The New York herald., 1922-04-23
Commons Member Hears
Mrs. Gait Tell Throng Pope
FayOrs Votes for Women.
yISCOUNTESS ALSO SPEAKS
Believes in "a God Who Looks
Into Our Heart, Not
Our Sexes

Special Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD
BALTIMORE, April 22.-Lady Astor,
the attractive and vivacious little
Commoner from Plymouth, Great
Britain's first woman member of the
House, arrived Eere this afternoon
from New York to participate in the
Pan-American Conference of Women
The 1000 delegates and alternates,
representing more than a score of
South American countries. were just
finishing their three days sessions
preparatory to devoting themselves to
pleasure and rest until Monday, when
the third annual convention of the
National Losgue OF Women Voters
opens. 1t was tLis organization which
brought Lady Astor to America.
The sprightly NJ. p burst upon the
meeting in Hotel Belvedere Just In time
to listen to one of the surprises of the
session. This was an announcement
by. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait. presi-
dent of the International Woman Suf-
fragc Alliance. who presided at the
round table discussion on the political
status OF women. that not only was
the late Pope favorable toward the
suffrage cause but that the present
head OF the Catholic Church had sent
to a suffrage club in Serbia his bless
ing.
Lady Astor Assents.
Lady Astor. who leaned forward to
catch every word uttered by Mrs. Gait.
sounded the same note to the Catholic
women when II came her turn to ad-
dress the delegates.
II cannot for the life OF me see what
having the vote has to do with religion"
she said. "All men and women are born
equai--it's the saving grace of religion
I'd like 10 think there is a God who
looks into our hearts. not our sexes.
There are a great many Catholic men in
England who are for suffrage You've
got to push somebody out OF the way
u you are ever going to get on. No one
Is trying to divide the Church, and ] do
beg Catholic women to explain the move
ment In this way"
Lady Astor was accompanied from
New York by her husband and Mrs.
Alfred Lyttleton OF London. From the
minute she jumped off the train and
faced a reception committee OF women
from the conference. battery OF cam
eras and a band of reporters she
sparkled with JOY and enthusiasm, so
glad was she again to be on Southern
soil near to her Virginia home, which
she has not seen for more than eight
years.
Her progress 10 Hotel Belvedere was
triumphal procession and her appear
ance at the gathering evoked a storm of
applause. The 1000 women cheered
elapped their hands. jumped up on chairs
ana some burst into regular Indian war
whoops that must have sounded truly
American to the Niscountess.
Say smething pleasant about Balti-
more. Mrs Astor a photographer urged
~ the train and the Niscountess made n
little speech. the burden of which was
lost IN the noise Of the train pulling out
Of the station.
She was standing with her back al
most against the car and others jumped
quickly away. The undaunted ana
plucky little commoner held her position
before the camera without ever batting
an eygld.
You see," she said. 'it didn't bother
me a bit"
She wore dark blue one piece creme
dress heavily embroidered in dark blue
silk around the hem. dark cloth coat
with broad erminc collar and cuffs and
chic tricorne hat of dark straw with
two white quilts at the right side.
"My Best Dress,
rs that your House OF Commons
dress2" a reporter asked her
My. no." she exclaimed. this Is nv
best dress. My House drcss II i darl.
tailor suit with white collar aud cuffs =
When thc reception committee es-
cortcd Lady Astor to the convention 4
south American delegate was speaking
ana the distinguished visitor from eng
land said. "Sh-sh-sh - holding n finger
% her lips. She insisted on remaining
at the back until the speaker finished
and until Mrs. Gait invited her TO come
to the platform.
The reception COMMITTEES included Mr..