty"
Something like a hush fell on the
crowd in the corridor. and Mrs. Mason
took advantage OF il to continue:
Until the ladies learn TO be honest
the doors will be closed"
Delegates and their friends rushed
about discussing the scandal. For ten
minutes or so the doors remained
locked. Then, the ladies apparently
having become honest again, the poll
ing place bars were taken down and
voting proceeded.
II was reported that the trouble
arose when delegates and their alter
mates. each unmndful of the others
presence, insisted on voting. Several
instances Of downright repeating 1t
was said. were detected. After the
voting Mrs. John Fowler Trowbridge
mounted the platform and explained
that "the ladies didn't mean 20 be dis
honest"
Dove is Badly Scared.
The peace dove was peeking down
from the rafters when Mrs. Anita
Comfort Brooks, president Of the
Gotham Club. drove the bird TO cover
again. She moved that Central PARK
be renamed Woodrow Wilson Park
in recognition OF the Presidents wise
and far-seeing craftsmanship" Kisses,
laughter, boos and cheers arose from
all parts of the ballroom. Miss Guern-
sey swung her gavel msnfully, but TO
no purpose. Mrs. David Welsh finally
made herself heard, expressing her
SHANE and disgust" that the name Of
the President should be so received.
Mrs. Welsh would have been unable
TO get a hearing at all had not Mrs.
John r. Crosby, Of the National Demo-
cratic Club. insisted that she be al
lowed to speak. The disorder ceased
and Miss Guernsey got on cheers
when she announced that she would
not permit Mrs. Brooks's resolution to
be acted on at all.
The next spssm came when Mrs.
Barucn lduHCneU out OH Htl duI.
suffrage speech. The point which
made the greatest appeal to her hear
ers was that man had invented the
vacuum cleaner and most every other
household labor saving device, so why
butt in?" Her opponent in the debate
was Mrs. Frederick Mason. Mrs.
Baruch stuck 10 her guns until the
laughter Of her audience drove her 70
silence.
Wants Girls Sentence PrObed.
The federation passed resolution
demanding an investigation OF the
case Of fourteen ear-old Marguerite
Murtha, who was sent to the House OF
Mercy for seven years while her be-
trayer was allowed to go free. The
resolution was introduced by Mrs.
Walston Hill Brown. president Of the
International Child Welfare League.
Plans were announced for 100000
hotel for working girls, in which it is
proposed every New York clubwoman
shall become a stakeholder.
officers elected yesterday are:
President, Mrs. Eugene j. Grant, or
Brooklyn; first vice-president, Mrs.
Thomas Slack; second vice-president,
Mrs. Elmer Black; recording secre-
tary. Mrs. Harry Lilly; corresponding
secretary, Mrs. Henry Hamilton;
treasurer. Mrs. John II. Parks; libra
rian, Harriet Holt Dey.
Yesterdays big contest. which is
supposed 20 have precipitated the IRE.
~ -. ka.uaop Mrs Rlark and