The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
Political Leader ! Feminine To
 Finger Tips
By CAROLINE CRAWFORD

MARS. LILLIAN COX GAULT, a VH former Mayor of St. Peter, Minn.,
 is one of the most interesting women attending the democratic con vention. Mrs Gault is the only woman delegate at large from Minnesota and has the honor of being the states only woman Mayor during 1921, when she achieved considerable fame and won high commendation for the manner in which she conducted her city's affairs.
 You might immagine that Mrs. Gault is a very aggressive, mannish type of woman who sat right down in her hotel bedroom at the Astor and told me on the tips of her fingers the many diff ferent things she did when she was mayor. But Mrs. Gault is not that type of woman at all. She is very femi- nine, motherly type of woman whose outstanding characteristic is "discre- tion."
 "One of my first words of warning to future women mayors Is, Don't be too aggressive; don't try to take the lead too much when you first get into office" said Mrs. Gault. Women are new in the political game and they need the help and support of men. If they enter upon their duties with a know it-all,' you-can' t-tell-me air the men will naturally refrain from helping them or, in fact, even conferring with them at all"
 Mrs. Gault began her career as a teacher in the schools of Nicollet county. After her marriage to the late A. K. Gault and her removal to Omaha, Neb., she became interested 1e AI. ho e club. Later she was elected Regent of Omaha chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, served a term as state secretary for Nebraska and was elected to the national body of the order as vice president general from Nebraska.
 Soon after Mrs. Gaults return to St. Peter in 1917, she took up Red Cross work and was elected as the first woman chairman of the Nicollet County chapter. When the suffrage amendment was adopted she aided in the organization of the League of WOm- en Voters and held the office of chair man for the Sd congressional district. Subsequently, she served one term as mayor of St. Peter and her work has been widely and favorably commented upon.
 Because Mrs. Gault is the mother of two boys and has helped rear her sis ter's son she is very much interested in boys and their progress. One of the first things she did when she be- came mayor was 10 put a bill through to stop boys from smoking.
 I've haven't had much trouble with young girls smoking yet" Mrs. Gault told me, but I dislike to see the boy who is immature mentally and phy- sically constantly puffing at cigaret. I have no objection to smoking and do not consider it a bad habit but I did not want out our future citizens stunted physically and mentally. The teachers of St. Peter tell me that the boy pupils have improved much since smoking has been prohibited among juveniles.
 Another move this woman mayor made was to clean up the dance halls.
 "Women are always anxious to see that everything is clean and orderly" said Mrs. Gault, and naturally a wom- an mayor will not tolerate improper dancing and improper conduct in public dance halls. Many mothers will come to a woman mayor and tell her the real conditions in these balls where they would hesitate to tell a man these things"
 Mrs. Gaults next step was to see that all soft dring stands, booths and ice cream parlors were licensed. In regard to the prohibition question she said:
 "I do not think Minnesota is any ko ha amendment than any other state, but I was very anxious to see that no other drings should be mixed in with the soft ones. Not only did I see to it that all these soft drink places were licensed but had all screens removed from these places so that you could see in from the street"