The Washington times., 1917-04-02
PLEDGE IS MADE
BY MISS RANKIN
First congresswoman, Honor
Guest at Breakfast, Prom
ises to Do Her Best.
Il CONTINUED from First Page.)

T.. lses to Do Her Best.
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of womanhood throughout the ma.
tion.
The toastmistress introduced her
she arose, and as she did so, chairs
were pushed back and the simple
tribute of the entire assembIage
standing was accorded her. AS the
handclapping ceased aed the others
sat down, the slim figure in black
chiffon was left outlined against the
bank of flowers, in front of a huge
mantel
A black straw sailor hat. a mod
erateiy low black chiffon gown, with
high neck In the back, three-quarter-
length sleeves, all made over white
sllk-this was the costume Miss Ran
kin had chosen to wear on her first
public appearance in the Capital
She seemed very brave as she egan,
and her black-lashed blue yes spark
led as she spoke. AS everybody
strained forward to hear her, she be-
gan in moderately low-pitched voice.
easily heard in the dead silence of the
room. to outlins her ideals and inten-
tions
But IT was too much.
Smiles With 7ears Near.
The color left her face. an, as she
flashed a brave little smile around the
room the tenseness of her lips was
noticeable.
convulsive swallow. and she be-
gan-'have heard all the things
which have been said. and 1 promise
L promise"
as suddenly as she had begun, then
sat down abruptly, biting her lips, and
gazing iXedly at the table.
For a moment there was silence.
The reputation of woman suffrag-
lists as being above Sentimental sniff
fling" hung in the balance. The faces
Of the women were seen to twitch.
and many a woman lowered her head
and stared fixedly at her plate. Manv
a woman who before had been only
lukewarm in her praise of the Con-
gresswoman from Montana now felt
her heart go out in sympathy - The
little figure in black. sitting there
with her head in her hands One
could almost trace the brain workings
OF the guests.
Two Factions Reunited.
Here was the first material recog-
milton of the work of more than half
century; the first promise OF unre-
stricted loyalty in the governing body
OF the nation; the elimination of
whole lifetimes of speechmal-ing and
street pleading; and the first time in
four years that the two bodies of suf-
fragists were united.
And then-there were no tears, no
cheers, for one could not trust to
the voice-the applause which unbur-
dened every happy heart in that as
eemblage of women, who wanted to
cry but didn't dare, burst out in hand
clapping to- reward the best and
the Poorest speech OF the morning.
The women had come from all
parts Of the United States to do honor
TO Miss Rankin on the eventfuI morn
ing: Women who had campaigned
with the new congresswoman in Cal
ifornia; women who had fought with
her in Montana, and women who had
never even seen her, all came to-
gether to pay tribute to the little
woman who came out of the West"
And tribute they did pay. Only
lack of time, and no lack Of belief
in her sincerity or ability. bound the
ten women who told of the sterling
worth of the feminine legislator:
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, of New
AOihs SONlGNg pdlu
high tribute to the woman they were
there to honor.
The day of our deliverance is at
hand" said Mrs. Gait. And l know.
and we all know. that this deliver
ance is to be at the hand of a woman"
Tribute to Miss Paul.
As Miss Alice Paul arose to speak
everyone in the room arose as a silent
tribute to the energy with which Miss
Paul had directed suffrage work in
Washington. Miss Paul expressed
confidence that from now on the cause
of womsn's suffrage would gain rap
idly with Miss Rankin as leader.
Mrs. NJ. Clark. a suffrage leader of
Boston, next arose, to speak for a
minute only.
81 only want to express my happi-
ness. and the happiness of those left
in Boston. for this day. and our high |
hope of the results that are to come |
from the Honorable Jeanette Rankin"
Miss Helen Todd, of California, told |
how Miss Rankin had saved the day |
for the women in California, how she |
had worked day after day when other |
sU''-aEists had given up the fight.
Miss Todd was followed by Miss |
Anne Martin. OF Nevada. who predict |
ed that the day OF woman's political |
power was at hand, and Mrs. James |
Lees Laidlaw, OF New York, who said /
she had only arisen to shout hurrah |
for jeanette Rankin"
Urges Child Labor Laws.
''Sow that We have a pull in Con-
Eress, there is no telling what we will |
accomplish" saiS Miss Julia Lathrop. |
Miss Lathrop expressed confidence |
that Miss Rankin would take ND the
cause Of the child labor reform and
help enact beneficial legisla tion for
the NATIONS 50.O0O.O0O children.
At the conclusion Of the breakfast
the party split up. some going direct
TO the Capitol and others accompany
ing Miss Rankin to headquarters of
the National American Suffrage As
sociation. There Miss Rankin made a
brief speech. thanking every one pres
ent for their interest in her and as
suring them Of her desire to do the
best she could for the cause OF WON
ans suffrage in her new position.
From suffrage headquarters Miss
Rankin was escorted to her office in
the House Office Building by a score