The Washington times., 1917-07-20
SETBACKNET
RESULT FROM
P|CKETING Of
SUFFRAG|STS
Neither President Nor Congress
viii Be Forced Into Action on
Amendment While War De-
mands Time.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

by DAVID Law hENO6s
CoopyTiEht, 1911, New York Evening Post Col
Draft excitement and newspaper
extras about it crowded the militant
suffragettes hard in their effort to
gain the attention Of Congress today
for the Federal amendment conse-
quent upon President Wilson's par
don Of the sixteen who were convict
ed for pieketing.
At the same time, the full effect Of
militant tactics on President Wilson's
attitude toward suffrage was dis
closed. He takes the position that
picketing can be resumed so long as
no seditious banners are displayed,
but that 50 far as he is concerned, he
is much too busy with war legislation
to urge the question at this session
Of Congress.
viii Not Be Dragooned.
In other words, while Mr.. Wilson
might have found q way underother
circumstances to stimulate the prog
ress of the Federal amendment, he
cannot now be dragooned into 50 do
ing. Many members of Congress feel
the same way. They may be for suf-
frage, but they will enact no legisla-
ton by coercion.
In Mr.. wilson's refusal to urge upon
Congress the Federal amendment at
this time, the suffragettes undoubt-
ali ~ GnN haa A nall
gress, It had been presumed, would
be made with the Presidents sane
ton. But he is taking no part In the
controversy whatsoever. II Congress
decides to approve by a two-thirds
vote q Federal amendment submit
ting to the States the question of
granting women the right to vote,
Mr.. Wilson will help the measure
along toward ultimate adoption.
But he does not think II wise to
interject the suffrage issue. q purely
domestic matter, at q time when the
energies Of the Congress and the
country should be concentrated on
war problems,
Can't Lose By Delay.
Even II the Federal amendment
passed CongreGg-which Is now very
doubtful-it would be several years
before the dlfferent States could act
upon II. so the women lose nothing
in the long run II they wait until
the next session Of Congress. II they
do not harrasg the President IN the
meantime, but enlist a larger SYM
pathy for their cause when the sub
Jeet does come before Congress and
the State legislatures.
Many members Of the Administra-
tion, beth in the executive and legis-
Tive branches of the Government
openly declare that while they might
have been favorably disposed toward
suffrage, they will not vote for It IN
Ill the women's organizations show
. better respect for law and order.
4 voted for suffrage last year in
my State" said one OF the highest
officials OF the Government but
when 90 to New York next fall ]
shall not only vote against IT, but
probably viii campaign against It"
Militant Policy Hurts.
In that sense, the militant program
Of the National Woman's Party has
hurt the cause of suffrage, though the
orderly and peaceful attitude Of the
larger organization-the National
american Suffrage Association-may
Ia the end undo much OF the damage
done by emphasizing the fact that
{ My q minority are going to extremes
while the larger number, deyoting
themselves TO war service, are en-
barrassing no one and are deserving
OF the ballot