Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-24
WOMEN REHEARSE
IN BELL RINGING
Artist and Members of Pageant
for Suffrage Celebration
Gather in Square
HISTORIC ROPE IS USED

The "Woman's Justice Bell" a du-
plicate Of the Liberty Bell, was "rung"
silently for the first time today.
1t was, however, only in rehearsal
for the real ringing tomorrow after
noon, when thousands Of women will
gather in Independence Square to hear
the bell announce to the nation thc
passage Of the federal amendment Civ
ing the vote to women.
Guernsey Moore, the Philadelphia
artist who is in charge of tomorrow's
pageant, had his hands full. Miss
Katharine Wentworth, Of Roanoke,
Va, who will actually ring the bell,
was there, and so were other principals
in the pageant. Mr.. Moores job was
to get them all together and then to
get them started on the rehearsal.
Just as they got under way the two
little page girls, Marjorie Wentworth
Pitts, twelve years old. and her sister,
Anne Chittenden Pitts, eight years old.
climbed UP on top Of the bell, and their
mother, Mrs. Thomas Dorsey Pitts, of
Baltimore, who will be Justice" in
the pageant, stood beside them on the
platform. All was ready for n picture,
when Mrs. G. w. Ruschenberger ap-
peared on the scene and asked them all
to come down. 1t wasn't dignified, she
thought. Mrs. Ruschenberger is the
owner Of the bell.
Had To Obtain Rope
1t developed that there wasn't a rope
to practice ringing the bell with. So
Fred Eckersberg, engineer at Inde-
pendence Hall, hurried off and reap
peared with the rope with which the
bell in the tower of the Hall had been
rung the day war was declared with
Germany. This was tied to the justice
bell, and the rehearsal proceeded. The
clapper of the bell had been removed
to prevent any one ringing 1t prema =
turely. so Miss Wentworth just pre-
tended it was there.
Mrs. Pitts. will lead to wild ringing
of the suffrage liberty bell that will
shake the foundation Of America
Mrs. Pitts, as Justice, will wear a
white satin gown With something
draped down the back. This led to
conference, for the color blue signifed
victory, she said, and gold, justice. So
! gold was decided upon. Little Miss
Marjorie Pitts carried the scales Of
justice, simulated by hat; while her
sister, Anne, carried the sword of jus
| tice, at the rehearsal today.
Three thousand invitations to the suf-
| frage victory celebration in Independ-
ence Square tomorrow afternoon, which
were mailed Monday night at 0 o'clock,
have not been delivered.
Mrs. Sarah Mcneil, representing the
League of Women Voters, asked Su-
perintendent of Mails Johnson today the
reason for the delay.
| Mr.. johnson said the Jewish holiday
of Yom Kippur had made the depart
ment shorthanded The invitations, he
said. might be delivered tonight or to-
morrow morning.
The ceremony tomorrow will he un-
der immediate direction of the Phila-
delphia League of Women Voters, but
every suffrage organization in the city
and state is co operating.
| Altogether there will be nearly a
hundred women and girls in the
pageant. Forty eight girls will each
represent state. and carry a huge
American flag, and there will be maids
Of honor and other attendants.
Committees Of women to meet the
! out of town speakers upon their arrival
tomorrow are being made up today by
the Philadelphia League of Women
Voters, Mrs. George A. Piersol, chair
man.
Mayor Will Preside
Community singing and selections by
the Police Band at 2:30 o'clock will
! precede the speechmaking. At 3
| o'clock Mayor Moore. who will preside,
will make the opening address.
| Other speakers and their subjects will
/ be Governor Sproul. "Women's New
/ Opportunities" Mrs. Maud Wood
Park, Aims of the National League
of Women Voters; Mrs. John O.
Miller, THE Woman of the Future" :;
Mrs. Ruschenberger, The Suffrage
Bell" and DR.. NJ. Carey Thomas,
president Of Bryn Mawr, who has just
returned from a years trip around the
world. "A Tribute to the Pioneers"
| Two nieces of Susan B. Anthony will
have places of honor on the platform in
Independence Square and also will be
in the receiving line at reception in
the Curtis Building following the celc-
! bration. They are Miss Lucy +. An
thony, OF Moylan. Pa, and Mrs Ann
Anthony Bacon, of New York city