Catt, Carrie Chapman. General Correspondence. Hyde, Clara 1923 Buenos Aires Jan 22, 1923 My dear Clara: Your two letters dated Dec 19 and 26 came on the same steamer and were received today. I bless you for those clippings although I haven't read one yet. We were to go to Uruguay tomorrow but there was a jam in the river Rio de la Plata and one steamer was sunk and the other was injured This disarranged things somehow to go to-night and therefore everything is crowded up. An American mail goes tomorrow and I want to reply to your letter even if it is not much that I can take time to say. There was a storm when the collision took place let me add and it is good weather today. They have violent and sudden thunderstorms here just as we do and also sudden changes of weather. We have been received officially by the Brazilian Senate and this afternoon we will be so received by the Argentine Senate and in Uruguay we shall be met by Government delegates and our hotel bill paid by the State! This sounds as tho' S. America is rushing headlong into woman suffrage, but that is where circumstantial evidence deceives. However we seem to have made a dent. E. Babcock went to a movie a few nights ago and saw us all on the screen. One of Rosa Junsh New York friends wrote her family in Holland that she had been to the movies in N.Y and saw Rosa and I - it must have been the heat!! - coming from the Reichstag! Fame is cheap these days. It is curious to read about xmas and ice and snow and grippe &c. Yesterday afternoon we went on an afternoon excursion to a place which is the only scenic thing in flat land Buenos Aires. That is unique - many islands in the mouth of the River de la Plata on which interesting houses gardens and orchards a la Thousand Islands are to be seen. We went in a motor boat in and out among the islands and we saw orchards loaded with peaches and pears and with apples and figs not yet ripe Boats loaded with big baskets of peaches were plentiful en route to the City market. The thermometer at 10:30 in our shaded rooms is 86. Just think of these things when you are sniffling with a Denison Kerchief. I think your plan of an office for attention to women's accounts etc is good provided you can secure a sufficient clientele before you begin to guarantee expenses. You did a thousand things for me which when lopped off from my business does not leave much but I'll certainly be a client For reasons which will be all too apparent. I cannot remove business from present management until I come home but we will begin then if you are ready. I do not expect now to come home in March We do not yet have a completed schedule. This is certainly the very worst place to learn anything. There is not a real travellers bureau on the continent. At present we are sailing on the Oceana from Panama on Mch 24. In reality we have not got positive reservations made - so the unexpected may yet happen. Now I must say goodbye altho I'd like to spin off a few pages. Thanks, a thousand thanks for the clippings and letters. I am perfectly well. Lovingly as ever Carrie C Catt Parque Hotel MONTEVIDEO C. CASSONI 29th Jan 1923 My dearest Clara, We are quite ready to leave Montevideo - and as I have a moment to spare I will begin a note to you. Oh my dear your letters are so delightfull to receive and both C C C and I just love to get them - you surely just seem to send them at the right moment. I can give you the best of news from us. Buenos Aires has been very good. The Council of Women which is the big woman's body there consists of a group of rich - catholic rather conservative women. There chief work is charity work, but it is done on a large scale and very much supported by the government. The Council has not yet taken the Suffrage group in, as that would be too advanced 2 for them. however there are three different suffrage organizations which makes matters very complicated. Mrs. Catt has asked the Council to become the Auxiliary of the Pan Am: and when we return to B A. we shall get their answer; which we know will be favorable. Also they intend to give an official invitation to hold the new Congress there. The people in B A as well as here speak very good french, so I serve entirely as Mrs Catts interpretor as she cannot much trust our other friend - - - - - so I am pretty busy - I translate programs, etc and type them. I am so happy when I can be of so much use. My dear stepmother says she really could not get 3 along without me here - So I feel very happy. She is such a dear. and so sweet and loving to me We do not see much of the two other traveling companions, just at meals, and that is just as much as we can stand. (I am afraid I am very naughty) but I know Clara you dont mind hearing a bit of scandal. The one I told you about before is perfectly hopeless. CCC pretends she has no brains at all! Cheerful hi? Mrs Catt believes that B A would be a very good place for a Congress the women are good organizers and there is plenty of money. In Montevideo we were met at the docks by 200 women representing all different societies - there was a band which played national airs [Motor's] from the Government. Mrs Vitali did splendidly. We are entertained entirely but he Government and have two of their cars all day. Here the Council has already affiliated with the Pan Americans. We had a meeting with them but oh it was so funny I wish I could display the way they behaved. Mrs Catt and I had such fun over it later; but still they are progressive here and mean very well. They dregged us to all sorts of institutions from 9 in the morning even had to see the horse, dog hospital. We had appalling hot days — but have good rooms and have servived. We had a luncheon with the American Club here about 60 women: The YWCA is working well. Now dear friend thanks for your two letters — write again love from our chief. am glad you will start that business and CCC is delighted. love from dutchie [*Rosa*] Teus 19 feb: 1923 The weather is perfect. Dear Clara - A peacefull day will be used to have a chat with you. Certainly you are a true friend to both of us, the way you follow us, and your letters just arrive at the very moment we step into a new Hotel. As CCC says Clara is a great girl. You have no idea how happy she is with the clippings as my dear she never received any newspaper or magazine since London. You can understand how mad it makes her. She already showed me your official statement about your women, when I also got one. Thank you so much. Well I think it will surely be a success and I dare say a great many more will be delighted to turn over their affairs to you. Certainly CCC is very relieved and will be so happy to know you are managing her affairs; as there is no one in the world like Clara!! However I am never one bit jealous of you and do think you deserve all the love and appreciation from the big chief. She has a big place in her heart always reserved for you and me. 2 I am so glad you liked the silhouettes but am afraid you will be disappointed when you see us again, in reality. In Santiago I had an anxious day again CCC suddenly got an attack of direah again and felt very rotten. We had to call on the Resident at four and while dressing she felt so bad, that I had to put her to bed. I immediately called a sweet woman doctor whom we had met . I gave her hot water compresses and in a few hours she got much better. Oh I was so worried - she was real sick and felt herself very bad. I made her lay in bed for two days [notwithstanding] her protest. Gave her some healments and then she got over it remarkably soon. The truth is she was very tired. [ M? ] tired us a good deal and the trip over the Andes is enough to kill the strongest horse. No comfort in the trains at all, then the high altitude. Clara don't say anything to Mrs. Hay about this as I donot 3 know if she heard, and she gets into unnecessary fits. [Mandy?] was not as startling as we thought she might be. She was slow and I think in ... love ... has no organization power at all and was not a good interpretor. in fact rather disappointing though very nice. However we met some very remarkable intelligent women but many many were away for holidays, it is certainly the wrong time for S America. We have received by the President of Santiago and CCC had an hour of interesting talk with him. You know everyone just adores her. We also met a woman writer charming - goodlooking and clever. [Iris]" There was a beautiful building of a woman's club in Santiago which belongs to the [ ? ] [ ? ]. But I will not attempt to tell you that as Mrs Catt made it all for the [C ? ]. Don't you love her articles? She always reads them to me when she has finished them. My Spanish is wonderfull. The morning of our departure I ordered toast and tea and explained very carefully how to cut our bread to have it toasted. The result was we got two fried eggs? You can guess how Mrs. Catt teases me ever since. I say it is much more remarkable we do get the things we want generally. Anita [&] Lenney stayed in Chily and will turn up on the Ebro and we will go on that steamer to Panama, and she will go on to New York. You will be surprised to hear some details about her from Mrs. Catt. Elizabeth Babcock came on with us. We do not care much for her, she is not my style at all!! She thinks such a lot of herself. Clara please pay my bill for the [?]