The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-25
HARDING DEFENDS
 WOMAN'S PARTY;
 REVENGE AVOWED
WithdraWS Invitation to At- tend Dedication Ceremon- ieS-USe of Naval Radio
 Outfit Denied
By HUGH ". RossEBTs Washington Bureau. The Age Herald,
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 Washington, May Special )- In respect to the ceremonies incident to the dedication Of the local head quarters of the National Woman's party, the Harding administration of tended the members fthat political organization in two respects.
 In two respects. the women have already retaliated. They promise to avenge themselves fully when a big ger opportunity presents itself.
 The offending individuals were President Harding himself, and Theo- dore Roosevelt, Jr., assistant secre- tary of the navy.
 Accepted Invitation
 Some weeks ago previous to the dedication last Sunday, President Harding accepted an invitation to att tend the dedication ceremonies, This fact was widely advertised daily. Two hours before the ceremonies were scheduled to begin. President Harding withdrew hls acceptance. In B formal letter he state simply that while he had accepted, it developed that 1t would be impossible for him to attend.
 The ladies circularized Washington with a pamphlet containing the Presidents letter of acceptance and letter withdrawing his acceptance. It was emphasized that in withdraw ing his acceptance. he had vouch- safed no reason or expression of re- gret. Quietly the leaders of the Na- tional Woman's party expressed their resentment. Some of them reached the conclusion, which was doubtless erroneous, that the President had with reconciliation sought to em- barrass them.
 Denies Use of Radio
 Mir. Roosevelt having been Tn actual charge of the navy by virtue of the absence of the secretary. de- nied the National Woman's party the right to broadcast their speeches over the navy radio.
 Secretary Denby had previously agreed that the radio might be so used. Roosevelt. in explanation of his nction, stated that so to use the radio was contrary to naval regula- tions. Mrs. John c. Battelle of Co., lumbus, O., and Miss Anita Pollitzer of Charleston, s. C., declared in a formal statement that 1t was diff cult to believe that in the absence of Secretary Denby the navy depart mont would repudiate the secre- tary's personal promise"
 But the promise was repudiated and the money spent by the party in NiAA luG IdQlU anu III paying for telephonic connections was wasted, and there was consid- erable embarrassment because the party leaders had arranged with women throughout the United States ito listen in" during the delivery of the speeches.
 Harding Not Worried
 While the National Womans party threatens vengeance the Harding ad- ministration is said to be worried not at all.
 For former threats of the party have meant nothing. Mrs o. H. ?. Belmont, who donated local head quarters to the party. organized in 1916 the famous poodle dog" special and toured the west for the purpose of defeating Woodrow Wilson for re- election. But the west reelected Wilson.
 In 1920 the party supported the republican ticket, although it was the action of democratic governor of Tennessee which made 1t possible for all women to participate in the elec- tion of 1920.