Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-27
STORM THREATENS
WOMEN'S CLUBS
OVER PUBLICATION
Comparison of Hoover With
Washington Defended
by Mrs. SippeI.
OFFICERS ASToNISHED
BY PARTISAN CHARGES
Dissension Within Ranks Prior to
Booklets Issuance Flatly
Denied by President.

Distribution Of a booklet by the BIZ
centennial Committee Of the General
Federation Of women's Clubs compar-
ing the greatness Of President Hoover
with that Of George Washington and
given publicity in the Baltimore Sun,
threatened today to cause a widespread
controversy within the ranks of this
influential non-political organization.
Mrs. John F. Sippel Of Baltimore,
president Of the General Federation.
who accepts responsibility for the is
suance of the booklet. expressed aston
ishment at criticisms by officers, who
protested that booklet might be con-
strued as injecting politics into the
affairs Of the federation.
AT the Offices Of the federation at 1874
street, in this city. Mrs Sippel, dis
claiming any political intentions, de-
Democrat. But / am a dry Demo-
crst," she added, and solely for this
reason voted for Mr.. Hoover on the
wet and dry issue in the last presi-
Genital campaign. / belong to no party
committees and have taken no active
parts in politics. That is the queer
thing about 1t all"
Dissension Denied.
Mrs. Sippel denied charges that the
publication of the booklet. issued last
Saturday, had been held up in dissen-
stons within the general federation
and that it was not issued until she
had gone to the White House and there
received the Presidents personal APP
proval.
ut is absolutely untrue" she said
that took this matter up with the
President. doubt very much If the
President was even aware of its publi-
cation, unless his attention has been
called to 1t by comments in the press"
Mrs. SippeI explained that the book
leG was merely program suggested to
ofncers OF State declarations for use at
meetings OF new voters who have taken
out citizenship papers, to be arranged
oy State clubs as part of the Wash
lngton Bicentenntal celebration next
year. The program Is q pocket-sized
folder bearing adjoining Autographs Of
PRESIDENT washington and President
hoover. Over the pictures appear the
words, Citizens then and now
On BicentenniaI Committee.
AS president of the general fedora
ton, Mrs. Sippel with the two ranking
wee presidents, comprise the members
OF the BicentenniaI Committee. Also
IN her capacity as head of the fedora
ton, Mrs. Sippel Is member of the
PRESIDENTS Committee for Employment
which includes among its membership
tions.
For years we have had a kind of
ceremony when foreign born in our
midst become citizens" she explained
today, and it seemed to me that with
the approach of the Bicentennial Cele-
bration, tt was an opportune time to
present the high ideals of both Wash
lngton, the First President. and Mr..
Hoover, who Is President now. to these
men and women. There is nothing of =
political nature or intent in the book
let, unless certain persons want to nut
N there. The sole thought in the
booklet was to have these new citizens
realize the high ideals of both WASH
ington and Hoover in meeting their
new responsibilities as citizens"
Mrs. Sippel said she has not heard
one word OF criticism, herself, from a
state ofiicer. Although issued only last
SATURDAY, she added that the response
mas been quick and interested. Many
public libraries have written requesting
copies of the booklet for the inforrna-
ton they contain.
Comment Declined.
The president of the District FEEDER &
alton Of Womens Clubs, Mrs. Z. B.
Merritt said today that the District
Federation had no connection with the
publication Of the booklet, but added
tnat she had ::her own idea as to its
political intent"
Mrs. Rudolph s. Allen, president of
the Prince Georges County Federation
OF Womens Clubs, likewise would not
be quoted
At the national offices of the feder-
ation IL was admitted that the booklet
might be construed as a political move
as did Mrs. Robert Frank Skutch. presi.
dent OF the Baltimore Federation w,.o
was quoted as saying: IT feel that the
is going to be misconstr1led
don't know why they injected Presj-
dent Hoover
DeplOres Publication.
She added that she had known I'm
advance that some suggestion as to the
participation of the Federation in the
washington Bicentennial was tn he
issued. But didn't know it was COM
ing out in this form, which I de-
plore, she explained.
Mrs. j. Enos Ray, State director of
the Maryland Federation and its vot-
ing representative on the board of the
General Federation, was quoted as saw
ing that she hadn't known of the plans
for the booklet until she received her
copy. Mrs. Ray Is the wife of the
chairman OF the Democratic State Gen.
trail Committee.
Il haven't examined it." she said. $50
it wouldn't be fair for me to make
any comment at this time. However. /
may have something to say in day or
two" -