. Oh I wish I could turn over all my business to you! I do hope you will succeed you deserve it. Do come to Rome. Love my dear friend of whom we talk much. always your loving Dutchie Written about March 5/23 on passage Lima to Panama My dear Clara: Tomorrow at 7 am we arrive in Panama. We stop 15 minutes at Balboa but I hope my mail will come aboard. We will go on to Crystobal and thus while viewing the wonders of the canal I can read letters. I have written a collective letter including some con- fidential matters which you will get. Also the letters from Peru telling what was suitable for the public and now time is up. We are on a delightful comfortable steamer but I have written the entire journey of 4 days. I am glad you may find another client. I'm the first I insist. I thank you cordially for the financial report and the sale and reinvestment. You are a nice brick. I want to thank you for the clippings with enthusiasm. They have been much appreciated - more than you can know. I am longing to hear who is going to Rome, how and when. I am as ignorant as a wild turkey and I am beginning to worry lest the mail I need reaches Panama after I have gone. You have been the best correspondent for your letters are always here when I arrive. I learn that mail is not carried by this boat to N.Y but put off at Key West and goes up by rail so you will get this soon. It is not far to Panama. Please accept my collective letter as one for you. I must go to dress now. I sent it to Mother She will deliver it to the office. Lovingly indeed! C.C.C. R.M.S. "EBRO." 5 March 1923 Dear friend Clara A hasty line from me on the Ebro. And enclosed some newspaper cutting from Lima. Well surely Lima was a grand surprise. It is a beautifull old city full of history. The oldest university of N. and S America - San Marcos. CCC was asked to speak in that historic point, which thrilled her much. In fact she gave 5 speeches in 5 days. Wonderfull. How can I describe the Hotel Maury. I wish I had your whit and the talent of turning tie drawing. 2 In this Country people do not like nor need air. They offered us a room with a window leading to the corridor. There we refused finally we got a room together. it had a double bed but we managed to get an extra bed put in. One window in the room which was called salon - dark dirty miserable - even bars before the window - door of glass. then glass door leading to bedroom. from there 3 steps down into a sort of balcony with windows to the street. No curtains This balcony was supposed to be our bathroom without a bath of course. It really was screamingly funny. and we surely gave the nabours many treats of nudity! The mattresses 3 smelled-the closets dirty. oh what a dreadfull place. Still as we were taken off sightseeing from 9 in the morning we only were in our rooms for the night which was bad enough as we did not much sleep. A charming Americain Colony-which showed all possible [?]. Captain Treyer from the Naval Commission and his wife did wonders, it was absolutely through her that CCC accomplished so much in Lima. Oh the Americains we met all along were so nice. Luckily [?] Lenney did not come along and we met her on the Ebro. The hate between Peru and Chili is dreadfull 4 The President where we visited was Charming. We Saw Pisaro's chair in the Palace It was very hot these days. CCC got very tired but feels splendid and full of pep. I love her still!!! Now we have done S. America and only have Panama and then we sail to Europe. Hope to get good accommodation on a Dutch line. We got your letter Fancy it being so difficult to get passage to Europe now. Now my dear that's all today I am afraid it is a hurried account, but better short than none. My love and affection Always your Dutiful Rosa Hotel Tivoli Ancon, Canal Zone March 13, 1923 Well Clara dear this will be the last note from this part of the world. Thanks so much for your letter with the clippings you really are a brick to have written so regularly. I just loved your letters. Well many more things have happened. We were nicely received at Babbor when we got in with the Ebro. but as we wanted to Cross the Panama Canal we went in on the Ebro and got to Christobal in the evening. Had a lovely room in the Washington Hotel which we were very sorry to leave the next morning. We went hunting for Steamship 2 accomodation for Europe, and to our luck I had cabled for reservation on the dutch steamer. If not I do not think we could have managed to go to Europe at all. We now take an excursion steamer - and will go to see many interesting places. Curacao- etc. Will tell you about it later. All the steamers seem to be overcrowded as well to Europe as to U.S. The fleet is down here just new and the town is overcrowded with navy men. Mrs Calvo is charming very clever and capable however she is not quite so fit --- As ---- she secretly told me she is going to have a Baby. She is married over 6 years and now this seems to be a very great event to her. Hotel Tivoli Ancon, Canal Zone 3 So she must be specially carefull. We had a charming tea at the President's wife the day of our arrival, then a lovely tea here Mrs. C spoke at Mrs South's the wife of the American Ambassador, whom you probably know. On Friday we were at a grand reception which the President gave in honor of the navy. And to day we shall go for a special call at the Presidents So you see we shall be even more stuck up than you will know. Oh my dear I am so thrilled that everybody really makes such a fuss of our beloved Chief. She is a wonder and certainly keeps going remarkably at the space 4 we do. Our Hotel here is not very first-class but it seems better for the Cause that we are in a Panamanian Hotel and not at the Tivoli which is an Americain So for the great cause we just suffer at finding at least four flees each day.. We are getting quite clever in catching them Since it is all for the women we don't mind. We are longing now to get down to Christobal and to get clean rooms once more. Your order has been executed and both Bertha Lutz and Mrs Calvo got their unexpected dollar back. Dont you think we are very smart? Our cloth look like the devil, everything Hotel Tivoli Ancon, Canal Zone 5 is faded and dirty; although I try to make new lace collars and fronts for C C. as fast as I can and I also wash and iron when necessary. We shall be pleased to be cleaned up in Paris. Mrs. Calvo has started an organisation here with 45 members and I think they will continue well. I have taken quite a number of pictures and you will like them. Miss Babcock made very good ones and I will have them quite fixed in order when I have Mrs. Catt so she will come home with everything as good in shape as possible. However not nearly as good as Clara would have done it I managed to keep track of the clippings as much as possible. The Climate here is very pecular. boiling hot in the day time and then at four it Cools off with a lot of mud and at night it get quites Cool. Now dear girl au revoir I wish you were coming to Rome. I do want to see you again. Love and lots of it from R. Dutchie April 2nd 1923 Beloved Chief: -- I just this moment receive your letter mailed from Curacao. There is a steamer (the Saxonia) sailing to-morrow that touches Plymouth by which this letter goes and will catch your boat there on April 10th as a precaution I am sending a copy care of Hotel Maurice at Paris. This is to reassure you that MGH is a great deal better. I shall go down to the office to verify this report this morning, and if there is anything further to say you can be sure that I shall have another letter by this summer telling you the particulars. As I told you in another letter that you will receive at Plymouth, I have not seen her for a week but I did speak with her on the telephone and she told me then that she was much better. I have my own notion of what went wrong with her when she went to bed a second time. I think it was the ordeal of giving up the actual leadership in the League, plus all the collateral bickerings that preceded it. It is really an awful letdown for a woman of her temperament. To have been the kingpin for so many years, and then have the bottom drop out of your kingdom (no matter how you may steel yourself against it) was an ordeal for her. I was at the City League Convention the day she abdicated. She did look bad, and it probably was the best thing she could do to go to bed and be away from everyone except her very close friends. Then she is practically losing Mabel, which is another knockout blow. Mabel remains on with Mrs. Slade, You probably know this. But I think things with her will be distinctly on the mend from now on. She left the hotel the last day of March and went to Mrs. Grizelle's over Sunday. For two weeks she will be at the City Club, and by the middle of April she will be at the farm with your cousin Helen Jones. She is eager to go, and getting things started there will help a lot. She was lonely without you, there's no doubt, especially in the trying days following the convention. I am quite sure there is nothing to worry about. If there is I shall tell you truly. Fortunately she asked me to see her some time this week to talk over some of your business affairs, and I can make that a good excuse to go to 171 this morning. I have carefully noted all you say in case of eventualities, and shall of course keep it confidential. Do take the utmost care of yourself. I hate the idea of your "summer" cold. They are very treacherous affairs. Your program of work between now and the Rome opening sounds ghastly, and I wish with alll my heart I were there to be legs and arms for you. Rosa must be a wondrous comfort to you, but you could