The Washington herald., 1917-04-02
MISS RANKIN IN Line
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

tended by Miss Rankin as well as her
Miss Belle Fligelman, both of whom are
from Montana Formalities were missing
and this open-door reception character
ICES In no small degree Miss Rankin's s
frankness and congeniality.
Miss Rankin's handshake was feminine
In form but decidedly masculine in grip.
OF average stature and slender. one was
surprised at the vigor of her clasp which
typifed her general actions. Her office
showed signs Of hurried activity. Books
and papers were not in their proper posi-
ton for Miss Rankin arrived in WASH
ington only yesterday afternoon and she
had very little time to straighten out
her effects
just q Feminine Touch.
A large bouquet of American Beauty
roses stood on her desk which lent a
feminine touch to the otherwise mascu-
line surroundings. However, Miss Ran
kin is not going to be a feminine Con-
gresswoman. Sc is going to be men,
Der of Congress. She said so herself.
Newspaper men told Miss Rankin that
a decidedly masculine etiquette prevailed
in the House, and asked II she would
object to smoking or perhaps the remoV-
ing of coats in a heated session.
1.-The majority will rule she replied.
But you will be in the minority" Miss
Rankin was informed.
We'll. l will not be a Congresswoman
but a member OF Congress-" was her
quick reply.
Miss Rankin evaded the question as to
whether she was opposed to smoking.
She also cleverly evaded questions per-
tanning to the international situation as
ha hnE -
self a rare diplomat in this respect
Miss Rankin finally answered one ques-
tion directly
What committees will you serve on,
Miss Rankin"
Il don't know, but know what COM
mittee I would like to be on"
Miss Rankin did not continue further
until she was asked the logical question,
What committee?"
She answered that she would like to
serve on the suffrage committee. There
Is no such committee in the House at
present, but Miss Rankin no doubt will
bend efforts for the creation Of a distinct
committee on suffrage. She declared that
she would introduce the Susan B. Az
thopy amendment, providing for national
suffrage. "at the most opportune time.
Smile Greets Questioner..
She declared also that she would sup
port any bill dealing with child welfare.
which was strong plank OF her cam
paigning platform
Miss Rankin said that she had much
to learn and that she would say little
until she was acquainted with the inS
and outs Of the House.
During the interview Miss Rankin al
ways smiled. It is a very attract ctive smile,
and the newspapermen seemed loathe to
leave because OF her entertaining man.
ner.
'Good-evening, come again." was Miss
Rankin's farewell which was accom-
panied with another sincere handshake.
The newspapermen filed down the cor
ridors Of the House ONCE Building and
passed several Representatives who
stopped and gazed rather enviously to-
ward Miss Rankins offices.
Miss Rankin arrived in Washington ac-
companied by her brother Wellington D.
Rankin. They have taken up apartments
at the st. Nicholas, in California street,
where their mother was already staying
When she came to her apartments stacks
of congratulatory letters and kilograms
were awaiting her. Such messages like
wise greeted her when she went to her
Offices
No time will be lost in introducing Miss
Rankin to Washington, and her social
calendar no doubt will be as crowded as
her Congressional calendar will be.
First Warrington Speech.
Miss Rankin will make her first ad-
dress to the Washington public from the
balcony of the National American wom-
an Suffrage Headquarters, 1926 Rhode
Island avenue northwest. at 10 O'Clock
this morning. JUS before driving to the
Capitol to take her seat in Congress.
Hundreds of out-of-town women came
to Washington to greet the first rep
resentative OF their sex in Congress, and
to celebrate today's historic event ,
After a few brief words OF greeting
from the balcony, the Lady from Mon
tana' will drive to the Capitol accom-
panied by Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait
president of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association; Mrs. Maud
Wood Park, national congressional chair
man; Mrs Helen Gardener, of the con-
Sressional committee of the National AS
ISOLATION, and Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw,
vice chairman of the New York State
Woman Suffrage Party. \ hundred or
more prominent suffrngists will follow
American flag and the suffrage yellow
and white. The entire party will enter
the Capitol grounds and upon leaving
their cars. mount the long flight Of ste ps
into the building. Mrs. Gait and Mrs.
Park viii accompany Miss Rankin to
the door of the House, and then take
their seats IN the gallery, Mrs. Gait
on the Speakers bench as his special