NAWSA Subject File Congressional Committees Mrs. Medill McCormick Chairman Mrs. Antoinette Funk Executive Vice-Chairman 419 Munsey Bldg. Members Mrs Sherman M. Booth Glencoe, Ill. Mrs. Helen H Gardener Washington, D.C. Miss Ethel M. Smith Washington, D.C. Mrs. Glenna Smith Tinnin Washington, D.C. Mrs. Laura Puffer Morgan Lincoln, Neb. Miss Jeanette Rankin Missoula, Mont. Allied Print 377 Trades Union Label Council Office National Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association Munsey Building Washington, D.C. 1913 Alaska White states, full suffrage; shared states, partial suffrage; dotted state, presidential, partial county and state, municipal suffrage; dark states, no suffrage. Telephone Main 3597 Officers National Association Dr. Anna Howard Shaw President Mrs. Stanley McCormick First Vice-President Mrs. Desha Breckinridge Second Vice-President Dr. Katherine B. Davis Third Vice-President Mrs. Susan W. Fitzgerald Recording Secretary Mrs. Orten H. Clark Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers Treasurer Mrs. Walter McNab Miller First Auditor Mrs. Medill McCormick Second Auditor January 18, 1915. To Mrs Bantlett Dear Madam: I am enclosing a copy of our analysis of the suffrage vote in Congress last Tuesday as given out for press pur- poses. I think you will be interested, however, in a still further discussion of the subject from the point of view of our national organization. More than one Member of Congress has congratulated us upon our "team work" with the districts in bringing out the vote, and I should like, therefore, to tell you some of the specific results of this work as they appeared in Washington. As you know, the Congressional Committee catalogues all the information it can obtain concerning Congressmen's atti- tude toward woman suffrage, either by interview or otherwise. Very frequently, however, the Member is non-committal, and in his district to bring him to a definite position. This, of course, is the reason for the congressional district organiza- tion we have urged, with the state congressional chairman and her district committeewomen. The vote the other day demon- strates conclusively the advantages of this plan. For instance: Of the Massachusetts congressmen, there were only 4 from whom the Congressional Committee had been able to obtain a pledge for the Federal amendment, although some were known to have favored suffrage in their own state. In response to our letter of December 12 to all state presi- dents and congressional chairmen, the Massachusetts chairman wired: "Letters and telegrams sent from constituents through- out the state, all districts covered." When the vote was taken 8 Massachusetts members, instead of 4, stood for the amendment. In the Tennesee delegation there were two men not un- friendly to suffrage who yet withheld their pledges for the amendment. In response to our letter the Tennessee suf- fragists undertook an active campaign of pressure upon these members, and one of them gave us his vote, making 4 from Tennessee. The Missouri vote was one of the most significant in the list. The committee's records from the last session were no longer applicable because the suffrage campaign in Missouri last fall had changed the situation. Therefore the dele- gation was recanvassed by the committee in Washington, while the Missouri organization applied pressure from home. The day before the vote the Missouri delegation held a meeting, discussed the question, and 11 out of 14 (not including Speaker Clark and one absentee), decided to vote for the amendment, in spite of that fact that suffrage had failed to carry at the November election in Missouri. Illinois, with a delegation of 27 in which there is one vacancy, gave 22 votes for the amendment, with 2 members paired in favor. In Illinois women do not vote for congress- men, though they do vote for president, and the maximum ad- vance count in favor was only 17. The peculiar political situation, however, combined with pressure from the Illinois Equal Suffrage Association and its branches, led this dele- gation like the Missouri delegation, to hold a meeting and decide to give us as nearly as possible a solid vote. Only two members voted against us. Pennsylvania, by congressional district work, saved several very doubtful votes in that state, and a similar thing is true of Michigan, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Wiscon- sin, Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey. In some states where the vote was not changed, it was found by members of the committee who interviewed the congressmen that the work was not lost, for they expressed themselves as embarrassed by the appeals from their constituents. I feel sure that you are rejoicing with us over the total vote our amendment received. Our full strength was not represented in the 174 votes cast for us, however. As you will note in our analysis, of the 46 members not voting, 12 were paired in our favor against 6 on the other side, and there is significance in the fact that so many from New York and Pennsylvania did not vote, for these states are in the midst of suffrage campaigns. It is