The New York herald., 1920-01-25
BY MARTHA T.. CONAN.


That deep political significance is at
tached to the gathering next month of the
national suffrage advocates in convention
in Chicago, is plain to those who read the
names of the party leaders expected to at
tend Democratic and Republican women
now serving on national, State and local
committees will be an important clement
in the representation of the more than two
million political equality advocates listed
in the associations membership. They VIII
be in session from February u to is, and
their most radical step in the weeks pro-
gramme is the conversion of the National
Woman Suffrage Association, which has
struggled for more than half a century TO
win the vote for women of all the states,
fntu-tfsc National League of Women Vot-
ers.
When these already politically active
women, many of whom have worked side
by side for the advancement of a common
cause. sit down in conference to decide
upon policy for the new National League
of Women Voters, experienced party lead
ers might we'll give ear to what they put
in their platform and the legislative pro-
gTamme they outline
NOn-Partisan Attitude.
Under the impartial guidance OF Mrs.
Charles H. Brooks, of Kansas, elected last
wear as chairman of the National League
of Women Voters. organized then as a sub
sidiary body of the suffrage association,
both Democrats and Republicans will have
an equal voice. Mrs. Brooks. who has had
little to do since here election, as the as
sociation has been marking time untll
next month, when it will become real
league of voters. has maintained n strictly
non-partisan attitude in all matters. That
is expected of the league leader.
The members, on the other hand, have
not hesitated to join their political part.
and it will be interesting to see whether
the Republicans or the Democrats pre-
.dominate at this important council.
Women who have heen elected to COM
mittees Of the two natinoal political par
tis, both of which hold their conventions
in June, will be prominent at the women
gatherings Mrs. George Bass, chairman
Of the Women's Bureau of the Depocratic
National Committee, and Mrs. Mary Gar
rett Hey chairman of the Executive Com
mittee of the Women's Division OF the
Republican National Committee. with Mrs.
John Glover South, chairman OF the Nom-
ems Committee of the Republican National
committee. are the political leaders VINO
viii be there. They hold the highest
offices of any women in the two parties.
Next in Importance to these national
committee leaders are Mrs. Harriet Iaylor
Trnton. on the advisory committee or the
Republican National Committee, which is
composed Of both men and women; MISS
r,ina West of Michigan, head OF the
Benefit Association of the Maccabees, and
Miss Mary Foy, Of Los Angeles, who, with
Nrs Bass. has been appointed on com
rnittec OF seventeen TO arrange tor the
conyntion OF the Democratic Natlonal
Committee next June, in san Francisco
This is the first time that woman mas
ever been appointed to such an Office pS
either the Democratic or Republican com
rnitfaes and il marks a decidedly tor-
ward nolitical step for the recently en-
froncbised members of society There was
great rejoicing i'm the folds OF the Demo
cratic party when Homer ;. Cuminings'
the natinola chairman, made the an
nouncement of the appointment OIL ivy
women to serve with iiteeh men asSo'
ciates. - - aho,,
,,,,n NJ the Women's Democratic state
committee and was presidentlal elcPtol
on th Democratic party in 1872 She was
delegate to the national convention III
1916 in st. Louis.
southern Leader 90 Take Part'
,nother democratic woman of impor'
tanco who will attend the league $ con
,eut1on is Mrs Samuel T. Castlenah' OF
.ouIsvIi,e "a memper OF the women )
Committee, She is second vice president
OF the Kentucky Suffrage Association.
Mrs. George Rcncckc, OF Chicngo' is
oxocutive secretary OF tho Womens com
,nittcc OF the Republican aNtional com
r,ittce and q member Of the state Board
Of the illinois Equal Suffrage Associa'
ton
Mrs Alfred 13ruggcman, Of st. Louis
is National Republican Committeeman
ana a m, mber of tho st. Louis League OF
Women Voters.
Numerous State chairmen will be there
as delegates. Mrs. Flctch Dobyns, OF Chit
cago. is state chairman of the Republican
Women's Committee. Three days ago she
vas appointed head of tho women's cam
paign committee for the nomination OF
Governor Frank q. Lowden for President
(, Mrs Howard T Wilson. of Ncrdcn, holds
tho same office in the Democratic PARTY
Both women are on tho Advisory Conmit
s,s of the Illinois Equal Suffrage Associa'