easily use three Rosas. I know she will have a sharp eye out for Italian germs while you are in Rome, sleeping with only one eye till you are out of the danger zone. You will understand that all is well unless you get a later letter than this in the batch you receive in Plymouth. This is the last and I am taking it to the postoffice with my own fair hands. Lovingly, Recd April 21 On the Venezuela April 8, 1923 Mark at Plymouth Apr 10 My dear Clara: I told [?] Hay that I asked you for these figures. I want to ask a favor when you can will you tell me how much I paid for my ticket to [Rome] Naples, how much I paid for the Almangora ticket. We had to pay 5 pounds more for it than they at first said, but I donot remember whether I paid that in London or whether you paid it in N York. Also what did the vises and passport cost. If possible I want the S.A vises in one sum the passport and other vises in another. Since I have made up my account for the So American trip and cannot make it complete without the above items which I have forgotten. The S American trip exclusive of vises and counting $450 for the Almangora which is rather more than it cost, comes to about $2600 and is less than I feared it would be. The trip has been interesting enlightening and sometimes enjoyable but never very comfortable. The girls say I'm a good sport for an old lady. Ive had the responsibility and the hard work and I've written 15 articles for the Citizen I left home with 19 dresses. Mollie thought that an enormous quantity. I have now just 4 that I could wear in decent society and two are evening dresses! So in Paris I must pause and try to get something suitable for the president of a [wondrous]? cause to wear. If I were a misses size like you I could do it but a woman who has projections where there should be hollows and hollows where there should be projections is likely to meet trouble. Rosa had the most and [?] the nicest clothes, Miss Babcock always looked the best, Mrs Van Lernup thought she did and I came fourth on the list whichever the order. None of us measured up to the standard of So America altho we approached it when we arrived. By the time we reached the West Coast we looked like four scrubs. We have not been very happy on this ship. It is small and crowded. The redeeming features are that the food is exceptionally good and the beds excellent. Rosa and I have roomed together. There has been no place to put our things - not even a drawer and we have been drenched twice. All the things had to go to the drying room and stay there for two days! One man getting off the boat at the next post pulled his trunk near the the middle of his cabin and had it about packed when in came a wave that filled the trunk half full! That is worse luck than we have had. They tell us we can hope for no improvement in weather It has rained for four days and there are two more ahead We roll and we pitch and we roll again and there has been no place to work much comfort; yet, I have made up the account for So America, written my diary, mailed 3 of the Citizen articles, sent a report of SA Councils to Lady Aberdeen and for suffrage [organiz ation?] Headquarters in London, and --------- my address for the Congress!! which Rosa is pounding out on her Corona. Now I call that a good record and I am proud of it. Lovingly, Carrie C Catt Items of Expense European-South American Tour Passage to Naples (Giulio Cesare) 420.00 War Tax 5.00 425.00 Fee to McCann's man for special accommodation 10.00 Passport 10.00 Visae England - - - 10.00 Italy - - - - 10.00 France - - - 5.00 25.00 You look ed after the other visae in Europe Passage to Rio Janeira (Almanazora) 346.50 (The extra 5 pounds was paid in London) Visae Brazil - - - - 2.20 Uruguay - - - 1.00 Argentine - - - - 2.60 Chili - - - 1.50 Peru - - - - 5.00 12.30 Equitable Trust Co Cost of personal Letter of Credit ($1000) 5.00 " " joint " " ($ 500) 2.50 American"Express Co. Cost of checks ($ 500) 3.75 11.25 Equitable Trus Co. 40.05 Cost of Letter of Credit (Leslie) ($5000) 25.00 " " " " " " ($5000) 25.00 50.00 $90.05 Floater Insurance On clothes etc. 40.00 " jewelry 68.00 108.00 Visiting Cards President I W S A (100) 12.60 3390 April 23, 1923 Dear Chief: - It took eleven days for your letter to reach me from Plymouth. I got it late Saturday, and the information you want goes by the Berengaria sailing to-morrow (Tuesday). I am including also the cost of the letters of credit, xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx floater insurance, and the cost of your official card as President of the I W S A. It seems to me they are all part of the expense account. At any rate you will know what these items are. I hope you received all the mail that was addressed to you and Rosa at Plymouth. I wrote to Bellamy & Co. to see that it was sent aboard the Venezuela there, but I have not heard that it was done. You poor babes babes in the woods. I can imagine how glad you both were to touch dry land again. One of the transatlantic liners that arrived yesterday reported an awfully rough voyage. Father Neptune has apparently adopted a permanent program of treat 'em rough. It seems to me that millions are going abroad. Every week there is an average of from 5000 to 10000 sailing. All the business oracles are crowing about our prosperity. The sailings seem to bear out their diagnosis. The Women's Pro League Council are doing good work at their Fifth Avenue shop. The silver tougned sic Bryan will speak for them to-morrow. Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Slade, Mrs. Laidlaw, Mrs. Vanderlip, Mrs. Tuttle, and that whole bunch are plugging hard on this job. I daresay the Paris wardrobe is a dream. The rest of your bunch might have had a mightier outfit than you in South America, but believe me were you in sackcloth they would need something mighty glittering to make it safe to stand in proximity to the sun. Saying which, I think it is time to retire. Always devotedly P.S. You didn't say in your letter how you were feeling, and that little miserable Rosa sent me no word either. All that you accomplished on board ship to Europe was enough to kill a strong man, but I'll bet it was a great relief to be able not only to come up for air but to stay up. With the President's address and your big reports off your chest, the worst last week over. Mrs. Jones. She is not expecting to come in till about May 1st. The weather is warming up and being out- doors will do her a lot of good I'm sure. She seemed allright when she left the city. IX Congresso dell Alleanza Internazionale Pro Suffragio Femminile Roma: Maggio 1923 April 28, 1923 Dearest Clara I am quite ashamed of myself for not having written to you for ages. But It seemed quite impossible, just as impossible, as it will be in the future weeks. However at this moment C C C is rearranging her speech and an expert typist is getting it ready for her. I seem to have a few minutes free. It was such a great treat to get your charming letters at all the different possible places, and I am gratefull to you. Well we landed in Harve in due time and got into Paris. There we raced around like anything to get our clothes into shape in a week. As I had splendid addresses from very good friends who live there, we really managed beautifully. Although everywhere we went they told us blue was not the fashion. We managed to have five hats with blue for the chief. Two new blue dresses Oh no 3 and everything is very satisfactory. She is as proud as a peacock and can hardly wait to get on her new things. My mother, Tallie who could not wait any longer, came to spend a week with us in Paris. They came in the Pearce Arrow, so that was a great delight. Father took us to the finest restaurants to lunch and dinner and CCC loved it and enjoyed the delicious food so much. Especially as they had a cavalier to pay -2- the bills. One evening we took her to the Canno de Paris a most shocking real Paris Veau de ville with a quantity of naked women; she had never seen any thing like that I think it was good for her education. In the meantime we worked hard at the corresponsdence of the Alliance which poured in. On Monday 23rd we arrived in a beautiful comfortable train de luxe here and have been very busy. The headquarters have not done anything more for the program nor for the amendments so the Chief had to start from the beginning. She is working like hell. However she is in very good health, looks very well and feels so happy at the idea she will soon be released from it, but in her heart I think she will feel it dreadfully as after all the whole Alliance is Miss Catt and no one else feels the spirit and knows all about it. Everybody is in despair and they do not know who to have. Mrs. Schluemberger wants to be it, but she is really impossible. Too old. Too Slow. Too French. Although it was first planned that Mrs. Catt should come home with me for a week and then sail from Holland she now decided to take the Bulargaria ( former Turperator) on the 26th and will be home the 1st of June. Although I would have loved to cuddle her up for a week at our lovely country home in Holland I can quite imagine the Chief is so longing to get home to her dear farm--her dear friends that I try not to be disappointed. I have had her for 8 lovely months and I ought to be gratefull. Well, Clara you know I am. Every minute has been a delight for me, and I think the Chief does not regret too much having had me. -3- We really have had such a good time. Laughed. Laughed sometimes dreadfully. The