Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-22
Frederic Haskin's Letter
FLIRTING WITH THE WOMAN VOTE

vention. and others are expected to
be added.
In the Democratic camp, the
women's division OF the national
committee claims that women are
to be put up side by side with men
as delegates to the convention. and
to serve on committees as electors.
Two women. they state, are now
serving on the committee to ar
range for the Democratic conven-
ton.
It is too early. Of course, for
either party to indicate its princi-
pies for the coming year. but sug-
gestions as to possible planks In
the platforms are already circu-
lating. The Republican women's
committee, for instance, sets forth
a list OF reforms and urges that
they be incorporated in the Repub-
lican party platform. These in
clude national and state legislation
for abolition Of child labor. estab-
lishment Of an eight-hour day and
a 44-hour week for women in in
dustry. compulsory education for
all children between 6 and 16 for
36 weeks in each year, and reten-
ton of citizenship by American
women who marry foreigners.
The women's division of the Dem
ocratic headquarters regards such
proposals as unnecessary SO far as
they are concerned. The Demo-
cratic committee has, they state.
promised women equal rights and
privileges with men, and as the
women are to be adequately repre-
scented in Democratic deliberations
there is no reason why they should
suggest women's reforms separ-
ately.
Both parties take the attitude
that, being concerned in advances
in woman's welfare, women voters
will also be interested in princi-
Piles relating to taxes, budgets. war
policies, and international affairs.
These matters affect their hus-
bands, fathers and sons where the
women themselves are not directly
involved. Therefore, each party
will endeavor to gain the women's
support through them as we'll as
through measures that primarily
advance the welfare of women
only.
The National Woman's party,
which has held so important
place in women's politics for the
last few years, is not engaging &C
lively in preparations for the cleo
ton campaign. When approached
as to the political status of the
party, a representative stated that
it is still absorbed in the fight to
get the suffrage amendment rati-
fed.
as the National Woman's party
was organized for the sole aim of
obtaining national woman suffrage,
it cannot engage in other work I'M
til it has accomplished its pur-
pose" she added When the Sc
necessary states have ratified the
amendment and national woman
suffrage is "a fact, We expect to
hold a convention and consider the
party's political future.
Made up as it is of women of
every political leaning, and many
who are not affiliated with any
party, it is hardly possible that the
party should declare itself for any
one candidate, even if suffrage is
achieved in time for the woman's
-, party to take sides in the election. :"
This member of the party and
many others believe that the wom-
ans party will either decide to up
hold some principle, such as indus
trial equity for the sexes. or there
is the possibility that when it has
seen the amendment ratified it will
be dissolved.
| In the meantime, the women are
working harder than ever to get
the leisurely governors of nom
suffrage states to hurry up extra
legislative sessions. so that the
amendment may be ratified in time
for the election. Twenty-Five states
have now ratified, and three more
Wyoming, Idaho and New Mex
ico-are expected to do SO at spe-
cial sessions arranged for January
and February. Eight other states
would be sure to ratify. the wom-
ans party claims, if the governors
would call the legislatures into
session.
In order for women of non-suf-
frage states to be eligible to vote
this November. it will be necessary
for the amendment to be put
through by May. If these women
are to vote at presidential primar-
les. they will have to be enfran-
chised> by February. AS both DEM
ocratic and Republican parties are
eager to enlist more women, pres
sure is being exerted to get the
governors to gather together their
lawmakers and settle the question.