The Washington times., 1934-10-30
BIT TER FIGHT
SEENFOR HEAD
Of OAR.
Shifts Of Support Following
Political Disputes Leave
Election in Doubt
BY RILLA SCHROEDER

With the next Continental Con-
gress seven months away D. A. R.
factions in the District and varl-
Gus states are grooming them
selves for what promises to be
one of the liveliest sessions In
the history of the organization.
The fight will center about the
candidates for president general.
Two candidates already have
been announced-Mrs. William
Becker, of New Jersey. and Mrs.
Flora Myers Gillentine, of Ten
neSSee.
Dark horses include, thus far.
Mrs. G.. wallace w. Hanger, of
washington, and Mrs. Julia Dent
Grant Cantacuzene, of Florida
and washington.
Disagree On Policies
At the last Congress Mrs. Will
liam Russell Magma, president
general, was understood to be
backing Mrs. Becker as her sue
ceSsor, but since the two have
differed sharply on D. A. R.
policies, such as the observation
of Constitution Day last summer
and literature distributed by the
national defense committee. of
which Mrs. Becker is chairman.
Mrs. Becker's anti-Administra-
ton sentiments, it is, feared, will
involve the Daughters in politics.
Mrs. Magma has always insisted
that the organization confine
itself strictly to activities pre-
scribed by its constitution and
bylaws.
Mrs. Becker is quoted as having
said:
"Disintegrating forces have
been constantly at work through
out our national life. Today
the attack is directed against
the rights of private property
and individual initiative. Pa
ternaliSm is the indicator of
power lost. 1t is the predeceS-
Sor of FaScism and dictator
ship and tyranny"
This statement, made in con-
nectien with her Constitution
Day controversy with Mrs. Magma,
was regarded by many of the
Daughters as an avowal that she
and Mrs. Magma had parted. The
latter has so far refused to indi-
cate her position. Theoretically,
she is still backing Mrs. Becker.
Kin of General Grant
Mrs. Cantacuzene, granddaugh-
ter of President Grant, and di-
vorced wife of Prince Michael
CantacuZene, of Russia, has al
ways opposed Mrs. Magma. She
resigned her Craftsmanship of the
national defense committee when
the latter took office as president
general.
Last spring Mrs. Cantacuzene
indicated she would back Mrs.
Gillentine, although it was ru-
mored that she, herself, was
planning to be a candidate. The
former princess candidacy is
still unannounced, but friends of
Mrs. Gillentine are doubtful Of
her support.
Mrs. Gilletine has not commit
ted herself to any specific pol
icies. She is not believed, how.
ever, to be in accord with the
alleged position of Mrs. Becker,
or of Mrs. Cantacuzene.
Stubborn Figh; Seen
A fourth candidate is expected
to be Mrs. G. Wallace w. Han
ger, of Washington. Mrs. Han
ger was defeated for president
general several congresses ago.
She was vice chairman of the
program committee the first year
of Mrs. Magna'S term as pres
ident general, was chairman of
the committee this past congress
and will be chairman of the
same committee next spring.
She is frankly opposed to the
Daughters interference in affairs
outside the society. Her attitude
is believed to Ne in harmony
with Mrs. Magna'S noninterfer-
ence policies.