The Washington times., 1915-06-11
Congressional Union and Ma.
tional Association at Odds
Over Conflicting Opinions.
SITUATION GROWS ACUTE
Membership In Both Bodies
Likely to Bring "0usting' Or
ders in November.

The National American Woman Suf-
Irage Association, which in its recent
conference at Chicago formally declared
var upon "a new militant organization
which enjoys autocratic leadership ana
philosophic responsibility to the sur-
trage movements in the various states,'
otherwise known as the Congressional
Union, has put hundreds OF suffragists
who have hitherto generously belonged
to both associations in a quandary.
The Congressional Union affairs that
mo action has been taken between the
organizations"
Must Determine Alliance.
"Washington suffragists who belong
10 both the National Association and
the Congressional Union will be asked
to state, and decide once and for all.
whether or not they will ally them
selves with the nonpartisan policy Of
the National Association or the anti
party policy Of the Congressional
Union" said Mrs: Raymond Morgan,
ecmmittee Of the National American
Womans Suffrage Association, today.
War was declared by the union on tho
National Association, according to
pamphlet intended only for private dis
states the case Of the National Associa-
tion.
'The time has come for suffragists to
know the fundamental difference be-
tween an autocratic organization with
self-appointed leaders" continued Mrs.
Morgan, and the democratic organi-
zatiop, with elected leaders and a yearly
conference.
get out. for the executive council of the
conference recommended and has not
yet ruled that members affiliate them
selves with one organization or the
other.
Expect Definite Ruling.
The actual 'ousting' of members who
inconsistently and inadvisedly belong to
both organizations Is entirely in the
hands of the State organizations. and
through their power only will decisions
be made. In November, however. there
may be definite ruling made by the
national association which win debar
members of the Congressional Union.
1.-THE policy Of the Congressional Union
Is the anti-party policy. as opposed to
tho nonpartisan policy of the national
association. Mrs Pankhurst, when here
some time ago, defined militancy as OPP
posing the party in power, which Is
ets wsh ssson the RSey Of Of tse the sare unG
cause in various States caused the
break which has been expected ever
since the formation of the Congress
sional Union. The National Association
gressional Union in the States where
campaigns are now going on, believing
that any attempt to distract the at
tention Of the voter from a decision in
November to a Federal amendment will
hurt the cause.
Asked TO Drop Work.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, leader of
che National Association forces in New
York State. sent letter to Miss Alice
Paul, of the Congressional Union, ask
ing her to withdraw from New York
State while the National Association
was conducting its campaign.
At Congressional Union Headquarters
today this was affirmed.
,roM miss M,. Paul t+ did d., 8, get , such letter
but It was not an official letter from
the National Association. and more in
tne ti,, nature OF q personal communica-
ilon; we do not think that our work
that State. If we did we would stop it.
IN answer to the letter of Mrs. Gait,
MISS Paul said that she would not or
game in any of the States in which
mas not We do not think that speeches
and educational work hurts the cause,
and have kept that up. We have every
right to have a headquarters in New
hork such as every national organiza-
tlon of any kind whatsoever"
Situation Acute.
Mrs. Raymond Morgan, of the Con-
gressional committee of the national
Association, admitted also that a letter
mad been sent and received by Miss
faul, but declared that although prom
ise had been made not to organize, that
1t was merely being carried out tech
nlcally, and that although formal or
ganizaton and election Of members and
otncers might not take place until after
november, active campaigning and
work was being done by the Unionists.
This state of affairs in New York is
the acute situation suffrage faces in
every campaign State where there are
both suffrage organizations.
Wed Six Months