chief looks so happy and well and I do hope she will return looking as she does now. If the Congress won't take it all out again. She can't stand quite as much as formerly; and gets so over tired after a hard days work. However then we have nice little dinner up in our setting room and we are quite happy. The Congress will be very well attended. Bertha Leets is on her way as Gov: delegate! Tonight the Chief and I are going to see Numoline. -4- Yesterday historic pictures have been made of her. with the Colosseum in the background. The Arc of Titus, etc, etc. They are splendid you shall have one, Clara and so will Mary Peck. In Paris I had ripping fotos made of her and do hope you will like them. I ordered quite a good deal. Say this much I at last got the press pictures you sent me in September. So I use them here. Thanks again for all your letters dearest Clara. I enjoy every bit of it and so does C C C. We now talk about our next trip, she seems full of pep and so am I. Do write to me when you have seen her -5- and tell me what you think of her. She bought heaps of paintings and fotos to be framed for the farm. I will send this letter off now as otherwise it may never go. I am so busy but love the work. Goodbye dear girl, I wish you were coming. My love for always, Your Dutchie HOTEL QUIRINAL ROME (5) Mrs. Nettie Sheeler To Clara Hyde re the Rome Congress of the International Alliance Wednesday A.M. May 8th.1923 My dear Clara:- I was glad to find your letter here when we arrived Monday A. M. Our train was late and we were, of course, tired. European travel, as you know, does not begin to be as comfortable as in the U.S.A. and we had almost no sleep coming down from Milan. Well, we have had so far an interesting but a strenuous time. we planned to come down thru the Lakes by easy stages, but it resolved itself finally in all day travel with stops at night at Lucerne, Stresa and Como. I am now all fed up on pictures _ that is paintings, statuary, and scenery_ mountains, brooks, Lakes, Valleys, and my education will be completed when I have taken in and digested these ancient tombs, mosques and Cathedrals. There is much to see here but I shall make no effort to see it all. Two cathedrals and I think two galleries, the Coliseum, Panetheon, etc will be all. Now I know first and formost that you want to hear about our beloved Chief. Well first and fore most she is well and very happy. I have never seen her so light hearted and gay as she is here. The lines of worry are all gone. Rosa is always cheerful and she keeps Mrs. Catt happy and that means a lot. If you could have seen her run thru the hall with Rosa you would not have believed that it could be Mrs. Catt. She is somewhat thinner but it is becoming. We had tea with them in their room Monday at 5:30. Then went for an automobile ride along the Appian Way. Mrs. Catt is having most of her meals now in her room. I have seen her only once since Monday and that just as she was leaving the hotel for the Palazzo Tuesday a.m. There are many people to see her, the Board Meetings begin today and she needs plenty of consideration shown her by the W.S. delegates as the foreigners just hang on her. Rosa is a good one to act as protector LESLIE WOMAN SUFFRAGE COMMISSION, INC. PRESIDENT CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRETARY AND TREASURER MARY GARRETT HAY ELEANOR BATES DIRECTORS DIRECTORS MRS. ARTHUR L. LIVERMORE . . . . NEW YORK MRS. RAYMOND ROBINS . . . . . . ILLINOIS MRS. PERCY V. PENNYBACKER . . . . TEXAS MRS. HARRIET TAYLOR UPTON . . . OHIO MRS. THOMAS B. WELLS . . . . . . NEW YORK TELEPHONE: 4818 MURRAY HILL 171 Madison Avenue NEW YORK, August 8, 1923. Miss Clara M. Hyde , 366 Madison Avenue , New York , N . Y . My dear Clara: That book is one I mentioned to Rosa. I told her I thought the title was "Her Secret". I did not know that was the title at all. It was a book someone loaned me on a steamer about ten years ago. I do not remember the author or the publisher and never owned the book. You had better tell her to go to. Everything out here is dried up forever. This is nice weather for City folks, but quite terrible on farmers. It has been hotter than Panama. I think Mary Gray Peck is coming to spend Sunday, August 26th. When I get her answer , I will let you know , for we are expecting you to pay us a visit at the same time. Thanks for the information about the coupons , etc. Lovingly yours, Carrie Chapman Catt President. New York, September 22, 1923 Dear Old Dutchie:- Well at last I am sitting down to write you. I have had you on my mind ever since I received your very very welcome letter written in July. If wishes were letters you would have had a thousand by this time, for I have thought of you at least a thousand times. I was waiting for things to shape up definitely before I should write, but they were very slow in the process, and are not completely definite yet. In the first place I don't know even now how I stand with Mrs. Catt's account, except that I have not got it up to the present. About ten weeks after she reached home she sent for me. It was to tell me that Mollie liked playing with her account and she did not want to take it from her yet. But later in the winter Mollie was going to Florida because the doctor warns her that she ought not to remain in New York another winter. I take it that means January, February and March. I told Mrs. Catt that it was allright, except that I was in the awkward position of having let it be known that I was to have her account and that the situation embarrassed me in consequence. She replied very emphatically - "You go right on telling them that you have my account ! " There is where the matter rests at present. She told me of her own plans. She leaves New York October 27th for a series of lectures across the country. Texas will be her last stop. From there she will go to Mexico and return direct to New York there she will be over the Christmas holidays. Then she leaves again for Cuba and the Central American States returning once more to New York. She will make a third start from here for Porto Rico, Haiti and Santo Domingo. On this trip she expects to take Mollie. Probably she would pick her up in Florida. Mrs. Catt gave me distinctly to understand that she expects to turn her account back to me again, but no definite time was set. Whether she will do it before she leaves the latter part of October or wait until her return around the holidays, I don't know. It is quite possible she might not even return for the holidays. In that case I don't know what would happen. From this you will see that the whole business is very much up in the air. Nothing is certain except that she has not yet revoked the power of attorney to act for her in case of Mollie's death. This she asked me to accept when she left for Europe last October. Of course I think Mollie is at the bottom of it all, and it is quite possible that she may stand permanently in the way of an arrangement between Mrs. Catt and me. I confess it has made me quite sad. I very rarely see Mrs. Catt nowadays. We have met probably half a dozen times since her return and she is usually quite busy at those times. She comes in from the farm very infrequently. Her time is pretty well occupied with preparing the lectures for her tour, and attending to other business. The firm will be closed the early part of October, and they will move in to the city on October 8th where they will be at Bretton Hall. After Mrs. Catt starts on her cross-country tour Mollie will remain on. She has a very intimate friend living there. I did apend one week-end at the farm. Mary Peck was there at the same time. The Chief looked very well most of the times while I was there. There were times when she looked very tired indeed. I saw her once since then (about two weeks ago) and she looked herself again. I wish withall my heart that you were making the tour with her. I don't like the idea at all that she is starting off alone. She really would like to have a 2 Roman Catholic woman who can speak Spanish for the Mexico trip. She had in mind a young woman of Mexico who attended the Pan American meeting in Baltimore. She told me that she was going to try to arrange for her assistance in Mexico, and if she finds her satisfactory she will suggest taking her along on the Central American States tour. This young woman made a great impression on me at the Pan American meeting. She is young, an excellent speaker and speaks English quite fluently from the platform. She can't be more than 25 - at least she looks no more than that. She is a very clever person for her age and may prove very valuable as an interpreter. She was one of the five delegates chosen by the Mexican Government for the Pan American meeting. The last I heard from the Chief there was not even a single bidder for the farm- and it is in the hands of six dealers. This was the news when I spent the weekend there. I doubt whether there will be an inquiry for it now before next spring. It is too bad to have the thing drag along as long as she has definitely decided to dispose of it. My own idea is that it will be difficult to sell at the figure she is asking, which is a good deal less than what she has spent on it for improvements. It is a good deal of a burden financially, and the help question is a vexing one. A good deal smaller area and a place nearer to New York would be much more suitable. But I imagine that Mollie will always be an irritating factor in any plan for a home that isn't right in the midst of