The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-16
SUFFRAGE DEFEAT
ALMOST CERTAIN
Weekend Adjournment Gave
Opposition Its Chance.
Ratification Pledges Being
Broken by Wholesale.
TEAAESSEEAN WANTS PROBE
! North Carolina Legislature
Sends Scout to Nashville.
Governor Cox Urged to Make
Trip and Help Suffragists.
TENNESSEEAN WANTS PROBE

Washington, Aug. I6.-The anti
suffrage organization in Tennessee has
played havoc" with the ratification
pledges over the weekend and is work
ing to force a vote in the house this
afternoon, Miss Anita Politzer, Iegisla-
tive committee in Tennessee, informed
national women's party headquarters
here today.
Want Cox to Help.
Columbus, O.. Aug. 16.-Governor
Cox today was urgently asked by Mrs.
Abby Baker of National Woman's
Party, to make flying visit to Ten
nessee as a possible means of accom-
plishing legislative ratification of the
woman suffrage amendment.
Latest reports to Mrs. Baker were
that the suffragists lack seven votes
in the house.
North Carolina Sends Scout.
Raleigh, n. c.. Aug. 16.-Reports of
a quiet trip to Nashville, by Will Neal,
a member of the North Carolina
house. to get first hand information
on the outlook for ratification there
on the suffrage amendment. stirred
suffragists and antis here today.
A senate vote on the suffrage reso-
luton probably w9li be taken by to-
morrow night. The question comes
iup when the senate convenes tomor-
row.
=; Nashville, Tenn, Aug. 16.-Fate OF
the federal suffrage amendment in
! Tennessee may be known tomorrow,
Members of the legislature predicted
today that the house would vote to-
morrow on the ratification resolution
which has been adopted by the senate.
1 Both suffragists and their opponents
declared they were CO fident of sue
cess. The house committee to which
the suffrage resolution was referred
plans to consider it tonight and &c
make a report to the house tomorrow
morning.
Leaders of both factions said they
/ hoped debate would be brief so that q
vote could be taken at one of tomor-
rows sessions. Suffragists were plan
ming to force a night session If neces-
sary. They declared they were conf
dent that a majority of the members
of the house was in favor of suffrage
ratification. = Speaker Seth Walker
| leader of the anti-suffrage forces. how
ever. said he was reasonably sure the
house would reject ratification"
May Demand Probe.
Senator John c. Houck of Nashville
announced he will demand an invest
CATION of powerful influences, he as
defeat of suffrage. Houck is chairman
of the Republican state campaign
committee.
A conference of members of the
/ legislature, both Democrats and Re
publicans. and of the leader of both
parties not members of the legislature
all friends of ratifica ton. will be held
to consider the question of institutirie
a legislative investigation into thf
lobbying situation. the interets 'ap-
-, = ~ 1a 70 of "a
ratification" Houck said.
There is a belief here among pro-
ratifica tionists that a conspiracy is OF
to get friends of ratification. who ar:
members of the legislature, to find il
suddenly convenient to disappear and
/ return home on account of sickness in
families and for other reasons"
Anti-suffragists said they are more
confident the ratification resolution
will be defeated than they were when
the legislature adjourned Friday
/ Speaker Seth NJ. Walker of the house
said defeat of suffrage is certain.