Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-11-18
MRS. HEATH HERE,
BUT IS SNUBBED
BY HOUSEWIVES
National Leader Greeted coldIy
at Meeting of New Jer-
sey Members.
SOUGHT INFORMATION.
SHE TELLS CHAIRMAN
Mrs. Yocum, State President,
Declines to Recognize
the Visitor.
SOUGHT INFORMATION.
SHE TELLS CHAIRMAN

time Mrs. Yocum was presiding at a
meeting of committee to formulate a
constitution for the New Jersey
branch Of the organization. She is
the State president.
The meeting was under way with
Mrs. Rose Hutchins Marsh, secretary
Of the committee, relating how she
and the other women were rebuffed at
national headquarters in New York
last week, when Mrs. Heath entered
quietly and took a seat
One of Mrs AIarsh,s rernarks
prompted Mrs Heath to rise and say:
1 Il should like to ask a question for
my information" Mrs. Yocum pre-
tended not to hear.
Mrs. Heath then said: II wish the
privilege" and hesitated when Mrs
Yocum continued to look the other
way.
After a moment Mrs Heath said:
Il am seeking information" This
time Mrs. Yocum turned to her and
said: Pardon me: only delegates
may speak"
This prompted a woman sitting near
MIS- Heath to say; Is not the ma
tional president a delegate ex-offi-
cio?.'
Mrs. Yocnm s only reply was: Mrs.
Marsh has the floor and will pros
ceed." Mrs. Heath then resumed her
seat
The visit of Mrs. Heath here this
afternoon was sequel to strong
criticism that has been made recently
by New Jersey members of the meth
DDS Of conducting the affairs of the
National Housewives League. This
organization has been very prominent
in the pure food agitation through
out the country Recently an in
dorsement of a certain brand OF food
was sent out over the signature OF
Mrs. Heath II also was claimed re-
Gently that manufacturer had of
fered an article of food FOR test BY
the National Housewives League. but
this was turned down unless it was
accompanied by an advertisement in
serted in the magazine publish under
the name Of the Housewives LeagHe.
Mrs. Helen S. |. Marsh, secretary
or the committee appointed at the
annual meeting OF the n. ]. State
Branch of the National Housewives
League, at the opening Of the meet
ing this afternoon explained that the
object Of the appointment of such a
committee was first to ASCERTAIN what
documents were necessary to the
proper fulfillment of the duties of the
National Housewives League.
Upon investigation as to what was
the proper form of procedure to get
such information, the committee was
informed that copies OF the articles
of Incorporation, constitution and by
laws. and other documents should be
procured from the secretary of state
10 f.s.d ,4r - Ter
After spending sI4.90 to get such
certified copies, which expense was
born personally by the committee, or
will be, the incidental travelling ex-
pense, cost of typewriting. etc, they
were informed that these copies ware
not certified copies. and were there
fore useless as legal INSTRUMENTS.
Mrs. Yocum therefore wrote to Mrs.
Heath, sending her inquiry by special
registered mail on November 13. ask
ing for certified copies of the articles
of Incorporation. constitution and by
laws of the four corporations which
the committee had discovered were
affiliations of the league.
No reply was received from Mrs.
Heath until November II, when a
letter bearing her stamped signature,
under typewriter notice. calling
attention to the fact that Mrs. Heath
had been called away before the
letter was written.
The letter said that Mrs. Heath
would be very glad to furnish such
copies as had been asked for, but
could not give the matter her per-
sonal attention.
When the committee then went per-
sonally to the New York headquar-
ters. International president, Miss
Deshler, refused to receive Them, al
though she was present in the room,
and while Miss Fulton, national sec
retary, greeted the delegates. she
stated she had no authority TO repre-
sent Mrs. Heath, or any other Of
ficer and that no officer could repre-
sent any other officer of the league.
At this point in the meeting a mo-
ti0n was made and seconded to ex-
clude the reporters from the room.
The motion was carried, Mrs. Jennie
Cantrell, president of the Newark
branch, stating that there was moth
ing to conceal, She said that it was
the custom in the past to admit the
press, that the league existed for
the public welfare and there was
nothing TO be gained but the public
suspicion by excluding said report
ers now.
To Como Here.
Mrs. Heath last night in New York
announced her intention TO attend the
State meeting of the New Jersey
Housewives League here today to an
swer questions by New Jersey women
who have criticised the administration
of the national organization.
Il want to know what charges are
being made said Mrs. Heath. I'VE
Rave absolutely nothing to hide and
are willing TO answer any inquiry
within reason.
Too much has been accomplished
In the educational movement started
by the National Housewives League
to permit the work 10 be injured by
baseless attacks. There will be more
sympathy for the national officers
when the New jersey women under
stand what has been accomplished In
the face of great obstacles"
The meeting today is a result of
resolutions passed at the State con-
vention OF the New Jersey House,
wives League on October %. The
resolutions urged that special COM
mittee be appointed to make a study
of the national constitution of ths
league, with a view to acting as an
advisory board to the committee
chosen to prepare State constitn-
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