interesting also that although the majority leader, Mr. Underwood, in his speech that day called upon democrats to stand by their caucus decision, 86 of those democrats disregarded the caucus and voted for us. Very sincerely yours, Antoinette Funk Vice Chairman. [E??s] Mrs. Medill McCormick Chairman Mrs. Antoinette Funk Executive Vice-Chairman 419 Munsey Bldg. Members Mrs. Sherman M. Booth Glencoe, Ill. Mrs. Helen H. Gardener Washington, D.C. Miss Ethel M. Smith Washington, D.C. Mrs. Glenna Smith Tinnin Washington, D.C. Mrs. Laura Puffer Morgan Lincoln, Neb. Miss Jeanette Rankin Missoula, Mont. Office National Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association Munsey Building Washington, D.C. 1913 Alaska White states, full suffrage; shaded states, partial suffrage; dotted state, presiden- tial, partial county and state, municipal suffrage; dark states, no suffrage. Telephone Main 3597 Officers National Association Dr. Anna Howard Shaw President Mrs. Stanley McCormick First Vice-President Mrs. Desha Breckenridge Second Vice-President Dr. Katherine B. Davis Third Vice-President Mrs. Susan W. Fitzgerald Recording Secretary Mrs. Orten H. Clark Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers Treasurer Mrs. Walter McNab Miller First Auditor Mrs. Medill McCormick Second Auditor November 5, 1915. To Congressional District Chairmen : Instructions Concerning Resolutions to be Adopting November 16. 1. Herewith are 7 copies of a resolution proposed by the National Congressional Committee for adoption at the district meetings which will be held in the various states November 16th. After adoption you are requested to see that one copy is present- ed to your Representative and one to each of your United States Senators before they leave home for Washington. One each is to be sent to the chairmen of the Democratic and Republican state cen- tral committees. The other two copies are to be returned to your state congressional chairman immediately. 2. The local suffrage leagues in your district have been asked to adopt similar resolutions and forward them to you before November 16. For convenience, the local resolutions have been printed on blue paper. You are requested to attach a copy of each local (blue) resolution to each copy of your district (yellow) resolution before presenting them to the officials for whom they are intended. 3. In districts where no district meeting is held Nov- ember 16, the local resolutions should be assembled and presented to the officials above designated. 4. It is suggested, where it can be tactfully managed with regard to your Representative, that a committee be appoint- ed to "see him off" at the railroad station when he starts for Washington, presenting the resolutions as a sort of "train letter." This idea is not urged at all. It is merely suggested as a possible variant of the general plan, to be followed only if all conditions are suitable, and under no circumstances if likely to annoy your Congressman. Please do your best with these meetings. They will mean votes for us in Congress this winter. Sincerely yours, RUTH McCORMICK (Mrs. Medill McCormick) Chairman. For release November 15, 1915. Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, NA?S N.A.W.S.A., Munsey Building. Washington, D.C., Nov.15. -- To the strength in Congress predicted is a result of the suffrage campaigns in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, an estimated gain to date of 34 votes in the House and three in the Senate is added in a statement just issued by Mrs. Medill Mccormick, chairman of the National Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Still further gains are expected as a result of the active campaign now in progress. "Political observers in Washington confirm our prediction as to the campaign states," says Mrs. Mccormick, "and our congressional district chairmen report accessions from other states on the basis of interviews with the representatives at their homes during the past summer. We expect new votes from Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. Besides this 22 states will join in our plans for congressional district demonstrations -- our 'farewell parties,' as we call them -- to the members of Congress before they leave home for Washington. We expect these expressions from the constituencies to add still further to our list of new votes. There are many congressmen who tell us frankly they will vote for our national amendment if their own constituents want them to." The day set for these congressional district meetings is Tuesday, November 16. There will be in all cases a discussion of woman suffrage as a national issues, and the congressmen and Senators will be invited to attend an join the discussion. In Baltimore, where a large meeting will be held, Representative J.C. Linthicum of Maryland will speak, and Representative Frank W. Mondell of Wyoming, who will reintroduce the Susan B. Anthony amendment in the next Congress, will speak in its behalf. One of the district events in Alabama will be a luncheon in Tuscaloosa, as which Representatives Abercrombie -2- and Oliver will be quests of honor, The states