New York City. I can't help thinking that the help question might be a very much easier one to handle is Mollie didn't enter into the game. The Chief told us a good deal about the Rome Congress while we were at the farm - and she showed us a good many of the photographs that you took. I was anxious to see a photo of the Congress itself, but she was not able to find any of the Rome pictures at the moment. Have you an extra photo of the Congress that you could let me have? I would be only too glad to pay for it. I was so glad to get your snatcky sketch of the Congress, even though it was limited on account of having to be conveyed by letter. Your experience at the election was certainly not very pleasant, and you did right when you withdrew from the Luisi contest. I have wished a dozen times that you were here to talk the whole business over with me, and I would be so glad to get your impression of the future of the International since you attended the London Board meeting. I don't wonder that Mrs. Ashby was distressed because she might be deprived of your aid - and I am very glad that a way was found to have your help anyhow. Do let me know how things are progressing with the Alliance, since after Mrs. Catt leaves I shall have no means of knowing, and I am most interested in it. I am glad for one thing and that is that Mary Sheepshanks is again in charge of the International News. The Alliance lost a very able woman when she left. An international-minded editor is a rare bird indeed, and Miss Sheepshanks is one of the breed par excellence. To have her back at the editor's desk is one ray of hope anyhow. Before I forget it, let me say that I am sending you under separate cover a copy each of the September Current History Magazine and the September Good Housekeeping Magazine. They both contain an article by Mrs. Catt which I know you would like to have. There have been no press comments of any moment since the last I sent you. And as you get the Woman Citizen you know what she is saying there. She is speaking in Brooklyn on October 25th before the Institute of Arts and Sciences, and in New York on the 26th before the Federation of Women's Clubs. If the papers report her speeches I shall send them to you - but it is quite likely they will not unless she says something very striking. There is so much going on in this monstrous sized city that only the strking events are chronicled. 3. By the way, I was extremely interested in a striking comment you made about South America. You said: "I think it is a pity for Mrs. Catt to spend more energy on those people there, as I really do not think they like to be interfered with". You explained that this was only your personal feeling. I forgot to mention this subject to Mrs. Catt. In fact I am glad I did not because I know that shortly after she returned she was in cable communication with Buenos Aires to fix a date for the next Pan American Congress. She told me at the time that they had been working back and forth on this matter for more than a month and still nothing definite had been settled. When I saw her at the farm the matter was still without settlement. I wondered afterwards whether perhaps your impression might not be the right one, and that they really don't want anyone in from the outside. If you ask me, I think they will be the biggest fools on earth to pass up such an opportunity as Mrs. Catt affords them. True, they may not be worth the trouble in view of what you say about them. Nevertheless, in the long run, it will be worth all that Mrs. Catt can give them to push and shove them ahead even if they straggle along reluctantly. The South American woman movement is deplorably backward as a whole, and tho the rest of us are going ahead, they will remain a drag even to our progress until they get the urge to press forward themselves. Nobody can do that better than the Big Chief. She can start them along the right path as no one else can, and I hope with all my heart that she will stay by the job. It is a fitting new chapter to the glorious volume she has already written on the heart of the world - and I say more power to her in the big new task. And I hope that you will be with her at the next Pan meeting to be her strong right hand man. It is just like you to offer to be at her side whenever she should call, and I know she appreciates your warm heart and help very much. Your picture in a nice frame stands on the dining room mantle at the farm. Ethel Snowden's another favorite, stands on the opposite side of the mantle. So you see you are enthroned in very choice company. I saw your report in the last number of the International News, but I have not had time yet to read it. Well, I have gone over this town with a fine tooth comb to try to dig up a copy of "My Secret" as you called it. The result was nil. In desperation I finally asked the Chief about it. She said it was hopeless to try for it, because she had read it about ten years ago and that some one on ship board had loaned it to her at that. It might have been published in any English speaking country. Besides that, the name of the book is "Her Secret" While I was on the hunt I made life miserable for every publishing house in New York. I truly wish that you were coming over in October with your brother and his wife. Needless to say that I shall be delighted to have them look me up. I am surprised that your sister-in-law is coming again. She was so very homesick and lonely the last time that she threatened not to come soon again. Won't your parents be willing to lose you again for this comparatively short trip? Mrs. Shuler has been doing some political work for the Republican Party since her return from Europe. But next week she will be at headquarters finishing up some work that she dropped to go to the Congress. It will not take her very long to do this. I shall probably see her next week and lear what her future plans are. I was lunching at the City Club to-day and saw Marjorie there. She is the same old girl. I was working hard at my own business, and while I have not yet attained the goal I set for myself, I am very well satisfied with the way things are shaping. I have been obliged to cut out all small clients because it does not pay to have them- and aim at big accounts. I have one very large one (a man with an income of $100,000 a year) and several very good prospects which will work out successfully before very long. I enclose a copy of what my hundred thousand dollar man says about me. I was a little handicapped by the fact that I did not get Mrs. Catt's account immediately upon her return. In the sure expectation that I was to have it, I had taken a very good looking office in a very good location and building. With her business and the business I already had, I expected to go thru the dull summer season very well. The change of plans made the expense heavier than I had counted on. I would not of course have taken the step had I thought the plan was not to go through. However, it could not be helped, and it will come out allright in the long run. I am very hopeful of final success and satisfaction in the understanding. The payers here were full of Wilhelmina's Jubilee. It must have been a very exciting and eventful week for all the rest of Holland as well as the queen. She appears to be much beloved and admired. Well Rosa dear, I know how busy your summer must have been, what with your political activities, your Alliance duties, your clubs and social affairs, as well as the home duties and summer pleasures and guests and children's calls on your time. It looks like an increasingly interesting life ahead for you. Now that you have had a taste of travel beyond the seas I am sure your hunger for it will grow, and that you will not be satisfied unless it can be gratified, especially as you are able to spend money for it in a way that will add service to the pleasure that you are sure to get out of it. Well, here's hoping that you may add to your growth by it mentally, morally, spiritually, but by no means physically! You are fat enough now. Oh, by the way, do you think you would be able to get me another purse like the one Mrs. Catt brought home for me from Paris, when the one I have wears out. I use it constantly that I fear it won't answer my constant prayer to it to live forever. I never had such a useful instrument, and don't know what I would do without it. I guess this is enough for one dose. I shall be anxious to hear from you about the London meeting, and any other items of interest. Meantime, remember me very warmly to your brother and sister-in-law, also to Dr. Jacobs, and accept a large package of love from Your very warm friend, Rosa Manus Baarn Holland July 2rth 1923 My very dearest friend Clara: - Yesterday when I arrived home from a day in town, I found your most delightful letter for which I had been pining for so long. Still I know what a busy Lady you are so I will forgive you. The short note also reached me so I was expecting the letter to come. Oh my dear it was such a delight to get it and all the clippings too, thank you ever so much and send me all you can spare. I am real pleased you liked the presents the chief brought you yes of course I helped her choose them. As for the pocket book I fully agree, I never saw a more useful and better looking one combined. I had a simelar one for over a year and it was my steady companion all these months and Mrs. Catt like it so much. At once when we got to Paris I bought her one and she was so pleased with it, that she