Evening star., 1926-10-31

trict of Columbian" is a
~ debated question in Wash
ington and abroad at the
present time, with a vacancy to be
filled in the near future.
Although most of the national
women's organizations are maintain
ing a neutral stand on the question,
because of it's local character, mem
bers of one of this group have ex-
pressed themselves unanimously as
favoring woman board member
Letters urging that woman be con-
sidered for the position held by Cuno
ii. Rudolph until his recent resigna-
tlon have been pouring into the
White House from all quarters. Each
of the As State branches of the Ma
tional Woman's Party has adopted
resolutions advocating the favorable
consideration of feminine candidate,
and these have sent copies of their
resolutions to the President. In addi-
ton, the national board of this organi-
zation has authorized that a letter be
sent to Mr.. Coolidge, on behalf of the
party as whole, expressing support
OF the idea of woman for Commits
sioner.
Miss Alice Paul, member of the
board, states in her appeal to the
Chief Executive: I'VE (the Woman's
Party) believe that women should
nave share in the government of
the cities in which they form half
the population. Washington, in par
ticular, as our Nations Capital.
should, we feel, be a model for the
whole country in this respect. We
hope most earnestly that YOU will be
willing to follow the precedent. which
has already been established. of an.
pointing a woman Commissioner, and
we believe such an appointment would
cause satisfaction the country over"
Augmenting the pleas of club.
women, the President has received let
ters from many prominent men, most
OF them lndorsing some particular can
oldate but alike in their expression
OF opinion concerning the adVisability
or putting woman on the board.
Senator William Cabell Bruce of
Maryland said, in this connections Il
thlnk most emphatically that there
should be a woman on the board In
deed, think there should be a woman
on every such board"
Allard II. Gasque, Representative
from South Carolina, writes that in
his opinion commissioner of the Dis
trict of Columbia is a big job and one
that means a great deal not ONLY TO
] should like very much to see a good,
strong woman appointed as one of the
commissioners"
Strong opposition was expressed at
the Womans Party headquarters to
the proposal to reduce the three-year
residence requirement for eligibility
to cOmmiSSionerShip. Officers of the
organization stated that they felt that
membership on the board should be
limited to bona f1de residents of the
District
Mrs. John d. Sherman, president of
the General Federation of Women's
Clubs, while emphasizing the fact that
her organization policy was to main
tain strict neutrality on all local po-
litical issues, and that for this rea-
son she could not express an opinion
concerning the question of woman
Commissioner, did state, however,
that in general she considered it an
excellent plan to have women par
ticipating in the affairs of a civic
government. Managing your city's
affairs" said Mrs. Sherman, "is just
n proposition of housekeeping on a
big scale. Women, as a class. are well
equipped for the duties involved. and
If individually suited to administra-
tive work, should add to the efficiency
of any town council or board. The
question in general, to my mind, is
not one of men or women, but of
proper selection of individuals. If
adaptable women could be found for
the jobs, 1 should be glad to see at
least one woman on every civic coun-
Gil in the United States"
Mrs. Sherman issued this statement
in Il brief interview on the eve of her
dpuartllre for Little Rock Ark where
she viii attend the State convention.
Following this, she will go to Bing-
hamton for the New York State Fed
GRAFTON meeting. She expects to re-
turn to Washington November II or
13. to he here for the remainder of
the season.
i; X X X