Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-30
Holds It Essential.

ing it faced defeat if brought to
vote.
Holds It ssntial.
Il regard the concurrence of the
Senate in the COR stitutional amend
ment proposing the extension of the
suffrage to women as vitality essential
to the success of the prosecution of
the great war of humanity in which
we are engaged" said the President
ut is my duty to win the war and
to ask you to remove every obstacle
that stands in the way of winning it."
The President said that there can be
frage question. Both of our great
national parties are pledged, explicit
" pledged, to equality OF suffrage for
the women of the country"
The President gave his reasons for
declaring the suffrage resolution an
essential war measure.
Proof of Sincerity.
This is a peoples war. and the
atmosphere and morale. not the
prediction of the drawing room or
the political considerations of the
caucus. If we be indeed democrats
anu WISH TO lSdO Tic Wofi0 W 0S8hAOS~
racy, we can ask ether people to ac-
oept. in proof of our sincerity and
our ability to lead them wither they
wish to be led. nothing less persuasive
and convincing than our actions.
The women of America are too
noble and too devoted to be slackers,
the President said. Whether they are
given suffrage or not. but it will be
an act of mere justice to give them
the ballot.
Senate in support Of the suffragists
was not made known until this
morning. The suffragists were jubi-
LIANT For months they have appealed
to the President to take this step, de-
claring that if he did he could put
the resolution through.
Ants Are Determined.
The anti-suffragists were grimly
determined. but uneasy. They real
lied the power of the Presidents ap-
peal. His demand that the >resolu-
ton be passed as a war measure
would be hard to resist With the feel
ing running high in the country that
the President must be backed up
in every measure required to- win
the war.
The President spoke to full Senate
and galleries crowded with women,
as the chief executive made his plea.
The antis were represented in the
galleries, as we'll as the suffragists.
When the report that the President
would address the Senate at 1 o'clock
today spread around the city. the
women hurried to the Capitol.
A vote on the resolution may come
today. Leaders on both sides said
they expected it.
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin
appeared on the floor when the Sem
ate met at noon. 1t was his first ap-
pearance in the Senate in eight
months.
The suffra gists last week were
awaiting his return. He is sup
porter of the resolution and was away
impaired.
Chairman Jones of the woman suf-
frage committee was hopeful. but not
positive, that the Presidents assist
ance would result in adoption of the
resolution. He thought the vote might
be taken late today, but possibly may
be postponed until tomorrow, and said
that in any event vote would be
had-that the resolution would not be
set aside without action.
cit is our trump card said Senator
Jones. 'I hope and believe that the
Presidents aid will gain two or three
more-for the resolu-
tien. In any event it will show his
sincere interest in the resolution
Call It Political Move.
Leaders among the opposition de-
clined to express publicly an opinion.
Republican leaders privately declared
the Presidents action largely was
based on partisan political considera-
tions, for the effect possible victory
might have. These senator's stated
that the resolution would be defeated
despite the Presidents effort.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, president
of the National Association for Wom-
an Suffrage. and other leaders of suf-
frage organizations, were hopeful the
Presidents address would cause adop-
tion of the resolution.
1--WE will not admit defeat until the
votes are counted" said Mrs. Gait,
land believe that now the resolution
may be adopted"
Leaders of the woTnen's organiza-
tions and senators active in behalf of
the resolution were busy early today
lining up their forces. A final poll
was taken to learn II Ia any .elta changes ta in
be expected. Chairman Jones, of the
suffrage committee stated that, en-
tering the fight today, the Senate
stood 62 for and 81 against the reso-
luton and that change by only two
resolution. OF those favoring the
resolution on the latest poll 80 are
democrats and SO republicans. with
% democrats and IL republicans
among the opposition.
Shows Great Eanestness.
President Wilson read his address
to the Senate in a manner more ear
nest and conveying moro OF personal
appeal than has characterized many
OF his former addresses to Congress,
AS his words constituted a straight
personal appeal upon his own part.
directed to the senators, 80 did bis ae-
cent and personality support their
Continued on Bsftssnth PaseS =.