immediately got one for all her dear friends. And the billfold is a jem. I was presented with a blue one just like yours and I use it every day. As I have had a very long letter from my stepmother I had already heard about their plans of selling the farm. It really seems true, that they have so much trouble with their help, and of course to keep a place like that running costs a good deal. At the other hand I think it a great mistake for Mrs. Catt to sell it as she is so very fond of it. I wrote her so in my last letter, Of course Mollie never liked the farm and always wanted to sell it. But surely Mrs. Catt cannot be without a home. Even if she intends to go travelling again she must have the feeling she has her home waiting for her whenever she wants to go to it. I hope by now Mrs. Catt has given you once more her business to attend to, I know it was her intention to do so and I am almost sure, nobody can make her change her wishes on that point. She thinks the world about you and thinks you a wonderful girl and she always says, that without you she could never have done all the things she did do. You never tell me how the business is getting on have you any real customers? Do write to me about it in your next letter. I am real interested in all your doings. The Colloseum picture must have been about May 4th or 5th. I like it very much and also the one of both of us in Paris. The funny part of that picture was, that I had no intention at all to have mine taken and did not dress or do my hair. Then all at once the woman who took the picture said to me: oh you go and stand there I want to get a picture of both of you. Now of course I am very pleased to have it. Rosa Manus Baarn Holland 2. So after all accounts it now stands, that I have only a few $ left. and if I want you to do more errants for me I will have to open another bank account for you. Clara I am absolutely bubbling over with all the things I would like to tell you and what I would like to discuss with you, but it seems utterly impossible to do it all in such a silly letter. In Rome certainly there were some dramatic moments. The Chief was wonderful and never lost her self control. The evening when about 32 countries came up in her sitting room to urge her to remain the President, was real tragic and at the same time so beautiful. Every one was so earnest in their wish and they made such ripping and heartbreaking speeches I wish you could have been present. The Chief then said....please friends do not say another word as I cannot endure any more. But, she said, I am determined I will not take the Presidency any more. I feel I am getting older and cannot work as hard as I used to do, so I think it better that a younger woman now takes the responsibilities. In one way of course I think CCC did the best thing, as really she has served for over twenty years and the years which are coming she then at least can do what she likes without having to think always about the duties of the Alliance. on the other hand I think it is dreadful to thing of the Alliance without Mrs. Catt. It is her child, her work and no one in the world has the same feeling nor the same capacities to carry on the work. There is not one person who really knows all details and who takes the same interest. The speech which Mrs. Catt made the last morning was ripping, and I and many others regret, that it was not taken down in short hand. I personally had some very nasty things in Rome. When Mrs. Catt and I returned from S. America we learned in France, that the French wanted me to stand for election on the next Board. Now I must say, then every time they had asked me in former years to stand, I had always refused, as I thought I could be just as useful behind the scenes and so I remained in my capacity as President of the Committee of Arrangements for the Board and Congresses. In Rome then I learned, that Holland had also put me up as their candidate and some more of the countries. I had really been very much pressed and many of the people pretended, that I knew more of the inner Alliance matter than a great many others. I talked the matter over at length with CCC and she very much wanted me to go on the Board. Although I really did not wanted it finally let myself be talked over. So I stood. Holland had decided, that under no circumstances they would allow any other Dutch member to stand. 3. Rosa Manus Baarn Holland Then the election day came, and I will secretely tell you, but this must remain between you and me, that the election was miserably conducted. There were some people who worked for people behind the scenes. And during the election we learned, that another dutch delegate was also on the voting list. None of the dutch delegates knew of this and they all were mad about it and said that only Miss Manus from Holland should stand. However although this person was asked by the election Com. to withdraw, she would not, and thus the votes for Holland were devided. It then came, that I and Dr. Luisi from Uruguay had to have a reelection. I was so disgusted with every thing, that in the evening I said to Mrs Catt, that I was going to withdraw and would not go in for another election. Mrs. Catt at first did not agree to this but finally she said, that if she were in my place she would do the same. So Rosa Manus from Holland withdrew. But oh Clara, there the storm began. Holland, France, United States, Great Britain, Germany and many of the other countries came to me and were disgusted with me and mad. They even worked up something behind me and spoke about it from the platform. I however did not consent and although I was much honored and felt flattered by all, did not want to serve on a Board which had been elected under unfair circumstances. Poor Mrs. Ashby felt awful about it as she had so hoped, I would be her great support and help on the Board. In the first Board meeting of the new Board they unanimously nominated me to come on the Headquarters Committee. They came with that message to me in Rome before leaving. I did not want to do it as I now felt so relieved to be out of it all. They begged me to reconsider and not give my final decision. So after some weeks I got an official letter again begging me to do it. At the same time I learned, that Mrs. Ashby was ill with phlebitis in her arm. Dr. Jacobs who was just at that time staying with me then, said I had to accept it for the Alliance sake. So Clara I put all personal feelings aside and promised to go to the Boardmeeting in London. I really am so real fond of the Alliance and would hate to see it go to pieces. However I do not see I can do much to prevent it. Of course I can give some suggestions and it is true, that I do know many things in the Alliance in which I have worked with our dear Chief closely for so many years. So I will now see how the proceedings are going and if it will be possible to work with Mrs. Ashby and the other members of the Board. So Clara now I have told you a little story, though it is only in brief, and many more things could be said about it, this I will keep when we shall next meet. I still live in the happy memories of our delifhtful trip and often look over my pictures and read through my diary. Really it was a glorious time and CCC and I really have learned to love each other under all circumstances. 4. Rosa Manus Baarn Holland It was really such a privilege for me to be with her constantly all these months and I really tried to do what I can for her, although you know yourself Clara, that one can not really do much for her as she wants to do most things herself. I have promised her whenever she would like me to take another trip with her I shall be delighted and I shall always be at her disposal. On the other hand if CCC would want to take some one else along she must never feel she is tied up with me. I love her dearly and will always be ready at her first call, when she needs me. She knows it and I think will act accordingly. My family were of course very delighted to have me back, but you know not one of them takes a real interest in my work, and that I miss very much. So I am gently preparing, that some day I will go off again. I think it is such a wonderful experience for me and do not want to miss it if I can help it. In Amsterdam they are trying to errect a clubhouse and they are trying to get me on the Board. I do not know quite what to do, as I do not want to tie myself up to much, as then it is always so much more difficult to go away. About the next Pan American Congress nothing is decided yet, I for myself do not think they really want one and I do not think it will be possible to get it ready by next May. I think it is a pity for Mrs. Catt to spend more energy on those people there, as I really do not think they like to be interfeered with. This of course is my personal feeling. Whenever you have been with the Chief and have had the chance to get areal good old talk with her I want to know all about it. My brother and his wife are going to New York the 9th of October so I expect you will see them some day. Mrs. Catt told me about a little book she read and it was called; "My secret" she did not remember by whom it was written, but if by any chance you run across it I would love to have it and then please let CCC sign it for me. Dear Clara I really hate to close this letter but I fear you will have to take an extra holiday to read all this rubbish. So I better close for today. Thank you again a thousand times for your dear letter and the sweet things you say about