The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-22
WOMEN VOTERS WYATT OFFICIALS
 90 ON RECORD Mary Garrett Hay Gives Reasons for Questionnaire
 Sent to Candidates. REFUSE TO VOTE
 BLINDLY, THEY SAY New York City League Will Make Questionnaire Part
 of Work.

"One of the functions of the City League of Women Voters is to give first aid to the woman voter" said Miss Mary Garrett Hay, chairman of the New York City League of Women Voters when interviewed at league headquarters regarding the question natre sent by her association to can didates for the Assembly and Board of Aldermen.
 Since the most encouraging char acteristic of the woman voter is her unsuitable desire to learn, the league caters to her in every way possible. The questionnaires that we are send ing out to Assembly and Aldermanic nominees will bring us information that we believe is particularly valua- ble. In sizing up a candidate it is not enough to know his personal bio graphy, his business and political rec ords, it is also necessary to have a di- gest of his opinions on questions of moment, to see how his brain func- tions, what principles he supports and what standards he maintains.
 Our clientele the women voters of the city, will be satisfied with noth- ing less than this complete way of studying the men who are running for office. These women who are not content with voting blind1y for strangers. who are not satisfied with hearsay testimony, look to us as a re- , liable source from which to get in formation, and we therefore gather as much first-hand knowledge as possible. This demand on the part of women is our main reason for sending out the questionnaires.
 "But there is another reason that influences us. There are many mat
 
 that candidates usually fail to men, tion in a presentation of their plat forms and their views. Of course there are some men who have quickly adapted themselves to the new order of things and who do not forget the propositions that appeal to their wom- en constituents. But these men are in the minority. And so in our questionnaires we have incorporated some of the things that seem impor- tant to members of our sex, and that will bring out the attitude of the men toward problems that vitally af- feet women or the welfare of their children.
 "The questionnaires are of great use to the intelligent woman voter, and they are also valuable to the can didates. They show the latter just what public questions hold the at tention of their future constituents, just what matters a large part of the public considers important. This is 1 a tip that should not be despised by a | wfdeawake aspirant for office The l questionnaire helps him also to crystalline his ideas. The fact that | he must express his opinion publicly on any question forces him to study 1t carefully and to focus vague or ! decision. This is a spur to him men | tally that he ought to appreciate. | Then, too, the fact that he publicly l commits himself to a certain line of action, that he indorses a principle | or a measure gives him a. sense of | responsibility that 1t is good for him to have.
 | There is need, too, of closer rela- | tions between public officials and voters. If aspirants for office feel that the public is not indifferent or careless as regards their opinions ! and actions the whole matter of | holding public position will be view | ed in a more serious fashion. More
 over women feel that only men in
 telligent enough to understand public 1 questions and to voice an opinion backed by good reasons should run | the government. Such tests as ques- | tionnaires tend in time to develop | better informed candidates
 "On the whole, the plan of giving | the voter a glimpse of the mind and | spirit of the candidate seems to
 bring good results. Last year the | Woman Suffrage party found the questionnaires they sent to candi- 1 dates eagerly consulted by great
 numbers of women voters. The City | League will probably make its questionnaire a regular feature of its political work in the belief that it is | rendering good service to both can | didates and voters"