The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-06
IS SOUTH READY
 TOELECT WOMAN
 MEMBER HOUSE.!
Washington Wonders About Chances of Mrs. Edmond Son-MiSS Alice Robert
 son Successful
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau. The Age-Herald,
 bUO DAKidSon Building.

bUO DHtidSon Building.
 Washington. April 5.-(Special.l- Has southern state reached the point at which it will elect a woman to Congress? 1t is mooted question, and one that has attracted consider able attention in Washington, since Mrs w. B. Edmondson of Decatur, an estimable lady, practical and busl- ness-like, has announced against Representative Edward B, Almon or the Eighth, or Muscle Shoals, district of Alabama.
 There have been but two women members of Congress. Jeannette Rankin of Nevada, suffrasette, came during the war period, and cried when compelled to vote on the question of war. She was regarded as a failure Two years ago Alice Robertson came from Oklahoma. She has proved a distinct success. She Is as popular, perhaps more so, than any other member of the House.
 Miss Alice must face the electorate again this year. The women poli- ticians are against heE For, in tine beginning, she opposed the extension of suffrage to women. Again, as a member of Congress, she has opposed
  suffragettes. She voted against the Sheppard Towne. s~.l, which puss the federal governm,N- in the position of supervising authority in the matter of childbirth. And other of her of : lenses" consisted in the fact that she named as secretary a man (although she did appoint a woman postmaster in her home town) and instructed the clerk of the House to designate her. when calling the roll. as Robertson rather than Miss Robertson"
 Has Made Good
 But as a practical member of Con gress, Miss Alice has made good. She has voted with the republican party in all matters of a political character. for she believes in that party and is a member of it. It is said by her con stituents that she has attended to bIsiness-answered their letters. car ried their complaints to the various departments, and pressed their claims before the United States Veterans bureau. She has also attended the burial of their soldier dead.
 As a matter of fact, Miss Alice whether the sun be broiling or the rain pouring, has attended the burial of all soldier dead at Arlington. IL has not mattered from what state they originally came in response 60 the call of the colors. She has been present when taps sounded, and has shed her tears.
 Quite recently. two newspaper cor respondents were descending in a capital elevator when Miss Alice en- tered the car. The correspondents re- moved their hats. So did Miss Alice to their amazement.
 "I don't know whether to take off my hat or not" she said. "but as you take off yours, think had better take off mine. You know, this is business around here, and I don't stand on my skirts"
 When the correspondents, on Ieav- ing the car with Miss lice, replaced their hats, Miss Alice again followed suit. eW
 T suppose you boys just can't for get the good manners your mothers taught you, can your" she said, smii- ing a good-by.
 There would be regret in Washing ton were Miss Alice to be defeated. A democrat will oppose her, it is said, if in the primary she manages to weather the storm the suffragettes will raise against her. She has dem onstrated that a woman may come to Congress, make good. and not appear out of place.
 But whether a southern state is as yet willing to send a woman to Con gross remains to be seen.