New-York tribune., 1920-02-05
NeWDenOcracy
'Ship'of Women
Strikes Storm
National Body Is Opposed
by Old Organization and
Tammanny Hall Groups:
Aims Arouse Suspicious
Nrs. Bass Is the Target
She Declares New Order
Will Not Cooperate With
Regular Party Workers

The new national organization OF
Democratic women struck a good many
reefs in it's initial voyage into the seas
Of politics yesterday afternoon. The
wintry blasts which beat against the
windows of the Waldorf-Astoria were
m more chilly than the shafts and
,nouisitions hurled against the "W omen
democrats of America by various and
snndrv women Democrats of America
and Tammy Hall who saw in the new
organization rival to others already
happilv sailing under the star of
Democracy.
Mrs. George Bass. chairman of the
Womens bureau of the national
Democratic committee, was the storm
center. She was surrounded by n
1roup Of New York Democratic COM
mjttee women. including Mrs. Jean
Norris. woman leader OF the Tenth
Assembly District; Miss Sarah Steven
son. Miss Virginia Mollcnhaucr, Miss
Elizabeth Narbury and Miss Laura
Caublc
Ms. George IL. Childs, chairman OF
,he Women's Democratic League. pre-
sided. but stated after the meeting
she did so only out OF courtesy and
rad no official connection with the
project Mrs. John Sherwin Crosby,
Chairman Of the Womens Democratic
Club. sat quietly in corner, but at
the end Of the meeting ordered her
name stricken from the list Of mem
bers Miss Marbury left IN the mid
die Of the meeting, with wink, which
she later interpreted. with:
Don't ask NE what it's all about. I
don't know.
According to the certificate of incor-
poration. the objects of the organiza-
ton Will be to organize the Democratic
women Of America. 20 encourage them
TO labor for the bettrment of their
party and to help upbuild the nation.
Aims Arouse Suspicious
The chief trouble seemed to be that
the aims of the new orga nization, as
interpreted by Miss Margaret Vale,
aroused suspicious on the part Of Mrs.
Bass and the others that it was an
organization which would not work in
harmony with established party groups.
Il was asked about the organization
by Miss ale three weeks ago" said
Mrs. Bass a. one point in the proceed
lngs. and because understood that it
was to be an organization which would
help the Democratic party and be an
adjunct to tho national organization
] promised to help it. Now it seems
that you propose 10 form an organiza-
tlon separate from the men, and that
part Of Your purpose is to promote can
dldates. cannot consent to any such
undertaking. Within the Democratic
party we have a national committee
with d woman from every state, dis
cusslng men and measures with the
men committee members We soon
shall have A woman for every man on
the national executive committee, and
We shall have many women delegates
TO the national convention. If you say
You want TO organize separately from
the men, part with you right there"
Temporary Officers Elected
Miss Vail explained she felt many
women took no active interest in party
organization, whereas they would be
glad TO join an organization of women
which would meet to study political
problems. Many of the audience ap-
plauded that sentiment strongly
ne meeting IaSted tnree hOurS. ana
at the end those who were left elected
the following ticket, as temporary Of
iicers:
President, Mrs Henry Keith; vice
presidents, Miss Adeline Sterling and
Miss Elisabeth Marbury; honorary
Vice-p presidents, Mrs Lewis Nixon Mrs
George H. Childs. Mrs. Leslie Abbott,
Miss Elizabeth Colbert. Mrs. Elizabeth
O'Gorman Stanton, Mrs. Frede rick
Crawford, Mrs. William X. Vanderbilt
and Mrs. ], Borden Hartman; secre-
tary. Mrs. Charles u. Hirst; treasurer
Miss Louise Tucker; director of or
ganization. Mrs. Mary A. Morse, and
director Of publicity, Miss Margaret
Vale.
All these women said they we're in
tcrested in the organization and would
ike TO help it. If they resign now,
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