Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-20
"RUaBER STAMP ENDORSE.
MENTr

MENT"
For several years there has been
In this country an effort in process
to prevent political machines" OF
few men debating political candi-
dates and policies. 1t has found ex-
preston in the direct primary and
In the Initiative and referendum. 1t
weighed In the conclusions OF those
who established woman suffrage. OBJ
, livious Of the power that would be
begotten OF those who are skilled in
the platform appeal to women.
A forcible reminder of a predica-
ment which has arisen is that con-
tained In a valuable article contribu-
ted to Womaf's Home Companion by
Anna Steese Richardson, director of
the Good Citizenship Bureau. Her
comments are directed specifically
to the General Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs. Here Is one Of them the
ladies will do we'll to keep in mind:
"Without questioning the merit of
the bills endorsed by the National
Board OF the General Federation or
the dement's of the Snyder Bill 1t
seems fair to ask whether the two Cor
three) million women included in the
Federation have endorsed these bills
either as individuals or as clubs.
Do they even understand the meas
ures endorsed in their name by the
National Board? l cite a case in
point:
AT the mid biennial conference or
the General Federation held last May
in Atlanta, Georgia, l attended a
luncheon given by the Public We'll
fare committee. Mrs. Stella Atwood,
chairman Indian Welfare committee,
congratulated some two hundred of
the two million women on the public
service they had rendered in defeat
ing the Bursom Bill which, according
TO it's opponents. would work great
Injustice on the Pueblo Indians. Great
applause followed this speech. and as
I did not know anything about the
Bursom bill. 1 sought enlightenment.
or FIVE women who had seemed most
enthusiastic over the chairman
tpeech, not one knew anything about
the bill or the rights of the Indians
involved. but IL must have been an
tniquitous bill, because the chairman
had told them so, and the National
Board had denounced Ii. Between
spoonfuls OF charlotte russo, one
woman exclaimed: Il don't know
Anything about the BILL but wasn't II
lovely that We defeated IT,"
"Since then. | have taken pains to
read everything available about 1.-THE
bin and the campaign conducted by
The American Indian Defense Asso-
eiation, Inc. plus the General Fed
eration of Womens' Clubs. This is
neither the time nor the place for me
to express my opinion az an Amer
lean citizen, but / raise the question:
"Ifow many of'y you two million fed
Grated clubwomen have taken the
pains to read up on this subject or
even to ask why your National Board
denounced the Bursom Bill?''
I'VE women ask the lawmakers oil
our state and national government
TO take us seriously, and then we
leave our reading and our thinking
TO national officers and salaried exc
cutiyes of reform organizations
The endorsements by the General
Federation of sWomen's Clubs are al
ready being used to their personal
advantage by certain salaried execu-
tives OF welfare organizations and by
publicity representatives OF big In
terests. have on my desk literature
and letters which prove these state
ments beyond doubt"
The writer recommends as cor
receive Of this mischievous condition
n referendum on resolutions and en-
dorsements. This would cost money
.and effort. and would weaken the
power Of those who essay to speak
flor two or three million women who
shave little or no exact information
about that which Is being advocated
In their names. It is an outrage
however, to continue the present
smethod of influencing the minds Of
the public and controlling the law
makers. It should not be tolerated
And while the lawmakers receive tns
.dictum with benignant smile there
doubtless are chortles Of uhholy glet
when the back is turned. They know
that few womenaor men for thai
matter-usually uniformed respect
ing the merits about to be endorsed
or condemned, are led by platform ap'
sp>als to assume to represent grea
membership OF voters and to commit
them to this or that according to thu
sweet will OF the mauipulators.
Public sentiment Is a powerful In
strumentality. but under existing
conditions seems as susceptible t
mischief as to wisdom. Leaders there
must be, but they may not be de-
pended upon 10 do the thinking o.
the led. The time Is not far distant
IL 1t hasn't already arrived, wher
stirese Olives for public influence
win make themselves so ridiculou.
a. to lose effect. A real. awakened
and intelligent public sentiment viii
then find 1t difficult to set a hearing
We best reform the present condi-
-tlons as soon as possible.