Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-05-20
WOMEN EARNED
RIGHT TO SAY
Il TOLD YOU so
Result of Pinch0t Campaign
PrOUes Ability of Sex as
Voters.
BY CONSTANCE DRExE.


WASHINGTON, May 2O-On1y now
that the Pinchot for Governor victory In
the Pennsylvania primaries Is absolute
ly sure. is it's full significance apparent
here. That seems 70 answer the ques-
ton as to whether or not women would
do anything but enlarge a blind and ig-
norant electorate with their new right OF
suffrage.
With the unexpected result In upset
ting the Pennsylvania machine coming
on top Of the surprise of defeating the
organization candidate in Indiana star
ing them in the face, even the oldest
school politicians are commenting "the
women did it."
In view Of the justice of their asser-
ton that women would really do some,
thing In politics, one might suppose the
women who have stuck to this faith In
their sisters through thick and thin
might have been found in the attitude
today of saying, II told you so.''
But. no. Mrs. Maud Wood Park. pres
ident of the League of Women Voters.
who should have taken a rest after that
exhausting Pan American conference and
national health convention in Baltimore.
but did not even stop to take deep
breath before starting off for the Indi-
ana, Ohiofand New Jersey State conven-
tions. has just returned and was busy
hammering still other nails to women's
contributions in politics.
After whole morning in her onice
debating mall she hoped off to the cap
itol where it was impossible to locate her
because Of appointment after appoint
ment with senator's and representatives
on legislation which the League Of Wom-
en- Voters is urging at the moment.
Briefly these are the independent citi-
zenship bill for women and the bill
for continuing the work of the United
States social hygiene board.
Probably Mrs Park would not have
expressed pleasure at Mr.. Pinchot's VIC
tory even though Mrs. Pinchot is ono
Of her close friends and finance chairman
of the league, because 1t Is against the
policy of the league to endorse candi-
dates. But any one who has studied the
| beginning and growth Of the interest OF
women In politics must realize that the
League Of Women Voters, through Its
Pennsylvania branch, was first on the
job in any kind Of a determined way.
Perhaps one might point to the first
citizenship school, attended by hundreds
of women, held in Philadelphia In Janu-
airy, 1920 that was such a success that
L
map and began organizing In every coun-
ty in the State.
Moreover. the Pennsylvania league did
the unusual and difficult thing Of con-
centrating its efforts in the rural coun-
ties. rather than in the big cities like
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Mrs. Warburton, head Of the Rapub-
Iican women in the State and now vice
chairman Of the State committee, was
early on the job and had her counties
organized even before the final ratifica-
ton Of the nineteenth amendment
Pennsylvania is one Of the States
where League of Women Voters and the
political parties have worked hand In
hand, each helping the other and each
feeding into the other.
The result has been something thought
to be impossible. For one thing, it
proves no revolution nor even new po-
1itical party is necessary for reforms to
be brought about. The women are en-
gendering the new element of temperate
criticism and progress that was needed.
That seems to have been definitely set
tied in the successful outcome of the
campaign Of Mr.. and Mrs. Clifford
Pinchot in Pennsylvania.