which will hold these district meetings are: Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota. In addition to these South Dakota, just entering upon a new state campaign, and New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, which have just ended theirs, will carry out the program in modified form. "As to the predicted gains in the campaign states, we base our hops upon enormous favorable vote - over a million - in those four states. With that before them, [????] the representative must recognize that this is a question of constitutional size and importance. Moreover, in Prennsylvania, on the face of the returns at present, we seem to have carried 11 congressional districts outright, and perhaps 7 others. Forty-two per cent of the vote cast was ours in New York and New Jersey, and in all four states the suffrage organizations, now at the height of their efficiency, have pledged themselves to swing their full forces into campaign for the Susan B. Anthony amendment, This team work will undoubtedly duplicate the experience of Missouri last year, where, in spite of an adverse majority of 150, 000 at the 1914 election, this state gave us 11 out of 16 possible votes. North Dakota, also defeated, at that election, gave us all her votes, and South Dakota gave all but one. "The chances for passage of the Susan B. Anthony amendment were never before so good." WHEREAS, Suffragists of the Second Congressional District of Connecticut representing local organizations within that district numbering 5637 enrolled members, desire to co-operate with the National American Woman Suffrage Association, through its Congressional Committee, for the purpose of securing the passage by Congress of the Susan B. Anthony amendment to the United States Constitution, granting suffrage to women upon the same terms as men; and WHEREAS, Reiterating the long established principle of nonpartisanship on the part of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, with which our organization is affiliated, we ask for the support of all political parties in our efforts to secure the passage of this amendment in Congress and its ratification by the State Legislature; and WHEREAS, All of the National political except two have already declared their support of the principle of woman suffrage; therefore be it RESOLVED, by the Suffragists of 2nd Congressional District that we hereby request the Hon. Frank R. Brandegree and the Hon. George P. McLean, United States Senators from this State, and the Hon. Richard Freeman Representative in Congress from the Second Congressional District of this State, to vote for this amendment and to use their fullest influence in its favor; and RESOLVED FURTHER, That we hereby request the two political parties that have not declared in favor of Woman Suffrage-the Democratic and Republican parties-to include in their State and National platforms a declaration in favor of Woman Suffrage, and a promise to support legislation to that end. RESOLVED FURTHER, That copies of this resolution, together with the copies of the resolutions adopted by the various local groups of suffragists in this Congressional District, be presented to the Hon. Frank B. Brandegee and the Hon. George P. McLean United States Senators from this State, and the Hon. Richard Freeman Representative in Congress from the Second Congressional District of this State, and that four similar copies be forwarded to the State Congressional Chairman. National American Woman Suffrage Association Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women Honorary President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, 171 Madison Avenue, New York President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington D.C., February 10, 1916. My dear Mrs. McClure:- Your request for further information concerning the work of the Committee is quite natural. As to what the future work of the Committee may develop, of course no one knows, but at present it consists chiefly in the lobby work done here in Congress. The business of the lobby, as you know, is to interview senators and representatives with a view to securing their favorable votes. In addition, the members of the Committee are requested to help further the National work in their own states, and in such other states as conditions may determine that their help would be advisable. For instance, if it so happened that a conference with a group of workers in Ohio was desirable, and you could stop there on your way to or from Washington, you might be requested to do so. This part of the work is not likely to arise soon, and indeed, no member of the Committee may ever have such activity. I suggest it only because it is a possibility. With regard to the amount of time to be spent here in Washington, that depends also upon the length of the session of congress. I should like to have each member of the Committee be prepared to give from six weeks to two months in Washington between now and September 1st. It is not necessary, however, to remain here consecutively for that time -- periods of two or thee weeks would be satisfactory. The National pays travelling expenses