New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-07
Kitchin Spells His Coup to
Win Gratitude of
Women
Federal Amendment
Held in Committee
Motion to Adjourn Prevents
c.. o. P. Leader from
Ordering 1t Out
Prom The Tribune Burssul

failed to pull off his suffrage coup to-
day which he had thought would prove
so embarrassing TO the Democrats, but
in his effort he stirred up opposition in
his own party which lieutenants of the
leader admitted had never before been
equalled.
On the other hand, the Democratic
members of the House were chuckling
all the rest of the day over the skill
shown by their floor leader, Claude
Kitchin.
Mr.. Mann decided several days ago
that he would get all the Republican
members in Washington, take the
Democrats by surprise and win the un-
dying gratitude Of the sufragists by
getting the Federal suffrage amendment
out of the Judiciary Committee and
forcing a vote on that measure on the
floor Of the House.
Yesterday Mr. Mann changed his
mind about taking the Democrats by
surprise. Perhaps this was due to his
wish not to play what might be called
a dirty trick. Perhaps he was not so
anxious after all to have his motion TO
discharge the Judiciary Committee
from further consideration of the suf
frage resolution succeed. At all events.
he gave the Democrats notice of what
he intended TO do. and they were on
hand in full force to-day. This did not
bother Mr.. Mann. He smiled amiably
as he thought of forcing his friends on
the Democratic side TO vote for or
against suffrage, a vote either way
having bad effects not only on the po-
litical fortunes of the individual Demo
Gratis, but also complicating tremen-
dously the legislative plans Of the DEM
ocratic leaders.
Mann Gets Ready
As soon as the routine business was
concluded he sprang 10 his feet to
make the motion which would have
precipitated the suffrage vote. The
surragists. warned of what he expected
to happen, thronged the galleries. A
few Confederate veterans who had
squeezed in wondered why so many
"ladies and young g'yrls" were there.
Speaker Clark, however, recognized
Representative Linthicum, OF Baltl-
more, who had a preferential motion to
take up the first bill on the calendar.
Thiy authorizes the spending OF slUU-
600 for the erection Of a monument IN
Washington TO President Buchanan J
whose "watchful waiting policy PRIOR
to the Civil War gave the Coniederates
such a big advantage in the early days
of that struggle.
REPRESENTATIVE Miller. of Minnesota.
made a strong speech against erecting
a monument TO such man.
"If that money is TO be spent II
should be invested in Liberty bonds
he cried. in conclusion. This Con-
gress should devote its attention TO
war measures only
81 agree with the gentleman entirely
and think this Congress should devote
itself entirely 10 war measures, SAID
Democratic Leader Kitchn. 81 there.
fore move the House do now adjourn.
Hoping against hope, Mr.. Mann de-
manded a roll call, which was held re-
sulting in an immediate adjournment
following which par iamentarians de-
clared the prospect Of another opportu-
nity for a vote on suffrage at this ses-
sion of Congress is rather remote.
Coup for kitchin
Seeming 20 oppose only the Buchanan
proposal. Mr.. Kitchin had destroyed
Mr. Mann's coup.
The low grumblngs and mutterings
OF the Republican members against
Mr. Manp's suffrage idea were expect
ed 10 take form at Republican caucus
held Immediately after the session, put
did not materialiZe. Representative
Madden. from Mr.. Mann's State Of Hi
nois. was one Of the leaders of the OPP
position 10 Mr.. Mann. but when he ar
rived in the caucus chamber he found
the caucus had transacted It's business
and adjourned. This was the fate OF
many other indictments. Expecting
long wrangle. they quietly finished
their luncheons. only 20 miss the eau
Gus altogether The conference lasted
just about two minutes. A motion was
made 20 approve the new steering com
mittee. and 10 was adopted without de-
bate
Such coups as that Planned by Mr..
Mann to-day, incidentally, will here
after be planned only by the steering
committee.
In another and more substantial d.
rection. however, the suffrage cause
made more progress to-day.
Suffrage Scores Point
The resolution 20 create a committee
on woman suffrage IN tne nouse, III
troduced by Representative Rakcr, OF
California, and urged by the National
American Woman Suffrage Association,
was ordered reported favorably by the
Rules Committee. The report, which
was made on motion Of Representa-
tive Cantrill, OF Kentucky, provides
for action after the pending war
measures have been disposed Of. The
committee vote was:Ayes- Cantrill, Of
Kentucky; Foster, of Illinois; Len
root. Of Wisconsin; Schail, Of Mime
sofa: Wood, OF Indiana, and Pou, OF
North Carolina. Nays-Garrett, Of
Tennessee; Harrison, Of Mississippi;
Kelly, Of Pennsylvania; Riordan, Of
New York, and Smell, Of New York.
Representative Campbell. Of Kansas,
did not vote. Representative Kelly. of
Pennsylvania, Who is well known as
sufragist, voted against the report be
cauae nc objected 10 the proyiso which
...eciudcd Immediate action.
The establishment Of a special com
nli:tce on woman suffrage was recently
recommended b. President Wilson and
Speaker Clark In response 20 the re-
a1oyt Of Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait,
president Of tho national association.