Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28
LEAGUE CLAUSE
PLEASES WOMEN
Right to Hold Office Pro.
vision Finds Favor With
Suffragists
NOT WHOLLY SATISFIED
Leaders Contend Privilege of
Ballot Here Is Still Aim\
to Be Achieved

Women suffrage leaders OF Phladel-
phia and vicinity are pleased, but not
satisfied, by the new provision In the
proposed league of nations covenant that
women shall be eligible to serve in of
fees of the league
The suffragists hail 1t as recognition
of their long contention that women
should have a full part in government
but declare It does not grant that fun
part. In interviews today they said that
the provision in the league covenant does
not grant suffrage and leaves women in
the United States as much in need of
the ballot as ever.
Miss Mary Ingham, state chairman Of
the National Woman's party, said
women would not be able to hold office
in the league until they should nave
suffrage at home. Miss Mary Burnham,
vice president of the Equal Franchise
Society and prominent in the National
Woman's party, called the provision a
proper step
Miss Elizabeth McShane, of the Ma
tional Woman's party and one of the
militants who participated in demon
strations in Washington that resulted in
their arrests, said the provision showed
the United States in an awkward posi-
ton.
Doesn't Keep Her. She Says
Women will not be able to hold Of
flee with the league OF nations until they
have suffrage at home" said Miss Ing
ham. "The amendment TO the league Is
evidence that public opinion is for
woman suffrage, and I think that it is
good amendment to have, but ! cannot
see that it has anything to do with the
suffrage situation here in the United
States.
President Wilson has been for suf-
frage for number of years, but he is
always. too late in using his influence
to secure the federal amendment. 1t Is
significant that in his recent appointment
of committees, he has selected women
from suffrage states 1t is evidence that
for international recognition women
must have political recognition at home"
ut is a very proper step" commented
Miss Burnham. The obtaining of the
vote fer women would not materially
affect the government 1t is necessary
for women to take part in legislation
if economic and social conditions are
to be bettered. Womens point of view
along with the mems is necessary to de-
eide the policy In government"
ne lie" dHltUuIlleHl 10 lIle league OF
nations adds prestige to the suffrage
movement but shows up the United
States in an awkward position" said
Miss McShane, recently a member of
the prison special party. Il see no
immediate value to the United States
but it shows a splendid recognition of
suffrage by the most eminent body of
statesmen ever called in an international
conference. As matter of fact the
Peace Conference could not have done
less if it is made up of the sane men
that we believe it to be-
Significant Of Trend Of Opinion
This recognition of women by the
league of nations" said Mrs. Lawrence
Lewis national finance chairman of the
WQman's Party, who is here from Wash
ington, zig significant of the trend of
world opinion of the value of the serv-
ice that women can render. The league
of nations could not have held together
had this act of justice been omitted"
/ Miss Caroline Katzenstein, executive
secretary Of the Pennsylvania branch
of the National Womans party explains
that this provision that offices in the
league be opened to women Is just another
bit of evidence that woman is coming
into her own. This world recognition
!
that the President of the United States
will Immediately call a special session
| of Congress BY passing the Susan b
| Anthony amendment America may thus
| get in line with other progressive ma.
| TONS
Providing that offices of the league o
nations shall be open to women as wei
as men doesn't have thing to do will
suffrage in the opinion of Mrs Frederic
Schoff president of the National Con
gress of Mothers.
Every activity or. organization o
human interest must have the unitet
thought of both men and women behnc
it in order to make it successful" sht
said. II think this newly adopted
amendment giving women chance Il
hold office in the league of nations il
just recognition of human traits. Tt
my mind II has nothing TO do with suf
frage. Women have held office in man.
fields for a good while without its mean
ing that they would have the vote.
TT is only right that the mothers
and sisters of men who have served
women who have given so much to the
war, should have some part in this
great league. 1t shows that the leader.
recognize the fact that the most goot
may be accomplished by a combining O
/ mems ana WomenS MINDS
Must Get Vote Here First
Until women get the vote in thu
| United States. we cannot hope to have
a position in the league of nations" sale
Miss Lucy Branham, of Baltimore, ar
organizer for the National Woman.
Party. president Wilson's appointment
of women f,pm suffrage states to attent
the Peace Conference is just an evidence
of the recognition of the power of womel
in the suffrage states. He did not maxi
appointments from Pennsylvania an,
Maryland and Virginia or other non
suffrage states.
THE nations never needed suffrag
more The problems that are to be set
tied in the future are not only locs
but world issues. The amendment to tn
league OF nations shows that woman
relations to these problems has bee