The New York herald., 1922-01-15
Mrs. Mccormick and Others
I. Attack Voters League in
Strong Terms.
LUNCHEON AT BILTMORE
Thousand Members of Club
Join in Celebrating Its
First Anniversary.


his pen poised in order to permit Mrs
Harding to write her expressions Of
Republican party beliefs, faith and
loyalty, to be read before the first an
niversary gathering of the Women's
National Republican Club yesterday
thousand women were present to listen
to the letter from the First Lady of
the Land and read by Mrs. John T..
Pratt. and which conveyed her disap-
pointment at not being able to attend
the luncheon.
Mrs. Harding's message covered
three typewriter sheets, while the
Presidents was contained in a scant
two paragraphs and explained that the
mistress of the White House was too
exhausted from her duties as hostess
at the ticlomatic reception Thursday
night to be able to come to New York.
and that he considered it most appro-
pirate merely to associate himself with
the expression made by Mrs. Harding
rather than to present his own.
Mrs. Coolidge, wife of the vice-P Presf-
dent, was asked to represent Mrs. Har-
ding.
AssaiIs League of Voters.
The outstanding feature Of the lunch
con was the series OF attacks. beginning
with an indirect one penned nv Mrs.
Harding, against the League of Women
voters, a non-partisan organization,
with city, State and Federal bodies.
Mrs. MedilI Mccormick, formerly an
official of the National American Wom-
an Suffrage Association, which became
the National League OF Women Voters
after the Federal suffrage amendment
was passed. warned women against
joining the league. Miss Alice Robert
son. Representative in Congress from
Oklahoma, put 1t in even stronger words
by telling those in the league they'd
better get out, and the onset was sus-
tanned by John T.. Adams. chairman OF
the Republican National Executive
Committee.
was addressed to Mrs. Arthur L. Liver
more. president of the board OF gov
ernors of the Women's National Repub-
lican Club. and who presided at the
luncheon, with regrets that the trip to
New York was beyond her strength be-
cause OF the stress of the last few days.
eliminating in the diplomatic reception.
The strain OF the big social event was
emphasized by Miss Robertson, who
said that she had stood for three hours
after leaving the presence OF Mrs. Har-
ding before she got her flivver and the
next morning had breakfasted in bed
for the first time in her life.
'T am sure" Mrs. Harding continued
in her message. that every woman
among you will understand bow the
multiplied demands at the White House
at this season make IL very difficult TO
accept any outside indulgence, but was
luncheon that I had made an exception
In this particular instance and had my
plans and engagements all so adjusted
that might be present.
1T had been my hope not only TO meet
my friends among the ciuD members and
to make some new ones. but also to
grasp the opportunity TO express to you
by hearty sympathy and appreciation
for the splendid work your organization
is doing. From a point of view much
wider than that which embraces merely
party considerations. there is the utmost
need for effective and unremtting effort
at organization. education and civic
training among women. They have come
suddenly into a mighty responsibility for
the national interest. II is RESPONSE
bility which must be discharged In a
larger than merely partisan way. and
vet that feel very sure Is best to be
dealt with through the instruments OF
party loyalty. conviction and devotion
II l did not feel that the nation could
and in the long run be. served best
through parties. I should not be parti-
san Republican. But I do feel this. and
therefore am convinced that the main
tenance OF effective party organization
and unremitting work is duty second
to none.
Must Preserve Traditions.