and provides accommodation at a hotel here for each member of the Committee while she is engaged on the congressional work. I very much hope you will decide to accept the National Board's appointment. Even if you can only be here for a Mrs. McClure -2. total period of one month, I would still be glad to have you. From my own brief experience here, I can assure you that the work is interesting. In case you can serve, may I ask when it would suit you to come to Washington? I shall be glad if you can come soon. As I think you do know, the vote in the Senate is likely to come at any time and I should therefore be glad to have your help now. Cordially yours, [J??ie Bradley Roessing] (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) JBR-LA First Vice-President Mrs. Charles W. McClure, 1257 South Jefferson Avenue, Saginaw, Mich. National American Woman Suffrage Association Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women Honorary President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, 171 Madison Avenue, New York President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C. Tuesday Feb 29 1916 My dear Mrs. Mc Clure, The Congressional situation is such that I have determined it necessary to call a meeting of our Congressional Committee to be held here in Washington on next Thursday, March 2nd at 10 o'clock. If you have decided to serve on the Committee and can attend this meeting I shall be very glad to have you come. If travel schedules are such that you cannot arrive until noon we will not begin the session until then Upon receipt of this letter will you please write me as to whether you will attend and the hour of your arrival. The meeting will be held in our office 920 Munsey Bldg and I will ask you to come there directly from the train I am sorry not to be able to join you [n???] notice but situations develop quickly here and there is no alternative but to act in accordance. Sincerely Yours, Janice Bradley Roessing Regret that I will not be able to attend meeting Here's our [me???] National American Woman Suffrage Association Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and National Council of Women Honorary President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, 171 Madison Avenue, New York. President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York Recording Secretary, Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue, New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C., March 8, 1916 Mrs. Charles W. McClure, 1257 South Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, Michigan. My dear Mrs. McClure:- I missed you at our committee meeting on the second, but knew that you had some good reason for not joining us. I shall count upon having you come to Washington about the end of April. I do home that the result of you final visit to the specialist will be favorable, not only on our account but because I can appreciate your great anxiety. The committee meeting last all day on the second, and then took a recess until March 7, when we had a concluding session. We merely discussed in great detail the situation here, especially with regard to the attitude of various state delegations and the general progress of our measure. It is impossible, and I believe unnecessary to burden you with these details at this time, but when you arrive I will go over the whole situation with you. Hoping to see you next month, and with all good wishes, I am, Sincerely yours, Janice Bradley Roessing (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) JBR-LA First Vice President. National American Woman Suffrage Association Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women Honorary President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, 171 Madison Avenue, New York President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. National Woman Suffrage Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington D.C., April 12, 1916. Mrs. Charles S. McClure, 1257 S. Jefferson St., Saginaw, Michigan. My dear Mrs. McClure: - My recent circular letters and bulletins have explained how we are at present tied up in in the Judiciary Committee. The members tell me that so far as the House is concerned we are bottled up now until next December, inasmuch as it would require unanimous consent to have the Judiciary Committee release our bill this session, and with such violent antis as Mr. Webb on the Committee this does not seem likely. There is a dispute as to whether unanimous consent or only a majority of the committee is necessary, but Mr. Webb holds that it will require unanimous consent, and as the Committee is wholly unable to overcome his rulings or to carry a motion to appeal from his decision, there really does not seem to be much hope of getting our measure out of the Judiciary Committee. Of course, all of this is strictly confidential to you, but I feel that you should know, because you we were planning to come to Washington. There is another confidential matter which I want to tell you, and that is, that we do not have at this date as many favorable votes in the Senate as we had when our measure was voted upon in the last