Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-17

What may prove to be the nrst
haefle in the war against the use
Of tobacco in the United States
narticularly as applied to women
has Just bean waged here In the
newly Organized Wcuen's CITY
club.
More than 1000 representative
women Of the national capital be-
long to this club, the membership
list including wives Of cabinet
members, women Of congressional
circle sand prominent professional
and society women. The club Is
housed In a beautiful residence
overlooking Lafayette square, just
across from the White house. At
one tine during repairs on the
executive mansion, the present
club was the temporary home OF
former President Roosevelt and
his family.
Immediately upon the opening OF
the clubhouse in November pres
sure was brought to- bear upon the
board Of directors for permission.
not only for the masculine guests
of the club to smoke, but for mem
beers themselves to enjoy this priv
ilese. It was suggested that a
smoking room be furnished where
members of the club and their fem
mime friends could indulge them
selves with a puff at their favorite
flag. =
In response to the demand the
board gave directions for the fur
nishing of suitable quarters for the
smokers. designating large front
room on the third floor as the
prospective smoking room. The
furnishings were purchased and a
notice posted on the club bulletin
board to the effect that in accord
ance with the wishes Of the MEM
beers the smoking room would be
opened within short time. The
notice was observed by members
who gasped and exclaimed-and
then the battle was on.
Outrageous" declared Mrs.
Emma S. Shelton, president of the
District of Columbia WOmen's
Christian Temperance union. II
/, am simply amazed that they even
contemplate such . thing. / shall
certainly oppose the move"
Its unwomanly." declared Mrs.
F. Court Wood, former president of
the District of Columbia Federation
of Women's clubs. Smoking is to
be recommended neither, for its
cleanliness. nor its thriftiness. ]
am sure the majority of the mem
bers will oppose it."
Il believe in letting women dc
| as they please" was the retort Of
the opposition, voiced by Mrs. Nina
C. Van Wrinkle, head of the wom-
ans bureau Of the District Of Col
umbia police department, and
prominent in social work among
women. IF they want to smoke
let 'em. l do not, but it is because
l don't like to do it"
"If this Glib is going to be either
a kindergarten or Sunday school
l shall send in my resignation" de
clared other members, who wera
devotees of the weed.
For two months the argument be.
tween the opposing factions waxeG
hot and furious, until the harrieG
board of directors decided to pu1
the matter to a vote, setting al
early date in January for the de,
cision. This meeting was we'll at.
tended. Friends and enemies o.
MY Lady Nicotine turned out in full
force. There were SO many argu,
ments pro and con that final de.
| cision was postponed until another
meeting in February.
! At the February meeting the
smokers won, and the board of di
rectors were instructed to complete
the preparation for the smoking
room. But despite the settlement
of the dispute in favor of the smok
ers, the other side declared the wal
was not over. Mrs. Theodore
Moore, vice president Of the w. C
T. u, limited that the matter nigh
eliminate in nation wide cam
paign on the part of her organiza
ton to abolish the cisaret. 1.-THE
time is not ripe as yet" she sale
ominously, but"
Possibly this incident will pre-
cipitate the long threatened fight
to-the-finish between the anti
tobacco forces Of the country ant
the tobacco interests. Alarmed By