The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-04-19
BITTER CLASH
Of ELECTION
=. FORGOTTEN
Mrs. Becker, President
eraI, Takes Post Vacated To-
day by Mrs. R. W. Magma

Their new chieftain swept into
office by large plurality after a
long and bitter campaign battle,
the Daughters of the American
Revolution were all too tired to-
day either to celebrate or to sulk.
Mrs. William A. Becker, attrac-
tive New Jersey Daughter, last
night won the leadership Of the
large patriotic society by vote Of
1,436 to 619, defeating Mrs. Flora
Myers Gillentine, of Chattanooga,
Tenn, well-known educator and
liberal.
The campaign was the most
bitterly contested in the history
Of the society.
Led in Song-FeSt
In the flag-bedecked Constitu-
tion Hall last night, after hours
of awaiting the announcement
of the election returns, the 4,375
daughters attending the congress
gave a tremendous ovation to
their new president general, with
Mrs. Gillentine taking her defeat
with the graciousness that Is
characteristic of the South.
Up to the last minute, when
the polls were closed at 3 p. m,
there were electioneering and
campaigning. Daughters stood
on street corners distributing
election material and whispered
conversations all over Constitu-
ton Hall and Memorial Con-
tinental Hall gave proof that the
fight was to be carried to the
end.
Last night, while the congress
awaited the report Of the 80
tellers who had been locked up
for eight and half hours, Mrs.
Russell William Magma, retiring
president general, led the Daugh-
tiers in a song-fest.
Members of the ticket elected
to office with Mrs. Becker in
clude the following:
Mrs. Henry M. Robert, of Mary
land, treasurer eral; Mrs.
Julius Y. Talmadge, of Georgia,
recording secretary general; Mrs.
Lue r. Spencer, of the District,
registrar general. Mrs. Charles B.
Keesee, of Virginia, correspond
ing secretary general; Mrs. Will
liam H. Pouch, Of New York, or
ganizing secretary general; Mrs.
Julian G. Goodhue, of Illinois,
historian general; Mrs. John Y.
Richardson, of oregon, reporter
general to the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition; Mrs. Luther E. Tomm, of
Oklahoma, librarian general; Mrs.
Robert j. Reed, of West Virginia,
curator general; Mrs. E. Thomas
Boyd, Of Colorado, chaplain gen.
eral.
Responding to the ovation
given her, Mrs. Becker sounded
the keynote of her administration
in q brief address and then,
pleading for cooperation, said:
I'm larger things, unity; in
lesser things, tolerance; in all
things, charity"
In a statement following the
announcement of her defeat,
Mrs. Gillentine said:
There are no sour grapes.
If there is a tendency that
way, 1 shall sprinkle them with
sugar and they will make nice
preserves. / accept the verdict
Of the umpire, click my heels
and salute the new commander.
in-chief, Mrs. Becker, and her
cabinet, and wish for them a
successful and happy regime"
The society today approved a
bill presented in the House by
Representative Virginia G.
Jenckes CD of Indiana, provid-
ing that the American Flag be
placed directly on top of all pub
lie buildings.
In resolution adopted at the
early session, the Daughters rec
commended that suitable regula-
lions for the display of the flag
on all Federal buildings be pro-
mulgated by the United States
Congress.
Miss Fernald HOnOred
Miss Flora P. Fernald, who has
served continuously as secretary
to the president general for IS
wears, was honored by the society
today, when the Daughters voted
to give her a yearly pension
equal to 521a per cent of her
salary when she retires. Miss
Fernald is expected to retire soon
because Of a long and serious
This afternoon, the Daughters
will make pilgrimage to Airing
ton National Cemetery, where a
D. A. r. marker will be unveiled
on the grave of Lieut.. Hugh Aud,
q Revolutionary officer from
Maryland.
From Arlington, the daughters
will go to Mt. Vernon, where they
will place wreaths on the tombs
of George and Martha Washing
ton.
Installation of the new officers
will take place in the closing hours
of the last business session tomor-
row morning, with a large ban
uuet at the Mayflower Hotel con-
Guiding the siX-day session.