The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-10
TWO FACTIONS line Up

Continued from Page One)
A. Johnston, has Joined the Harding
forces in the fight to dethrone Mrs.
Monroe. Mrs. Johnston is known in
every section of the state and her in
fluence is known and felt among hun
dreds of club women of Kansas.
Rally to DR.. Harding.
Yet Mrs. Johnston is not the only
influential support in the fight on the
Nernon-MorrOe crowd. Today there
is a report in club circles that a coun-
ell of war was inspired by Mrs. Lucia
O. Case, of Topeka, before the Hard
ing broadside was hurled at Miss Yer
non. In fact it is rumored that Mrs.
Case framed the ground plan for the
campaign and that the battle is being
fought by DR.. Harding with Mrs. Case
as one of the principal advisors. Mrs.
Festus Foster, wife of the state movie
censor, IS also listed in the ranks of
Harding supporters.
These are some of the more impor-
tant factors in the big Women's row
concerning the attitude of President
Wilson toward Kansas suffrage work
ers and the methods of directing the
campign in this state. The fight is
being directed by the women inter-
ested in the affairs of the national
equal suffrage association. They
frankly admit that they regard Miss
Vernon and her congressional union as
rank outsiders and intruders in the
fight for a national suffrage amend
ment. That is one of the bugs under
the chip in the new WomenS fight.
Old Club Fight.
Then there is the old fight between
the Good, Government club and the
Political Science club. When the Good
Government club sought to direct and
dictate affairs in Topeka, the Political
Science club arose in protest. When
the Political Science club outlined a
high minded campaign, the Good Gov
eminent club threw bricks. At least.
those were the stories that came from
some of the women on the inside OF
the fight. All of which gave an eX-
cellent setting for a real eruption
when Miss Vernon started her alleged
campaign to put President Wilson in
a hole" when he came to Kansas.
There were also other features in
the fight. 1t was asserted that many
Kansas women resented the interfer-
ence of outside influence in handling
affairs in this state. Kansas suffrage
workers, they maintained, we're quite
able to direct their own fights and
Miss Vernon and the congressional
union were not met with hands and
banners.
The Frat Handshake.
Then there were other things. 1t
was asserted that Mrs. Monroe gave
Miss Vernon the fraternal handshake
when she arrived in Topeka and inn
the congressional union in desire to
win extra honor and glory 60 herself
and the Good Government club. All
of which aroused the Political Science
club to most bitter hatred.
Next came the revolt, following the
Vernon telegram announcing that
President Wilson had received Kansas
women most discourteously Pressed
for a statement as to lxs~ authority as
to the presidents remargs and action,
Miss Vernon quoted Mrs Monroe.
Now Mrs. Monroe refuses to quote her
authority. In the meantime the fol-
lowers of the Harding faction are
making a poll of those present" They
hope to disprove the quotations most
generously given the president and
Secretary Tumulty That move in
itself has not tended to increase the
feeling of love and fellowship among
Topeka club women.
Just that things might be kept NOV
ing, rumors came from club circles to-
day that Mrs. Monroe was to be made
the center of attack by the Political
Science clu. On the other hand. there
is a report that the Good Government
club is planning to puncture DR.. Eva
Harding's congressional boom So. all
in all, the presidents visit started a
row tina twill keep Kansas and Topeka
club women busy with their own
troubles for many days, and the ma
tional suffrage cause is being forgotten
in the fight to win the local battle.