New-York tribune., 1919-02-08
Federation Convention, in
Resolution, Demands That
Designers Use More Goods

A resolution hitting at the bare
women in evening gowns was passed
yesterday at the victory convention of
the New York City Federation Of
Women's Clubs
The resolution called upon design
ers to censor feminine evening raj
ment. There we're few giggles when
Mrs. Olive Stott Gabriel, chairman of
the resolutions committee, proposed the
resolution. But the levity was hushed
when Mrs. James Griswod Wentz,
president of the Women's Republican
Club, said the subject should be given
the most serious thought.
"W omen," said Mrs. Vent, "are
disgracing themselves by appearing
with dress bare as to neck, back and
arms. 1t is, however, the fault of
the designers. If they didn't concoct
these monstrosties women wouldn't
wear them. If the women of this or
ganization took a stand against bare
backs and gowns cut to the waistlne
behind we could do much to see that
women were covered at night. Our
boys are coming back from the front
with higher ideals, and it is not prop
er that they meet girls dressed in the
present indecent fashion,"
Her Sentiments Applauded
The members of the federation ap-
plauded, passed the resolution 'and
then relapsed into an absentminded
inattention.
1',lo
until midnight last night the ballroom
of the Astor, flag draped for the occa-
sion, rang with the enthusiasm OF sew
eral thousand women gathered at the
Victory convention OF the federation.
1t was the forty-eighth convention.
he morning session opened with an
invocation by the Rev. Dr. W. w. Bel
linger and q levelle by Sergeant Major
Edouardina, cornetist of the American
Woman's League for Defence
After greeting by the retiring presi-
dent Of the federation, Mrs. John Fran
els Yawger, and a memorial tribute to
Florence Guernsey. former president Of
the federation, the business of the
meeting began in earnest
Reports of the various committees
we're read by their chairmen, the au-
dlence applauding such sentiments as
an adequate milk supply at nominal
! cost, the New York City Federation
Hotel for Working Girls and the CO.
operation of every individual club in
the federation with the larger and
JOINT organization
Some Important Resolutions
There were resolutions pertaining to
the appointment of woman member
to the Civil Service Commission of the
State of New York; recognition of the
part played by negro women in the
war and an acknowledgment that they
are deserving OF equal opportunities
with white women; the Endorsement of
the creation of adequate market termi-
nal facilities; proposal to cooperate
with DR.. Royal S. Copeland, Health
Commissioner of this city, and an in
dorscment of the Public Safety Com
mittce's efforts to protect subway en-
ployes at the ticket boxes from drafts
injurious to- health.
Among the more important resolu-
tons were regarding the regulation of
the working hours and conditions of
women in industry and one protesting
against trade with Germany.
The women applauded the resolution
| protesting against receiving any and
all German goods of whatever descrip-
tion into this country and entreating
that this country have no commercial
relations with Germany. 1t was passed
with speed and alacrity
Recognition of the part played by
women nurses and canteen workers and
other war participants in the struggle
which brought about ne recent victory
was urged. The rcso ution read:
Whereas, AS it . only Just for the
United States to how some honor to
e heroic worpc who enlisted under
nc War Depar ment for service as
urscs in the nj itary hospitals and for
'anteen. welfa.e and reconstruction
s. ork under tn lpewision of the va
lous war or, - atons, we strongly
urge the Wa cpartment to bestow
! upon women have rendered mill
tary service Il high order medals
and other in ignia of honor. or If pres
ent rules Il bid this we cali upon Con-