The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-16
MRS. WILSON BIC ASSET ID WOMEN'S
 PARTY DISCLOSED
Former "First Lady"'ls Retir- ing, But Furnishes Demo- cratic Women Brains
 to Organize
Ny CAROLYN VANCE Special CorrcspoBdent of The Age -Herald Copyright, I922, by The Age-Herald)

IlBht.
 Quietly, but nevertheless actively, she promoted organization work among democratic women for some time. Two months ago she received the democratic national committee women in Washington and conferred With them on their club plan.
 The lustrous personality of the for mer "first lady Is a decided asset Tn the organization work of the dom ocrats but they are not advertising her as one of tho stars in the wom- ems department Mrs. Wilson no doubt would object to exploitation of this kind.
 shows Much Interest
 Mrs. Wilson Is deeply interested In organization work among demo- cratic women." they have admitted, "and we have plans---" but further than that they would not so at democratic headquarters.
 have never heard Mrs. Wilson make q speech and doubt whether she ever makes one. Her forte in politics. it Is said, lies In supplying organizing brains. This handsome, strong featured woman of unusual reserve, would instinctiveiy dislike the beating of tom-toms, the news- paper headlines. the noisy aduiation of the crowd that is the breath of life to the demagogic type of poll tician, man or woman. It Is said that the secluded atmosphere of the White House during the last admin istration was due to her influence That she Is destined to be a power, though silent one. among political women Is predicted.
 Leads Awakening
 She is foremost among many southern women who are awakening to their opportunities in political life. Born a Virginia, politics Is in her blood. Her predilection for poli- tics was inherited from one of the r. F, V.'s as well as fostered by her marriage to the former President
 Mrs. Wilson's family. the Bollings were one of the ruling families of Virginia for generations, many mem- bers having held public offices" Is offered as an explanation for the flare for politics" that Mrs. Wilson has lately exhibited.
 Mrs. Emily Newell Blair. in charge of organization work among demo- cratic women. claims that southern women are going through a great transformation in their attitude toward active participation by wom- en in public life. More and moro of them are constantly announcing themselves as candidates for office.
 Overcome Prejudice
 Among the aristocratic families of the old south the children, girls, as well as boys, were brought up -on political talk. It is natural, therefore," states Mrs. Blair, "that southern women should be keenly interested in political affairs. To be sure the south was almost solidly op- posed to the enfranchisement of women and the southern women themselves were opposed to 1t. But lately they have overcome their prejudice against active partIcipa- ton by women In public affairs. and something within themselves that in- hibited 1t.
 Mrs McLaren Stevenson of Miss issippi. daughter of exGoyernor McLaren and a former very active anti-suffragist. is now running for the state legislature. She explained to me The Lord gave women the vote and He will hold them accountable for the way they have used It. South ern people. 1t seems to me are more religious than in some other parts of the country and they are apt to look upon the enfranchisement of women as an act of God and to act accordingly
 Others In Front
 Virginia, one of the most aristo- cratic states of the Old South has produced a large number of active women politicians that would seem to bear out Mrs. Blairs theory. In addition to Mrs. Woodrow Wilson there is Mrs. Blair sBannister sister, of Senator Carter Class, former sec- retary of the treasury under the Will son regime. She Is established at the democrat headquarters in Washing ton.
 Mrs Westmoreland Da wis is acting as manager for her husbands cam paign for the democratic senatorial nomination in Virginia. Davis an ex- goveror. is running against swanson, the present occupant of the Senate seat. It has been facettiously re- marked that 1t is apt to go hard with Senator Swanson because he has no wife to aid him in his campaign. Swanson Is widower The capital IS very much interested In the contest for several reasons. Mrs. Fransois Berger Morgan. a Virginia and also soceity leader in Washington is out stumping the state in favor of Davis. She Is the descendant of George washington's mother. Mary Bawi. Mrs Kate Waller Barrett, famous writer who has done so much for friendless girls Is also campaigning for Davis.
 Four FInppers
 The young south and the Old south differ on several subjects as was evidenced by the four flappers who attended the last convention Of the League of Women Voters. The four girls, just out of college, compresid Mississippfs delegation to the conven- tion.
 "we are bored by society" announc- ed one apple checked Miss in jaunty red hat who happened to be a daughter of ex-governor Brewer, so we thought we should like to try politics, and some of our people are so shocked"
 Mrs. Kate Tibbets of St. Peter burg, Fla, is an interesting woman .n the running for the state legisla- ture. She has attended all of the big national meetings of women lately In an effort to find out what other states are doing.
 Even the republican party Is re- presented by women politicians Tn the south. Mrs. J. W Tilson or Atlanta Is trying to build up . re white controlled republican organization" in that state. Another woman Mrs. Lendsay Patterson is running in North Carolina for tho Senate on the republican ticket.
 
 MUNICIPAL CONCERT
 The municipal band will be heard