congress. We believe that it would be a bad thing not only for our national movement but especially for the Iowa campaign for us to permit this decrease to become known. It is only a temporary decrease due to certain political conditions. Mrs. McClure -2 4-12-16 We are all convinced that by waiting until December we can get a larger vote in the Senate. For these reasons we feel that it would not be wise to push to a vote in the Senate at present. From the above you will see that our work here is not urgent at this time. Our poll both of the Senate and House is almost completed, so that it will not be necessary for you to come here this month. I realize that with the complications of illness which you have had this postponement of your work here may be a great relief; I am therefore writing at the earliest moment to notify you. Personally, I shall be sorry not to have you come, but I cannot conscientiously ask you to do so when the work does not require your presence at this time. Hoping that the illness in your family has been relieved and with personal greetings, I am, Sincerely yours, Jennie Bradley Roessing (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) First Vice President. JBR-LA NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION BRANCH OF INTERNATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE ALLIANCE AND OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN HONORARY PRESIDENT DR. ANNA HOWARD SHAW, 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice-President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice-President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice-President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah H. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C., May 12, 1916. Dear Madam Chairman: Since my last letter to you, the status of our amendment in Congress has been unchanged. In the Senate, it is still on the calendar awaiting action. In the House, it remains in the Judiciary Committee. If any of the men on the Judiciary Committee who voted against us are from your state, please leave no stone unturned to change their attitude and win their support. We are doing all we can here to prepare the way for affirmative action by the Judiciary Committee, but it is my personal belief that we will not be able to get the measure out of committee until after the two national conventions. If we can get planks in the two-party platforms it will be the best piece of work we can do for our Federal Amendment. I hope, therefore, that you are doing everything possible in your state, by Mrs. Catt's letters, to enlist the support of the delegates and to have large numbers of women go to the two conventions. Remember, too, that the inclusion of planks will be the best piece of state work also that you can do at this time since it is almost sure to Following that, if the National parties adopt planks the state parties will do likewise in the state platforms at their next opportunity. I cannot repeat too often that in the last analysis success in Congress is dependent upon work in the states -- not upon demonstrations of the nagging kind, but upon the dignified, constructive activity, which will provide organization and bring results. Continued nagging of Congressmen and senators bring them to the point of anger and reaction. They need intelligent treatment and honest proof of sincere interest and progress at home. On April 25 Senator Shafroth of Colorado made a good speech on equal suffrage in the Senate, a copy of which is being mailed to you under separate cover. Sincerely yours, Jennie Bradley Roessing (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) Chairman. NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION BRANCH OF INTERNATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE ALLIANCE AND OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN HONORARY PRESIDENT DR. ANNA HOWARD SHAW, 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice-President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice-President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice-President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington D. C. Washington, D. C., May 23, 1916. My dear Mrs. McClure: - When you telephoned me from New York I tried to tell you, but did not make it clear, that I would be very glad to have you reach Chicago on June 5. Our demonstration does not take place until June 7, but unless a the national convention is very different from a state political convention, I am sure that there will be many things for us to do on the day preceding our demonstration, and I shall be so glad to have your help. Mrs. Catt and I will be at the Hotel Virginia in Chicago from June 4 until the end of the convention. The Blackstone reports that it has no accommodations for anyone, so I do not believe you can secure a room there. I suggest, therefore, that you write to Mrs. George Bass, whose address is 604 Tower Building, Chicago, Illinois. Enclosed I am sending you a little circular which gives this and other information. If you cannot get to Chicago until the late afternoon or evening of June 5 