Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-23

Paul. chairman of the National Wom-
ans Party. led the delegation.
Declines to C0trcc state Legislatures.
The conference was a closed one.
nut Senator Harding authorized at its
conclusion this formal statement to
the suffrage leaders:
IL need not tell you Of my interest
in tn. contamination of the woman's
suffrage. ! voted for ii in the Sen
ate, and vote records n Senator's
purpose quite as faithfully as any
thing he may do.
Nothing would please me more
than TO have ratification made effcc-
tive TO give American womanhood
full participation in the elections of
November. This desire does not con-
i!ict with my determination that ]
force any state executive TO hasten
action in violation OF his own sense
OF duty. There is a point at which
full executive authority may approach
4 trcSpaSS on the right of states, and
| should not want To trcspass If |
bore the commission OF authority. ana
realize full we'll that. so far. ! am
only party nominee. In the latter
10 believe me inclined 10 trespass or
TO assume to WELD a club. If any
state executive should ask my opin-
ion about extraordinary efforts TO
conSummatc suffrage, l frankly Will
commend the things you desire. but
| cannot impose or demand. though
| personally hope to see womcn's
suffrage and woman's full participa-
ton established at an early day.
Good Listener, hut Poor Pro1niscr.
According to suffrage leaders seen
after the inomcntous interview. Sem
ator Harding showed himself through
out as Listening candidate After
ending his formal statement with the
should ask my opinion about extra
ordinary efforts TO conSummate SUI
fraga, / frankly will commend the
thing YOU desire" he added; ,.,.
which might come with propriety.
will be sought"
do you mean" said Miss, Paul,
that you expect to have good news
on the suffrage question:?
Senator Harding replied. Yes.
MAY we come back within 4 week
to get that good news?' Miss Paul
asked.
position can't be prccipitate, was
Senator Harding's noncommi,tal re-
To an added plea for more definite
II can say nothing more definite.
but ! know that men who believe as
you do are tactfully, discreely and
bccominEly engaged In an effort 10
secure what you urge"
To Senator. HardinE's repeated as
surance that the Republican platform
would not nc meaningless as con-
strucd by the Republican candidate.
Miss Paul answered:
'But you are appealing TO voting
women to elect candidates on the
basis OF this platform. II YOU can
take no steps TO see that ii is car
ricd GU, in states where the Rcpuh-
lean party is now in power, what
guaranty have we that If put in
power nationally. YOU Will carry your
platform into effect"
With this, tn" interview terminated
on Senator Harding's motion.
SuGrnGi>ts Are Dissatisfied.
After the conference suffrage head
quarters here issued formal state
meni characterizing. Senator. } a I'd :
| inE's attitude as Complete d.Sap-
| poinrN Miss Alice Paul said:
! Il "a hardly believe that a can
/ didatc nominated on 4 specific plat
! form, could within two weeks after
| that PLATFORMS formal adoption de-
clare himself unable 10 do anything
| 10 induce coordinate members OF his
! party 10 carry out one OF the plat
/ forms principal planks."
/ Prominent among the members OF
| The suffrage delegation were Mrs
: Gcnev'eve Allen, OF San Francisco;