The Washington herald., 1921-02-17

be still some time before women will
be able to participate in national
politics on an even footing with
men.
SUGGESTS WOMEN
FOR EVERY VACANCY.
Just ask one OF the leaders of
the two national parties to put
woman on the finance committee
and see what happens" she de-
clared.
81 still hold. however, that there
is no position in the United States
today which a woman could not fill,
provided she were fitted for it," as
serted Mrs. Havemcyer. 81 have
woman in mind who could fill the
White House with credit as the ma
tion's Chief Executive. There is no
question but that We shall soon
have women in Congress, in both
the Senate and the House. 1t will
take time: do not say that we are
ready to serve as Senators now"
she explained. but il will be
gradual evolution until women will
fill these positions and will be able
to secure such legislation as will re-
move the barriers which now pre-
vent women from attaining the
status to which they are entitled
Women should not attempt the
important national offices yet, Mrs
Havemeyer believes. but should
start with municipal and State gov
ernments, and gradually work to-
ward the more complex affairs of
national politics.
The time is not ripe yet, either, in
the opinion of Mrs. Havemeyer. for
a coalition of the present women's
party organization with either of
the old parties.
OPPOSES COALITION
WITH OLD PARTIES.
we would not be received on
an equal footing and would ac
complish little" she pointed out.
1t would be far better to arrange
for a national gathering of women
call it a rendezvous, or anything
you like-nOt necessarily a party
for the minute you say party and
draw up a platform you have dis
agreement and there is the posi-
bility of another party forming
within the party"
Mrs. Havemeyer suggests that
women of the United States, rep
resentinE the various interests and
industries in which the sex is en-
gagged, bring their wants to this
convention or meeting. The or
ganization could maintain a ma
tional legislative committee here in
Washington which would receive
all legislation aimed to improve
the economic conditions of women
workers and allied interests.
Mrs. Havemeyer is not a paCifist
in any sense of the word, she says
She was one of the most ardent
workers during the war. partici
pating in the liberty loan drives
the first campaign of the land army
the food conservation drive and
numerous other patriotic activities
'T am an American" she said,
"and believe in fighting for Amer
lean rights if the need arises. !
believe in America for Americans
and l believe in making our for
eign debtors pay up"
There was twinkle in Mrs.
Havemeyer's eyes as she recalled
the troublous days when the mill
tants of the National WOman's :
party picketed the White House in
1918.
You would never guess on what
charge was arrested" she said
with a chuclle. For striking a
match"
Then she told how she had vainly
attempted to light a match with
which to fire the paper in the pro-
testing urn which burned day and
night before the White House.
SERVED FIVE DAYS
FOR STRIKING MATCH.
Like every woman who tries to
light a match-of course, I~faiIed," ="
she said. but I.was arrested any
how, and given five days-for strik-
ing a match! I have often thought,
what If I had succeeded in lighting
it.-that would have been worth a
life sentence"
Mrs. Havemeyer brought the
ship of State" with her, the wood
en- model of the "Mayflower," which,
carried in parades and exhibited
throughout the country during her
suffrage campaigns the last few
years, did SO much to gain votes for
the cause.
The ship, which has thirty-three
| incandescent lights, was inspired by
the suffrage torch which gained
such celebrity during the campaign.
Mrs. Havemeyer yesterday deliv-
cred to Director Wolcott, of the
Smithsonian Institution, as a per-
manent suffrage memorial exhibit
| from the National Woman's party
the Ship of State" the suffrage
torch, the pen used in signing the
ratification of the suffrage amend
ment by the governor of Pennsyl-
vania, Inez Mulholland's banner and
a prison pin and picket PIN" the
property of Miss Alice Paul.