South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-16
Says Much Disputed Session
of Progress Body Was
Marked by Order and
DeC0rum.
THIRTY MEMBERS HAND
IN THEIR RESERVATIONS
Listen to Evidence Placed Be-
fore Board and Report
on Result of the
Meeting.
BY Mrs. Lafayette LeNan.

The p years of hard self-denying
work in the Progress club to estab-
! lish a club where all women that
wished 10 have club fellowship were
admitted is being broken down. AS
La charter member and one who has
worked for the clubs interests in its
social welfare work in South Bend.
| having in its existence organized free
+, kindergartens, fOstered domestic
science. established the Associated
| Charities, were instrumental in get
ting the first Jail matron, carried on
the flower work which has later de-
VelOped into the present school gar
dens and has stood ready 10 help in
any reform for the betterment of
our city. ] want to state facts of
| the meeting that was held in the
| club rooms on May 18th. that the
fear OF secret service men lurking
in ambush and prO-German steam
rollers crushing helpless club women
may be dispelled in the public mind
and the many friends of the club
has won in its long life, both men
and women.
| listened attentively 20 the pro-
| ceedings, but took no part in the
discussion | was impressed by the
intelligence. the force. the self-con-
troll. and patriotic sentiments which
characterized all its features. I sat
/ in the front Of the room and faced
the entire audience most of the
time Mrs. w. w. Funk. of 9O6
| Golden av., presented a resolution
| for adoption from the minority OF
the board members. Mrs. Funk was
recognized by the chair and a vote
was taken on the resolution and lost.
No One Shouted.
No one shouted II will he heard
or commanded Women. hear me-"
There was no attempt on the part
of the chair to suppress individual
liberty. Each speaker was accord
ed a respectful, interested hearing
| Once. only. was an attempt 10 speak
pronounced out of order.
Then the lady arose, proposed
resolutions. before the result of a
7, vote had been announced.
Gets the Floor.
Immediately after the announce
ment was made. she was given the
floor and presented her resolution
and was accorded an uninterrupted
hearing. and no discrimination was
shown by the chair toward any
member. The only noise and con-
fusion was due 10 the storm Of APP
pIause which greeted the strong eX-
pressions Of loyalty. patriotism
made by the different speakers. Nc
threats Of resignation were made to-
ward anybody. and only one person
offered 10 resign.
Conduct n Probe.
The board at a special meeting
on Thursday had investigated the
sensational charges. examined wit
nesscs, and taken steps 10 learn the
Truth. The alleged disloyal remarks
were made, il seems. not in the club
meeting. but at a social gathering
Of club ladies and guests in the
| Nicholson Inn The testimony
brought out the fact that nothing
treasona BILE had been said; that what
had been quoted as fact was un.
substantiated rumor; that the refer
ence 10 the flag had been as criticism
OF American patriotism in general
the meaning OF the flag symbol out
side without bearing the real thing
! in the heart; and, the most drastic
/ utterance had been a challenge as
10 the veracity Of Mr.. Gerard
After getting together all evidence
the board presented resolutions re-
GREETING the offense and affirming
anew the loyNty OF the club TO the
American government This resolu-
ton had passed without dissenting
vote at the special meeting OF the
board. but was not deemed drastic
enough by some OF the members
who came with a substitute resolu-
ton asking for the resignation OF
the two members who had been &C
cused OF disloyal utterances. These
resolutions were presented and dis
cussed at length.
In view or the fact that the evi-
dence was insufficient and the fed
eraI officer had given his opinion