Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-11-19
MRS. HEATH WILL
EXPLAIN ALL To
THE HOUSEWIVES
National Leader Invites Local
Insurgents to Inspect
Books.
TURNS INVESTIGATION
INTO A PICNIC PARTY
Volcanic Session at Y. w. C. A.
Closes With Everything Ap-
parentIy Lovely.
TURNS INVESTIGATION
INTO A PICNIC PARTY

1t ended just as I knew it would.
was the compIacent comment of Mrs.
Julian Heath, of New York, president
of the National Housewives League.
to a group of reporters who swaIsned
around her yesterday afternoon at the
close of one of the most volcanic ses-
sions the Housewives League has ever
known. II knew that just as soon as
l was given an opportunity to explain
the matter to these good women
everything would be adjusted amic-
ably. Some of the New Jersey women
did not understand things, that is ali" !"
Mrs. Heath came here yesterday to
attend meeting of leaders OF the
New Jersey branch of the organiza-
tion. some of whom had criticised
methods of the national president.
The session in the Young Women's
Christian Association building here
was volcanic. Mrs. Heath's reference
afterward to an "amicable adjust
ment" was in relation to a special
meeting to be held at national head
quarters, % West Forty-fifth street,
New York, on December g. By her
special invitation she win then go
over with all the delegates of the New
Jersey constitutional convention and
any other New Jersey members of the
League who may desire the constitu-
tion OF the National Housewives
League. access to which has been the
chief bone OF contention among the
New Jersey members.
An Updercurrent.
OutwardIy this graciousness Of the
national president, whereby she has
succeeded in turning an investigation
into panic, was received with every
sign of reconciliation by a majority
of the members present yesterday
afternoon, but beneath the surface
ran an undercurrent of distrust and
dissatisfaction.
The dissatisfaction had been aired
openly by the officers of the New Jer-
sey branch in a manner to leave no
doubt In the minds OF those present
that Mrs. Heath would have to do a
great deal more than chatter amiably
about the national constitution at an
indoor picnic before the st-growing
crop OF pertinent questions is dis
posed Of
Among the points which the New Jer-
sfy insurgents ara particularly anxr
fous to have explained Is why no ac-
counting has ever been made by the
national executive ccEnmittee, why
the annual meeting required both by
constitution and State law has never
been called; why the New Jersey
members can get no information after
reiterated requests as to how many
members are enrolled in the complete
roster of the National Housewives
League. each branch of which Is as
sessed ten cents member by the
central powers; why they have found
it impossible to ascertain how many
members have paid and are paying
this annual assessment. and why, II
such is the case. there is not more
than $6 in the treasury, as Mrs. Heath
yesterday alleged.
Educational Commitfsse.v
They are also consumed with what
they consider b. legitimate curiosity
to find out Just what are the func-
tions of the educational committee"
which they never heard of as a
separate incorporation. until they set
about trying to get copies of the ma
tionaI constitution, by-laws, articles
of incorporation and other legal docu-
ments, from the State archives in
Albany, after having been refused
certified copies at national head
quarters In fact they allege that
they never have been able to procure
q copy OF the constitution In the State
capitol of New York, and were
obliged to resort to the services of a
lawyer before they could obtain a
certified copy of the national con-
stitution, required by the New Jer-s
sey special committee for comparison
and study before the desired consti-
tuition for the branch in this State
can be properly drawn.
In the course of the investigation
by the committee of three. consisting
of Mrs. Rose Hotchkss Sargent, of
this city; Mrs. Helen e. Marsh, presi-
dent of the Montclair branch, and
Mrs. Edward M. Todd of Millburn
Township, appointed to study the ma
tional constitution of the league, it was
discovered that there are four dis
tinct bodies, all bearing in some form
the designation housewives" These
corporations were reported to be the
National Housewives League, a mem
bership corporation, with headquar-
ters at 45 West Forty-fifth street,
New York city, Incorporated under
laws of the State of New York. The
National Housewives League of New
porated under the laws of New Jer-
sey; the National Housewives
League Educational Committee, a
corporation, incorporated under the
laws of the State of New Jersey, and
the Housewives League Magazine.
which is admitted to be the official
organ of the league and an accepted
advertising medium for pure foods.
Analyzing of Foods.
Disposing of the supposition that
the function of the educational COM
mittee might be to employ chemist
to analyze food products ands pro-
nounce upon their fitness for con-
sumption, Mrs. Chauncy Marsh
asked pointedly what the Federal de-
partment of agriculture is for. Mrs
Heath does not need to pay for lab
oratory analysis and chemists serv-
ices,r declared Mrs. Marsh. Amy in
formation desired concerning pure
foods will be supplied free by the
United States government. If the Ma.
tional Housewives League is a bona
fide national affair. existing, as al
legged, for educational and philan-
thropic purposes solely. and not as a
money making concern, who would
have better right to the services of
the national department OF agricul-
ture than its members7"
At this point Mrs. Marsh and Mrs