Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-29
INCREASED NUMBER
Of WOMEN WILL Be F..
IN OFFICIAL POSTS.
Miss Mabel 7. Boardman
Makes Prediction Be-
fore City Club.

Prediction that women in the 1u-
ture will enter more largely into or
fetal life was made today by MISS
Mabel r. Boardman the Districts hrs'
woman Commissioner. at the weekly
luncheon OF the City Club in the
clubhouse at Farragut Square
Commissioner Boardman's appear
ance before the club estabhSneo
precedent in it's history due TO the
fact that she is the first woman 10
speak to members at one of their
functions.
Tribute to women for their eX-
ecutfve ability in official life also
was paid by Commissioner Boardman.
She expressed the opinion, however
that women will be of more service
in municipal rather than in federal
governments.
Remarks on Suffrage.
Il would like to say a few words
TO YOU members of the City CiuI on
the subject of women in puphc oinSe'
she said. Woman suffrage, wnetner
we approve of it or not, is no longer
an opinion, but fact, and with SUI
frase will undoubtedly come the al
ditioual duty of civic responsibility
and to a certain degree OIL oiiic'ai
service. ,,;o.
II believe that this official service
will be more apt to function In Ilu
nicinal rather than federal govern
ment. Municipal affairs have closer
and more immediate contact VIII .ie
home in certain of their phases. NC
tsrs of public health. schools pray
grounds, markets and charltles are a.
questions in which women are sreatiy
interested. Their own experiences anu
training. especially when the cues
tions concern their families and tnelr
children. will make their service VI
value to the community.
Federal service either IN ieslsa
tive or executive departments mas 10
do with a great number Of interna-
tional, financial and business pIoo-
iams. 1t deals with treaties. with TAR
iffs with trade relations. with com ,
mercial interests, with lnternaeloIai
finances, with postal management 4
with national methods OF taxatlon
and apnropriations, with national de.
tense. public lands and a score OF
other important problems. for the
solving of which few women nave hau
either training or experience;
1T is for these reasons that i 1nink <
women will find a greater sphere OF
usefulness in municipal rdehei
federal office.
Fitness ShOulQ uONefh'
However, men and women shouIa
be selected or appointed because o.
their fitness for the positfon-and not
hacanse they are men or women. IL Is
true that in civic affairs women nave
their interests as well as men, anu
II seems natural that in some re-
spects a woman can more understand
ingly represent the interests OF wom-
en- and children than can man.
.sRealizine, then, the fact that wom-
on in the future will enter more
largely into official life. want TO ask
for them your clemency In tne!r new
duties. I speak as woman VINO mas
accepted the grave respansion..'y s us nov ~
with too great severity, but heip US
with YOUR longer wider experience
and knowledge. Woman occupies an
important sphere in the world, put
her training. as a rule, mas peen VI
more limited nature and her experl-
ence has been with the home ratner
than the national life.
"In her enthusiasm for the things
in which she is deeply interested sne
will feel intensely the disappolntms snI en-
so often to be met in the efforts Tor
desired results. She may be impa-
tient. but be patient with her. She
will learn and her vision will broaden
l am sure you agree with me Inat tne
yjsion- of woman will not lack IN
hal
to accomplish things that the more
practical and experienced man VIII
regard as impossible, and yet l nave
known the vision of the woman TO
sweep away barriers apparently I'M
movable and the dream become a re-
ality. Thus we need your aid to tenn
per our .enthusiasms and keep US rea-
sonable in our ambitions.
Have Executive Ability.
women have good executive ability.
Their methods are generally simpler
and less complex than those of men,
and this is a help in organizations
which do not require too much ma
chinery. In my entire Red Cross ex-
nerience / know of no more perfect
piece of organization than that done
as head of the nursing service by Miss
Jane Delano. 1t was great work
that provided over 10000 graduate
nurses for the Army, Navy and public
health service-a development OF a
system that never failed, that was
built up of of the most practical de-
tails and regulations, and which had
at it's foundation the highest ideals
of patriotic, unselfish service. This is
an instance of the executive ability OF
woman.
"On the other hand. l think, gener-
ally speaking. women need better
balanced judgment of values. That
you must help US to obtain. For my
part | consider myself extremely for
tunate in entering public Office to fint
myself associated with one of the
ablest business men of Washington
Mr.. Hendrick-and with an equally
able representative of the fine corps
of Army engineers-Col. kutz. Tt
them I shall look for guidance, ant
with them / shall be happy to work
with woman's enthusiasm and q
woman's knowledge.
Appreciative of Opportunity.
May j take this opportunity to ex
tend to the City Club my appreciation
of the honor the commissionership ha:
brought me of membership in so rep
resentative a body of men, and l truS
that, with your support. the Commits
sioners will feel their hands greatly
strengthened for the tasks that liz
before them.
Gentlemen, ] shall do my best II
serve WaShington: / have no othe!
purpose in entering into official life
The President has conferred upon M
a great honor, a grave responsibilit.
and a high privilege, and [ ask you
help in making me worthy of sucl
confidence"