me, it really made me blush. But if feels good to have a dear friend like you. My love and good luck to you always your Old dutchie Rosa [Oct 23] My dear Clara: I went to a man whose name I got from Mrs. Shuter. She could give it again. I shall never go to him again if I can find a woman. My woman left town! Miss Waldhas been here three days. She copied my speech and I dictated 80 letters and an article for the Citizen. That wasn't bad but I did not get through my pile. I should say there must be 80 more. Will be in Oct 8 caring for life near Broadway. Hastily Carrie C Catt Yes, I have your copy of the letter but now its gone to town with the great unanswered. Someday you will get it. Leslie Woman Suffrage Commission, Inc. Vice President President Secretary and Treasurer Mary Garrett May Carrie Chapman Catt Gratia Goller Directors Directors Mrs. Winston Churchill, New Hampshire Mrs. Raymond Robins.....Illinois Mrs. Arthur L. Livermore... New York Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton....Ohio Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker.... Texas Mrs. Thomas B Wells.....New York Telephone: 4818 Murray Hill 171 Madison Avenue New York My 100 cards is about 99 too many on a day when I'd rather do something else than address them! May 1924 bring you health (continued) courage (renewed) and prosperity (increased). We will go to Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hinda but do not start before Jan 26. Meanwhile I have several detours of the speaking variety and quite as busy as I ever was. I'll see you soon. Lovingly, Carrie C Catt May 1924 be the happiest year in your life. Carrie Chapman Catt October 3, 1923 Dear Chief: - Thanks for your letter. I tried Mrs. Shuler first for the chirop's address, but she was out of town at the time. I have since gotten the address from her. I would not have added to your letters except that my friend's pedals were in a very bad way and she needed help. The copy of the Atlanta & Savannah Ry. report is of no consequence except as a record in the event you wanted me to do more about it. I did not want any of the details to escape me in that event. Too bad you must come to town so early in such a lovely month. I hear you are taking Ruth Pennybacker with you en tour. Mrs. Cotnam of Arkansas told me. She was here for a few days with her daughter on holiday and I met them on the street. Ruth is an awfully nice girl. I will peek in at the office after October 8th. Always yours to command at any hour - day or night. Lovingly Old Sec. Rosa Manua Baarn, Holland 8 Oct 1923 My dearest Clara, In returning from a meeting of the Headquarters Committee from London, I found your so long wished for letter, but the long wished was real real long and lovely. Clara dear I appreciate your real good fellowship to me and I feel just like hugging you for it. I can so well understand in what difficult position you are about the CCC bunnies. I wish I was there to push matters in a straight direction. However, do not despair. All will come right. But as you say, your special friend will do all she can to make it impossible. She really seems to be in a poor condition. I am so pleased that I get regular news from my beloved stepmother. She really keeps me posted and writes long long epistels. -2- I am very worried at knowing her going off alone. She really ought not to, and I blame all of you for letting her go by herself. Sure someone nice could go who would not worry her. She says she will try Mildred Adams for Central America as she speaks Spanish. What do you think of her? What is she like? No deffinate answer from Buenos Aires had come yet, but it will soon I suppose. Mother Cate needs me to go with her and after that she has planned much together with me in Europe. So I live in hopes for next year. I really could not leave my home and family again. However, I absolutely told her that after all she does need me at any moment this visit I shall be ready to go. She bears it in mind but she wrote: "it won't hurt you to be home a bit" and she is right. Now about the International Alliance. I have been to two of the Headquarters meetings lately they are not very [?]enting meetings but it seems that -3- I am the only pushing one of them all. I don't know why but I always seem to think of something new that ought to be done. Mrs. Ashby is trying very hard. She is a nice girl with others I have been friends for 15 years but....you never get damn for her. She has one hundred jobs at hand and wants to please everybody. She has a good head and is clever. She has been most unfortunate as she first had phlebitis in her arm, and now lately has had an operation. So that is real unlucky. Mrs Catt wanted them to take up the Civil Code in Europe, and the Board has all sorts to say against it. Then Mrs. C suggests a Congress of the Unenfranchised Countries, and the Board also votes that down. Now Mrs. Ashby and I are poking at that under another name. We feel there must be some gatherings next year in those helpless countries, like Spain, Greece, etc. 4 Mrs. Catt means to be there for it. So we shall do something. I will try and pick up Spanish and be able to speak it. Also Mrs. Ashby took me unexpectedly to one of her meetings and made me speak for half an hour about the Alliance. I did it and the audiance seemed quite thrilled. Well about the Alliance I can talk for days. So she thinks I can help her by speaking a bit. You know I want to help so if that pleases her alright. Clara, I do feel so strongly the responsability of the Alliance. Perhaps more than any of them, and that is why I shall stick by. We also want to go to Belgium and see if we cannot get a new [Socity] behind Mrs. Brigade who will join the Alliance and come to the Congress. You are so pleased, that Miss Sheep- shanks is the editor again. Well I cannot know if that is such a success. Certainly she is very International, but I think she does not feel much for the Alliance anymore, and seems to me it [?] [*ROSA MANUS*] 5 in public. So I am not sure she will be kept. However we know of a splendid one. Mrs. Bompas the headquarters secretary seems very capable and if only Mrs. Ashby will really lead her, things can go alright there. The difficulty however, with an {?} body is always that the Board members seldom attend meetings as they are too busy in their own country. They had a Board meeting in Geneva now and only 5 members were present. Still it was a good thing they met. Also in Geneva they visited Mr Thomas the Chief of the Laborer Bureau. He received them most cordially and asked them if they would like to appoint an official delegate at the next Congress Oct 25th. He asked if they had special mikes, and he would see they would be heard. 6 So then they appointed Mrs. Arenholt from Norway one of the Boardmembers who is an inspector herself and she will be sent by her Government as a delegate. So we shall be represented. Say Clara, I feel so proud I hardly know how to look. I had a special cordial invitation from the Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temais to come and stay with her at her historical castle in Scotland, but I did not accept as I really had to go home soon. I went to the Congress in London of the First Law Association. Miss Macmillan as President of the Con: on Nationality of married women "was invited to come and speak as an official from the Alliance and she took me as a Con. member. The president from Buenos Aides got ill on the way over and died in Liverpool so Lord Filliner presided. It was so interesting to hear those 7 men read their papers and all talk about the women's question as if all women had always been treated like men. The world has changed. Thanks dear so much for sending the Current History. I love it. The other magazine has not arrived I do hope it will come. Mother Catt says the farm is not sold and will not be so she is sure I will come and stay next year. I wonder if I shall? How nice of her to put my picture in such a nice place in the farm. Do you really think she loves her daughter? I know she adores Clara!! Last year about this time I was just going off to meet her. Every day of our journey is fully impressed in my mind yet. It certainly was wonderful. Mollie always writes most charming letters to me. She seems to like me, which is most remarcable. 