The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-07
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN
Jeanette Rankin Pledges
Her Best to Wornen's Cause
Breakfast Given. Montana Congresswoman and Scenes
Following Her Formal Entry to House of
Representatives Impressive.

sincerity or ability. bound the 10
women who told of the sterling worth
of the feminine legislator.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait of New
York society and suffrage leader, paid
high tribute to the woman they were
there to honor.
THE day of our deiverance it 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
Washington. Miss Paul expressed
confidence that from now on the cause
of woman's suffrage would gain rap
idly with Miss Rankin as leader.
Mrs. NJ. Clark, suffrage leader of
Boston. next arose. to speak for a
minute only.
| Il only want to express my happi-
ness, and the happiness of those l left
in Boston, for this day, and our high
hope of the results that are to come
from THE Honorable Jeanette Ran
kin.
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
suffragists had given up the fight
Miss Todd as followed by Miss Anne
Martin Of Nevada, who predicted that
the day of woman's political power
was at hand. and Mrs. James Lees
I.aidlaw of New York, who said she
had only arisen to shout hurrah for
Jeanette Rankin"
Urges Child Labor Laws.
Now that we have a pull in con
gress. there is no telling what we will
accomplish" said Julia. Lathrop.
Miss Lathrop expressed confidence
that Miss Rankin would take up the
cause of the child labor reform and
! help enact beneficial legislation for
the nations 10000, 900 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
| ISOLATION. There Miss Rankin made a
| brief speech. thanking every one pres
ent for their interest in her. and as
surfing them of her desire to do the
best she could for the cause of wom-
ans suffrage in her new position.
From suffrage headquarters Miss
Rankin was escorted to her office in
the House Office building by a score
of flag draped automobiles carrying
suffrage leaders representing almost
every state in the Union.
| On the back of the car carrying
Miss Rankin and Mrs. Carrie Chap
man was a huge banner, with Mon
tana' in great black letters. Small
flags on the side bore the names Of
North and South Dakota.
| Crowds of persons on Pennsylvania
avenue hurrying toward the Hill
recognized the Lady from Montana"
as the ears swept past They cheercd
and the new congresswoman was no.
ticeably touched at the expressions Of
regard.
Camera Men Busy.
! Instead of going direct to the House
Office building. the cortcge circled the
plaza. in front of the capitol and
stopped near the south steps. while
dozens of motion picture and news
paper photographers snapped" Miss
! r., mi. in J,n,, - to anti ;y,1 C,,
the first time as a representative.
| Only a few persons recognized Miss
| Rankin when she arrived at the House
Office building. She was almost lost
in Il maze of faShionably eowned
women who throngcd the lobby and
the distinguished first woman to con-
gress looked no different from the
rest.
When she entered her office she
found awaiting her n mammoth bou-
auet bearing the card of the W. c. r.
L. shortly after another bouquet,
equally large. was brought in by the
National Womans party.
Crowd 6esieses Her.
Before she could take off her gloves,
Miss Rankin was surrounded by dele
cations of school girls. pacifists. anti
pacifists. and others. all anxious to
shake hands with the first congress
woman.
| Before she could leave her office to
go to the capitol Miss Rankin was be-
sIegcd by people who wanted her to
sign autograph books. Others wanted
her to carry part of their bouquets as
she was sworn in. To the best Of her
ability. Miss Rankin pleased them all
''Will YOU sign this, please" can
YOU get me Il ticket of admission for
, this morning." How well YOU look. -
Let me congratulate you" Il wish
you all kinds of success" These and
other CALCULATIONS met Miss Rankin
/ whichever way she might turn, and it
is no wonder that she threw up her
t hands and said:
"Oh. I'm getting flustered,"