Evening star., 1933-04-21
OAR. MOVE HALTED
BY STEAM ROLLER
Surprise Step in Defense of
Tempered National Policy
Marks Close.


forty-second Congress, today crushed
an nsurgent movement directed
against the tempered national defense
policy and resulted in an overwhelming
vote supporting the policy Of Mrs. Rus
sell william Magma in dissolving the
entangling Affiliations Of the National
Society with outside groups.
The steam roller was brought into
action by the Resolutions Committee
with . suddenness that took the in
surgent forces clearly by surprise and
shut out any attempt that might have
been made In an irregular way to force
the issue to vote Under the resolu-
ton which the Congress adopted clear
ly setting forth the present and future
policy of the Magma administration,
the national organization Of the D. A.
R., as well as individual chapters, must
refrain from afflliating with the Wom-
ans Patriotic Conference on National
Defense, the American Coalition and
all ether outside organizations.
Affiliation Not Permitted.
The prompt action Of the Resolutions
Committee in taking the matter into
its own hands brought into the open
e whispering campaign" which had
been conducted by a dissatisfied dele
gate who was chafing under the Some-
what mild national defense policy of
Mrs. Magna's administration. The
resolution set forth that such affilia-
tions were illegal under the bylaws of
the national society and expressly
stated that the national society can
not affiliate in any way with crganiza-
tionS or group of organizations, but
that it may cooperate. when it seems
advisable, with any organization hav-
ing objects kindred with its own"
1t was on the issue of afiliation and
cooperation that dissension arose in
the congress. Mrs. Grace Hall Brosseau,
honorary president general. voted with
the Magma forces in support Of cooper
alton and non-affiliation. Mrs. Lowell
Fletcher Hobart, president general of
the last administration, voted against
the resolution, denying that there had
been any afhliation in the past with
the Woman's Patriotic Conference as
interpreted by the administration forces.
Tensity of Atmosphere.
The atmosphere of Constitution Hall
was tense with suspension as the con-
gress convened for its final session to-
day in view Of reports that insurgent
leaders were going to make an issue of
Mrs. Magna's Chinese wall" that the
present administration is seeking to
build around the national organization.
Anticipating such move, the admins
tration put into practice q well known
army theory of striking first
Princess Cantacuzene, grandmother
OF Gen. U. S. S. Grant, whose name
has been linked continuously with the
fnsurgent movement, arose when the
resolution was presented to demand
whether cooperation with kindred So
cieties" would prohibit work with the
Woman's Patriotic Conference and sim
liar groups
Miss Janet Richards Of the District
OF Columbia. q charter member of the
D. A. R., who seconded the resolution
from the floor, brought applause when
she declared: I'VE want to be separated
on1cially from any other organization
and remain true to our own"
During the exciting discussion that
ensued, Mrs. Hobart, who for eight years
has taken active part in the Woman's
Patriotic Conference, having been chair
man for two years and q vice president,
arose to address the congress. TT Il
my own idea we have not afiliated
with this conference, but that we have
co-operated with it," she said. She
claimed the D. A. r. during this period
had paid no dues to the organization,
but had simply contributed toward the
expenses Of its conventions. she de-
clared she knew Of no bylaws Of the
organization to which the D. A. r. had
subscribed
At this point, one Of the honorary
vice presidents, Mrs. John Laidlow Buel,
arose to assert that she was q member
OF the committee which drew up the by
laws for the Woman's Patriotic Confer
ence and Mrs. Hobart hastily replied
she had never seen them.
Effects Back Home,
The question of whether the resolu-
ton prohibiting affiliation would apply
to chapters back home was brought up
by Mrs. E. H. Wescott state regent of
Nebraska, who declared 1t would prove
Q handicap.
The resolution, the most important
action taken by the forty-second con-
gress, pointed out that dating from
May S, 1894, various resolutions have
been adopted to the effect that we ad-
here strictly to the objects as defined
in Article II Of our constitution and
that neither the society nor any part
thereof shall identify itself in any Of
fetal capacity with other organizations. -
It declared further "a legal opinion was
sought and given stating that we can
not legally afiiliate with other organ
tzations."
Affiliation means joining with other
organizations in projects necessitating
expenditure or collection Of dues, which
would give such participation an official
status. BY cooperating with kindred
associations, the D. A. r. members or
chapters would be acting independently
with no strings tied to them.
At first a viva voce vote was taken
with the supporters Of the resolution
drowning out the opposition. A stand
ing vote then. was taken with the result
that the resolution was adopted over
whelmingly and the insurgent spirit