New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-17
WOMEN LEADERS
DENOUNCE PLANK
Will Continue Fight for
Recognition in the
Constitution.

ST Louis. June 16-Leaders of the
vomen's party and the National Ameri-
can Woman Suffrage Association united
tonight in denouncng as inadequate
the suffrage plank of the Democratic
platform, and declared that they would
resume Immediately their Tight IN Con-
gress for national recognition.
1--WE shall return TO Washington as
quickly as possible" Miss Ann Mar
tin, chairman of the women's party
said. 1--WE are going to give the Demo
cratic Congress one more chance 10
make good before adjournment. II u
does not see fit TO pass constitutional
amendment war will follow.
"Some of the Democratic leaders pre-
tend 10 see a declaration for national
suffrage in the plank they have given
us. do not so interpret it. But we
shall give Congressional leaders every
chance 10 read that Interpretation into
il if they want to. | regard the Demo-
cratic plank weaker than the Republi-
can. The preamble of the latter, at
least. is regarded by some as giving
national Endorsement to suffrage.
Ready to Fight Democrats.
"Thus far we have not worked out
details of our plans for fighting the
Democratic party this fall for we have
hopes that the Congressional leaders
will see the light. But if they continue
to oppose us we will fight them. And
it will be a good fight, too. We have
4000,0 900 women voters, 100000 IN
cash, a good cause. and a determined
spirit. With all of these we cannot
help but win"
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait. president
of the National American Woman Suf--
frage Association, called a special
meeting of the national board and later
issued the following official statement:
mo suffragist who was present at
the convention to-day, could misin-
terpret either the speeches or the &C
tion taken by the Democratic party
In adopting the alleged woman suffrage
plank in its national platform.
Tho Democrats admitted freely In
their speeches that political exigency'
demanded some kind of a suffrage
plank and they thought 10 hoodwink
the women by a tumble of words that
were designed to meet the situation,
but in no sense succeeded.
viii Antagonize Suffragists.
"The so-called suffrage plank, which
they adopted, after bursts of eloquence
that were far more frank than intelli-
gent. cannot be expected to win the
Presidential campaign for them, but it
may well be expected 10 win the antag-
onism of millions of men and women
voters in all parts of the country.
III the plank adopted to-day is the
Presidents choice the world may justly
accuse him of descending TO the tricks of
the cheapest politician in order to bid
for votes by Haunting plank that
may be interpreted in as many ways as
there are people"
Mrs. Gait sent the following tele-
gram TO President Wilson:
"lnasmuch as Governor FERGUSON, of
Texas, and Senator Walsh, of Montana,
made diametrically opposite state
ments in the Democratic convention to-
day, in regard TO your attitude toward
the suffrage plank adopted By the con-
vention. We apply 10 you directly TO
state your position on the plank and
give your precise Interpretation of IT'S
meaning
The nationals will hold another exc
cutive board meeting tomorrow 10 out
line a definite plan of attack on Con-
gress in an effort 20 push through a
~cre.s.tttfora1 zrarIrnar-