Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-17
WOMEN IN POLITICS
WARNED OF GREED
Voters League Members Told
They Need Not Rush In, as
Franchise Lasts
STUDY OF SYSTEM URGED

That women in politics are as yet
unframed, undiscip'ined and like greedy
children trying to grab all the good
things at once. seemed to be the con-
census of opinion at the opening ses-
sion Of the inter county conference of
the League of Women Voters today.
The conference IL at Emergency Aid
headquarters, 21S South Eighteenth
street, with Mrs. Lewis Smith. vice
chairman of the state League of Women
Voters, presidingg. Fifteen counties
are represented.
Most of the discussion showed the
women realize too extensive n program
would be suicide for them politically,
and that controversy among them Is
deadly.
"Some of us act as though we had
the vote only for this year, said Mrs.
]. O. Miller, of Pittsburgh. president
Of the state League of Women Voters.
1--WE have the vote until this nation
ends. We don't have to do everything
at once. nor rush into things head
long. Because you don't take up a
question or bill this year does not
mean you oppose it. 1t may mean that
you feel there is other legislation that
is more important.
Legislator tuNIseS NOuteTetS
Mrs. Jennie G.. Van Ness. member
Of the New Jersey Assembly, echoed
this sentiment when she said, Women
should be wise as scrpents and harm
less as doves where legislation is con-
ccrned They must take into consid-
Grafton the Legislators standpoint.
When the legislator sees group of
women coming with bill, and wrang-
ling among themselves, he is more apt
to throw up his hands and do nothing
except to express his thought-'too
much skirts,
Political education for women is the
point to be most stressed by the league
in the future il the feeling of this meet
ing is carried out. Training so that in
telligent as we'll as conscientious women
may take their place in governmental
duties is the chief aim.
I'VE will kill our organization, said
Mrs. J. o. Miller, "if we take up too
broad u program, sponsor too many
| bills that are controversial. When our
state organization made up its legis-
| lative program we included many things
which we do not now expect to spon =
! sor or push at this time.
1--WE have learned that some of these
| things are not wise at present. The
| first thing on our program was the
mandatory law providing for women on
| the school board Now that we have
| the vote we feel that we haven't gump.
ton enough to get women appointed
without such law, so we don't
deserve to have them on school boards.
| Closed Mouth Is Urged
Another thing on our program was
q state budget system. Now We don't
think we will push that. We believe
that it will be better to work for a
constitutional convention, then the
budget system will follow.
1--WE should not back too much legis
lation that calls for money. Rather,
think the women should work toward
rctrenchment. The Marshall bill is an
example. All you women should study
it and learn what antiquated tax laws
we have in Pennsylvania. ! would like
to see you women put your minds OF
the machinery of the government. Few
| men know anv more about 1t than yol
do. No wis the time to study it.
Other speakers stressed the fact thai
women should walk most carefully alonl
legislative paths until they know exactly
where they are going. One county rep
resentative said, Women should learr
to keep their mouths closed until the!
can inteiligently open them"