Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-05-23
CEREMONIES AT
DEDICATION ARE
FULL OF COLOR
Absence of President Did Not
Mar Occasion Very
Much.
BY CONSTANCE DRExEL.

That the PRESIDENT sent Word naI1 an
hour before the ceremonies began that
he would not be present did not seem
to mar the program. In fact, Mrs. Bel
mont and Miss Paul decided not to have
his letter of regret read so the element
of disappointment might be eliminated
as far as possible.
Speaking for the organization, Miss
Paul said afterward no explanation eI-
cept that contained in the Presidents
letter had been available. The police
had word of the Presidents coming ano
had made arrangements for his arrival.
Yesterday secret service men from the
White House had been there to look
over the ground. a precaution was taken
when the President is to appear in pub
lie.
I'VE did the courteous thing and asked
the President of the United States to
be present at our dedication was Miss
Paui's statement. He accepted our in
vitation and we regret exceedingly that
he was not here We have no expiana-
ton TO offer. nor has Mrs Battelle, who
obtained his consent to be here"
In giving out the Presidents dec1ina-
ton, the National Womans Party also
gave out his acceptance, received on Dec.
.. 1t reads:
The White House.
Washington. Dec. 80. 1921.
My Dear Mrs Battelle-I am writ
ing to confirm the appointment made
by the President to attend the dedi-
cation and the laying of the corner
stone of the building of the National
woman's Party. at 3 o'clock Sunday
afternoon, May 81. 1922.
Sincerely yours.
nod
GEORGE E. CHRISTIAN, JR.,
Secretary TO the President.
Mrs John Gordon Bateile,
Chairman Committee on Arrange
ments.
National woman's Party,
Washington, d. c.
The Presidents second letter read as
follows:
The White House
Washington. D. c.. May 20. 1922.
Ny Dear Mrs. BatteIIe-When you
invited me, many weeks ago. to be in
attendance at the dedication OF the
national headquarters of the National
Woman's Party. to be held on Sun
dya. May Il. 1922. the invitation was
accepted | am writing to say it viii
not he possible to be present.
share with you and ycur asso-
ciateS a rejoicing in the enfranchise-
ment of the women of the United
States. and | very truly wish that
the larger opportunity for American
womanhood will be marked by the
highest ideals. lof patriotism. no.
BILE inspirations aud great good to
our common country.
Very sincerely yours
(Signed)
WARREN C. Har-,piN6.
Mrs T. G. Battelle,
New Willard Hotel,
rhe eA'' President .i: mad not agreed to
sneak. only to be present and bring
greetings to be placed in the corner
stone.
Some wondered why his letter was not
used instead Certainly be could no;
have expressed a higher resolve for the
future Of any organization than was con
tanned in the last paragraph
Surprisingly few comments were heard
about the Presidents absence, as no one
had expected him TO make an address.
1t was thought the possibility OF the
National Wornan's Party attempting II
become a separate political party. as
expressed in an exclusive Interview TO
the Public Ledger by Mrs. Q. II, Il. Bel
mont, donator of the headquarters,
might have had something to DO with
the Presidents change of mind Among
other leaders of the organization, how
ever. Mrs ReImont's idea is not takep
very seriously, for the present at least.
1t is known. TOO. the President has
been criticised by OF her women's orgsn-
iZations and by women Of tire Republic
an national executive committee for hav-
- H--t
place, because thye think he ought to go
only TO political organizations that are
Republican.
However, the ceremonies were fortified
today by two very prominent members
of the Republican party. both Of whom
smiled genially during Mrs. Belmonts
address. Neither Senator Curtis. Repub-
ltcan whip and chairman of the Rules
Committee, who has always been the
friend Of suffrage, or Representative
Tess OF Ohio. chairman of the Republic
an Congressional Committee. seemed to
be in the least afraid of anything the
National woman's Party would try for
in the future.
ITS the ladies. God bless en-" seemed
q 10 Heir attitude.
Both Senator Curtis and Representa-
tive Tess made brief speeches OF con-
graduation aud deposited greetings in the
open corner stone.
Senator afaNay of Arkansas. Demo
cratic national committee member. was
the chosen Representative of the Demo
cratic PARTY He also made brief adj
dress and deposited a greeting.
Mrs. Belmont said in part:
I'VE are here today for two great pur
poses: First to acclaim the acceptance
If nr,yon ivat L
of women second. TO lay the corner stone
of the first womens political parliament
in the world.
THE existing political parties cater to
and accept the woman's ballot, but In no
way is he- influence or her point of view
considered.
"A belief in the need Of higher stand
ards in the body polite; belief in the
.need of more intimate knowledge OF
he requirements of the human family, 4
determination to come before the Govern
Ing powers rs dictators, not as heggars
made the formation of the Womans
Party a necessity We have placed our
Standards very high. With Gods help
1--WE shall attain it,
4 AS for the rest of the program Bishop
John William Hamilton delivered the in
vocation. Miss Gail I.aughiin of san
Francisco spoke on Meaning of the Head
quarters" Miss Maud Younger received
the headquarters on behalf of the Won
ans Party, Mrs. Lydig Hoyt of New
York spoke for the State and professional
delegations who were In the procession
carrying banners, and a new woman's
charter outlining principles enunciated
by Susan +. Anthony in 1915 was read by
Mrs. IZetta Jewell Brown.-Copyrieht
1872, by Public Ledger C0mpany