8 My mother, Sister-in-law leave tomorrow on the Veendan. They stay in the Pennsylvania so you might ring her up. They love to see you. Whenever your Paris purse is worn out, I will replace it, but don't be afraid. I carry mine since two year daily And it is still good. So mind you let me know when it is going. I will bring it over myself. Any excuse is better than none. Did I tell you Dr. Jacob will be 70 years on the 9th of February. I am trying to collect some money for her as you will have heard she has lost all her money and we are keeping her. So do send me something for her. I do not want much. Just to show you think of her. So I want to send this letter off. I will not write more today. Here go my good wishes to you with all hopes for the future concerning CCC. Remember that my thoughts often wander to you so don't forget, Your Dutchie Let Henny know when and where the Chief speaks and make her go. November 20th, 1923 Dear Old Dutchie:- You may not hear from me as often as I would like to write, but I think of you many many times, you may be sure. I talked with your sister-in-law by telephone to-day, and quite incidentally learned that you had been laid up with rheumatism this last summer. I was awfully sorry to hear it, but she assures me that you are better now. I was fortunate enough to get tickets of admission for Mrs. Manus and myself to the Federation of Clubs meeting where Mrs. Catt received a medal. They were very difficult to secure, and Mrs. Catt was quite surprised that I had been able to accomplish it. I enclose a clipping about it showing our beloved Chief being decorated. Mrs. Manus has doubtless written you already about it. It is a decoration conferred by all the federated clubs of New York City. Now, I don't wonder you scold because Mrs. Catt is making her long continental trip alone. I think it is very bad too- and perhaps if you were here it would not be so. But she is a very sot lady, as you know. And it is hard to move her when she makes up her mind to something. Her trip is more than half over, and I have not heard how she is standing it. The engagements are so close together there would be no time to write except from sheer necessity. She no doubt writes to Mollie. She was very concerned about her when she left. I went to Brooklyn with her one night where she spoke the evening before she started on tour, and we had a long talk about things. You doubtless know that the Mexican trip is off and that Mrs. Catt will return to New York about the middle of December. She expects to start off again with Mollie in early January because Mollie can't stand the winters here any more without danger. The last is that they may go by slow stages along the southern route to California, stay there 2 during the worst eastern weather and then return in about April, probably going direct to the farm. That was the last plan when Mrs. Catt left for the West. There may be others since then that I don't know of. I think the Chief would really like to make the Central American tour, that is, visit the five republics in that area; also Cuba, Haiti and Santo Domingo. If she were not worried about Mollie I am sure that she would go. But Mollie doesn't want to go away alone, and the Chief fells that she ought to go with her under the circumstances. I have my own private notion that wintering in California with no special object in view will be a frightful bore to her. She is happiest only when she is working, and working hard, at something that means something. She told me that she will definitely tell Mollie, when she returns, that she is turning her accounts over to me. I suppose that will be about the first of the year. Mollie has trouble with her right arm and hand so that she is not able to use them very well. The doctor assured CCC, she tells me, that there is no danger of paralysis. It is better now, but Mrs. Manus says it is still bad. Mollie doesn't get about much in the cold weather- so I don't see much of her - in fact very little. I did meet her at a luncheon a few days ago, and it seemed to me that she looked fairly well. I still feel that Mollie will do all she can to prevent the Chief from giving me her business - so I am not counting my chickens till they're hatched. Christmas is coming along soon, and I recall the jolly time we had with the Chief during those happy days when you were here. It would be fun to have you here again. And you certainly ought to be here while the farm is at its best in summer, and while it is still unsold. Your family might be willing to let you run away again for a month. I don't know what the latest is from Buenos Aires, and whether the date has been set for the Congress. Somehow I think the whole South American situa- tion is a very delicate one in relation to the United States. One hears a good deal of rumbling dissatisfaction and hostility among the South Amer- icans against us. And I am wondering whether a Congress in the near fu- ture is sincerely desired under these conditions. I remember your own im- pressions on this score. In any case, if the Congress is held, I am de- lighted that you will be there with the Chief. December 18th, 1928 Rosa Dearest friend Clara - Your letter of November 20th reached me and I must say it gave me endless joy - It was interesting from the beginning to end and I read and reread it many a time. It is indeed so good to feel real friendship and I am so happy and proud to possess such very true ones at the other side of the big ocean. Henry and Emile arrived today - they both think you such a nice girl and Henry says - she wants me alone for quite a while to tell all she jabbered with you. Henry was so pleased to be at Mrs Catt's meeting it was kind of you to take her and clever of you to have seats in the first row. Yesterday I had a wonderful letter from my beloved stepmother from Kansas City fancy 10 pages all written by hand. She spent her first free Sunday on her trip to tell me all and everything. One day you must see what she write real sweet and loving. Still I hate the idea of her travelling alone; She said she spoke 34 times in 22 towns and one afternoon she was called 25 times to the telefone. Surely if she must take a companion she better take a telefone and messenger boy! 2 I now wonder where the two friends will go to this minute. I can understand Carrie is worried about Mollie as she really seems to be far from well. (Lucile thinks she must have had some stroke) But on the other hand I do think that our grand chief should do better than nurse a bad tempered woman like Mollie. If I were near I would even undertake that part and let the Chief do her work. She is only happy when doing great things and why should she not do them until she can no more. But I think our Chief has much work in her yet. She is a wonder. She wrote about an automobile road which was called Carrie Chapman Catt. Very nice!! Now at this moment I quite expect the Chief called you and said: Clara now please take my bunnies. do let me know at once if it is only half a live. Just now Mrs. Ashby spent 3 days with me. She spoke in 3 meetings in different towns, she did well. However she was almost dead after all the election worries. She again stood as a candidate for the liberals, but although she had 2000 more votes than last time, she did not get it. Clara honestly and truly, I think it wicked of her to try 3 Rosa and get in. How in the world could she be a M P and be a good President to the Alliance. I told Mrs. Ashby strongly what I thought of her and said it is absolutely impossible to do both. Mrs. Catt gave her a strong warning about this in Rome, but she won't listen and I am convinced will stand again at the next election which might turn up at any moment. I said to Mrs. Ashby she now must go around to the different countries and get herself as President into direct contact with the women. She now means to go to Germany, Belgium and France. She wants me to join her but honestly I do not feel I like to go on a trip with her. She is just the opposite of someone of my ideals. However I like Mrs. Ashby, admire her as a speaker but she turns with all winds and does not keep her mind nor body to one special thing. Therefore I really do not know what will become of the Alliance. 6 of the Boardmembers can only come to a meeting in August and the others do not appear very much more. I have been over to the Headquarters meeting a few times and try to push them and keep them alive. My soul is in the Alliance and we must keep Mrs. Catt's child in order and make it grow. 4 D Jacob is very needy. Did I tell you she fell ill one night when she stayed with me. I had to get a specialist and she is still in a nursing home. We hope to get her fixed up by the end of January as on February 9th she will celebrate her 70th birthday. We are collecting money and hope to make a nice fund. Doubtless I told you, that she has lost all her money and that 5 friends (I am one) are keeping her. Of course this is a heavy burden. Now we hope by raising some money, that this will allow her some extra's. I say Clara send me a few dollars too. I know you like and admire her. I have quite some International gifts and it makes it so much nicer if many join. Mrs. Catt promised me a cheque too. Ronka is surely a marvel she is like Jack in de Box always turns up in some way again. Please send me some clippings about the Foreign Policy luncheon where CCC speakt. I love all the clippings. I almost forget to send you my wishes for Xmas and the New Year. I hope the calender reached you and will get a place of honor on the desk. May the New Year bring you CCC's bunnies. Then Clara will be happy! There goes my love to you for now and always ta ta from Dutchie 26 Dec. 1923. My dear Clara, How nice of you to send me a few lines with so many good wishes. I was so pleased with it. You have always occupied a great place in one of the corners of my heart and I really love you from the time we met in San Francisco. Rosa is kind to tell me always the interesting pages of your letters, so I keep in touch with your doings and feelings. I shall also never forget how happy I felt when at my arrival in N. Y. in 1915, I saw your kind face to welcome me there. I hope sincerely that 1924 will be a happy year to you and that there will come an opportunity to meet you again. With my love and blessing, Affectionately yours Aletta H. Jacobs. [????] Halloh dear friend on the first day of 1924 here are my blessings to you. This morning your letter reached me. Thanks so much. I am now looking for the letter after your Xmas dinner; am delighted you are going at least bus there. Bravo to the Chief. Love and lots of it from Dutchie Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.