New-York tribune., 1919-06-09
Four Legislatures to Take
\ Up Measure at Once, With
Favorable Vote Forecasts.
Work for 1920 Ballot
Kansans Meet Specially
Governors From All Sec.
tions of Nation Predict
Success of Amendment
WGshindto11 Bureau

WAOn1NN1ON June o.-lno leglS-
latures Of four states-Illinois, Michi-
gan, Massachusetts and Kansas-will
act on the Federal woman suffrage
amendment this week.
The race for the honor to be the
first to ratify lies among Illinois,
Massachusetts and Michigan.
The Governors of twenty states have
indicated, in signed statements se-
cured in canvass by The Tribune,
that their states will take up the ques-
tion and ratify it promptly at the first
meeting Of the Legislature. Only two
state executives said there states
would probably refuse to ratify.
Only one Legislature-Kansae-so
far as has definitely determined to
meet in special session solely to ratify
the amendment. The Kansas legislators
have set an example of gallantry to the
woman's cause by accepting the sugges-
tion of Governor Henry ]. Allen to
meet for a single days session on
Saturday, for ratifying the amendment
They will waive salary and mileage, in
token of their devotion to the cause.
Sessions Within Year
The following regular and special
sessions are already scheduled for this
year or early next:
Ohio-Has convened for an in.
definite period. Michigan-Extra ses-
sion convenes Tuesday. Texas-Extra
session convenes June 23-Georgia-
Convenes June 26. Alabama-Meets ir
July. Louisiana-Possibility of ses
sion before September. New Jersey
Rumor there will be extra session soon
Maine-Special session in October
Iowa-Special session in January. Ken.
tucky-Meets in January. South Caro-.
lina-Meets in January. Mississippi
Meets in January. Virginia-Meets ir
February. Maryland-Meets some time
in 1920.
An appeal to the Governors of the
twenty-eight states where women have
full or Presidential suffrage to cal
special sessions of their legislatures
to ratify the amendment was sent by
Miss Maud Younger, lobby chairman
of the National Woman's Party, to.
day.
A gold star will be placed in the
white bar of the National Woman's
Party tri-color banner when the first
state ratifes. A purple star will rep
resent the second state. Gold ane
purple stars will alternate thereafts,
until thirty-six state legislatures have
ratified.
Count on Michigan First
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, presiden
of the National American Woman Suf
frage Association, apparently is count
ing on Michigan to be first to ratify
for she has sent the following tele
gram to Governor Sleeper:
"Hurrah for Michigan! 1t will b.
the first state to ratify the Fedora
woman suffrage amendment, unless II
linois gets ahead"
Michigan's Legislature does not con
vene until Tuesday, however, Will,
that of Illinois is already in session
and that of Massachusetts meets to
morrow.
Although Massachusetts is not
suffrage state, it probably will ratif,
the amendment, according to a telc
gram from Governor Calvin Coolidg
to The Tribune, "almost at once an,
with very little opposition"
Responses from other states show
that the amendment will undoubtedly
be ratified in 1921, although some show
no present inclination to call specia
sessions, so that thirty-six, the neces
sary three-fourths Of the states, ma,
have ratified before the Presidential
elections of 1920. 1t Is toward thes,
states that the energies of the suf
frage ratification committees will b.
directed, With the example of Kansa.
in holding a special session withou
expense to the state, the suffrage states
like Wyoming and Nevada, which ar,
hesitating, are expected to revise thei
plans.
What States Will Do
Following are the replies received
from the Governors Of the states ask
ing for a statement in regard to the
prospects for ratification before the
Presidential election of 1920:
Governor Sleeper, Michigan:
"Have wired Secretary of State t,
hasten certified copy Of suffrag,
amendment, and am advised it is O,
the way here. The Legislature viii
meet on Tuesday and will undoubtedly
at once ratify."
Governor Coolidge, Massachusetts,:
"The suffrage amendment will be
transmitted to the General Court or
Monday. Without knowing what the
plans Of the members are my judgment
is that it will be ratified almost al
once and with very little opposition.
Governor Allen, Kansas:
"That tho Kansas Legislature will
ratify on June IA national equal suf-
frage amendment is not subject tc
much doubt. First responses to the
poll now under way are practically
unanimous in favor Of an extra session
which will consider this subject only
and complete its work in one day
Kansas legislators are making a vol
untGry offering to the suffrage cause
by waving salary and mileage Incl
dent to the special session that it may
not be open to criticism on the score
Of expense, Kansas believes that won.
en- have demonstrated that society will
be bettercd and government strength.
ened by their full participation in it.
conduct"
Governor Hobby, Texas;
ut is planned by the Texas Equal
Suffrage Association to urge the Legis-
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