Evening star., 1960-01-26
2CIubs''
Move Is
Baked
BY FRANCES LIDE
Star Stah Writer

By FRANCES LIDE
Star stsn Writer
Over the repeated objec-
tions Of Mrs. Mccall Hem
derson lines, a decisive parli-
mentary victory was won yes
terday by members of the Po-
litical Study and Women's
City Clubs who have been
fighting withdrawal of the
two groups from the District
Federation of Women's Clubs.
Mrs. T. David Gates, feder-
alton president, ruled that
the resignations were mot
in order" and therefore could
not be accepted as the con.
troversy, which has been
growing for six weeks,
reached a climax at the fed
eration's monthly meeting
at the Willard Hotel.
Federation members, vot-
ing by secret ballot, sustained
Mrs. Gates, IS to 81, in the
case Of the Political Study
Club and indorsed her ruling
on the Women's City Club
by a standing vote, marked
by only half dozen diSsentS.
To Notify Members
Motions also were approved
directing that all members
Of the two clubs be notified
that their organizations are
still members Of the District
Federation. as well as the
General Federation Of
Women's Clubs.
Mrs. lines, who Is pred-
dent Of both organizations,
charged that, regardless Of
the vote" the procedure was
illegal" and said the fedora
ton cannot dictate" to the
board Of either Of her clubs.
Mrs. lines had submitted
the designations Of the two
clubs, along with the with
drawal Of a third group. the
New Era Club, at the conclu-
sion Of the federation's De-
cember meeting.
Resignation Of the New
Era Club. founded by Mrs.
lines who is now its treaSur-
er. was accepted without dis
cuSSion.
Up to Members
Mrs. E. Morgan Pryse. par.
Humanitarian Of the fedora
ton, said it is now UP to the
general membership of the
Political Study and Won.
ems City Clubs as to wheth-
er or not they continue in the
federation.
She said the local fedora
ton had consulted Mrs. w.
Glenn Suthers of Chicago,
parliamentarian of the Gen.
eral Federation, before ar
irving at the rulings an
nounced by Mrs. Gates yes
terday.
Read into the record yes
terday, along with letters
Of resignation from the
clubs. were signed protests
from members Of the Wo-
mems City and Political
Study Clubs who complain
ed that in each case the
board acted without approv-
al Of the membership.
Mrs. Gates said the feder-
alton had felt it was neces-
sary to make an investigation
as q result Of the protests
it had received and because
Of the charges Of irregu-
larities" in the designations.
Cites Constitution
In the case Of the Political
Study Club. she cited Sec
tions from its Constitution
and Bylaws providing for
the election Of directors and
alternates to the federation
and ruled. in part:
Neither the president or
the Board Of Directors can
deprive a person Of a posi-
ton to which she has been
legally elected by the mem
bership, except for malfeas-
ance, or perhaps misfeasance
in office. and even then the
decision Of the Executive
Board is subject to review
by the whole membership.
mo president or Board Of
Directors, therefore can vote
to withdraw or resign from q
membership to which they
are committed by virtue Of
clauses In their Constitution
and Bylaws without chang
ing the said Constitution and
Bylaws"
In the case Of the Women's
City Club. she quoted the fol-
lowing from its Year Book:
1--WE are also members Of
District Federation and Cen
eral Federation Of Women's
Clubs.
The Women's City Club"
she continued, federated
with the District Of Columbia
Federation of Women's Clubs
in 1920. and no resignation
or withdrawal from either
the District Federation or the
General Federation Is legal
until its membership has
been notified in accordance
with Roberts Rules Of Order,
such notification proposing
the withdrawal or resigna-
ton"
Mrs. lines vigorously pro-