that will be insufficient time, as I think most of the delegates (*men*) are not likely to arrive before the evening of the fifth. Sincerely yours, Jennie Bradley Roessing. (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) First Vice President. JBR-LA Mrs. C. S. McClure, 1257 S. Jefferson St., Saginaw, Michigan. Mrs. Gen Bass 604 Tower Bldg. Chicago Ill. Can I secure accommodations for Monday, June 5 until [end of convention]. I am a member of Mrs. Frank Rossing's Committee + should prefer to be with her in Virginia if possible. Mrs Charles N. McClure Mrs. Frank Rossing suggested I might secure accommodation June 5 by [writing] communicating with you. Should prefer to be with her at Virginia as I am a member of Mrs. R's committee if possible. Mrs Charles N McClure NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION BRANCH OF INTERNATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE ALLIANCE AND OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN HONORARY PRESIDENT DR. ANNA HOWARD SHAW, 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK PRESIDENT Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D.C., June 24, 1916. My dear Mrs. McClure: - Thank you for the clipping enclosed in your letter of June 16th. I was able to get the St. Louis papers for the 16th and 17th, so I think our set will be complete. I also find that I have the missing clipping from the Globe-Democrat to which you refer. Had I known what was going to occur in the Democratic convention at its last session on Saturday I would have urged you to remain over for it. The newspapers have given the the story in full so far as actual occurrences are concerned, and you have probably seen Mrs. Catt's statement about the National's dissatisfaction with the plank. During the debate on the plank Senator Stone when questions stated that he did not consider it an endorsement of woman suffrage! A few moments later Senator Walsh said that it was an endorsement!! Still, a little later Governor Ferguson said that the President was not interested in the plank and had not stated that he wanted it in the platform, whereupon Senator Walsh got up and flatly contradicted the Governor!!! At the close of the convention, therefore, Mrs. Catt wired the President for the facts, and she has just had a letter from him saying that his interpretation of the plank is that it is an endorsement of woman suffrage, but that he believes it should be granted by the states. We consider the Democratic plank weaker than the Republican plank because it specifies action "by states." The clause appended to the Republican plank merely recognizes the right of the states, which is not mandatory. It is definitive but not restrictive. (I think that is the expression of mine to which you refer). By the way, you may like to have a copy of Senator Borah's interpretation of the plank, so I am enclosing it. Mrs. McClure -2 6-24-16 Mrs. Catt plans to come over here next week and to be present while we make a final effort to get our bill out of the Judiciary Committee. I believe some St. Louis women are also coming over. You will remember that it was Dyer of St. Louis who deserted us last time on the committee. I believe that some New York women will also come. If it happens that you are coming east next week, do include Washington on your route. I shall be here all of next week but leave June 30. Mrs. Sullivan, the new member of the committee, is here now and will take up her residence here for the remainder of the year so that we shall always have her in attendance. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your devoted service in Chicago and St. Louis. It is rare, indeed, to find suffragists who are so willing to do teamwork and to put themselves so wholly at the call of the emergencies which always arise upon such occasions. You were a great comfort to me personally, as well, during those very hard days. Cordially yours, Jennie Bradley Roessing (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) First Vice President. JBR-LA Enclosure Mrs. C. S. McClure, 1257 S. Jefferson St., Saginaw, Michigan. P.S. By the way, you will be interested to know that all the men here consider that our planks in both the party platforms are a great victory. They realize that in each case the planks might have been stronger, but they say that it is remarkable that the women got an endorsement of the principle, as they did in each case, and that even if a cause was tacked on we ought to rejoice over the triumph. You will be interested to know that the C. U., after heralding far and wide in May that they were not working for planks, are going to hold a demonstration tomorrow night celebrating the victory of the planks! J. B. R. (C. U Congressional Union later Natl Woman's] Party no Campaigning Under False Colors Woodrow Wilson for President The Euclid of Financial Theory, Accredited to Woodrow Wilson, was Stolen from Senate Bill No, 340. Introduced in United States Senate, April 1911. —Edward Buckley, Chicago, July 7, 1916. (Extract from Nomination Speech.) "There stands the astounding phenomenon of American prosperity. What is its explanation? The Euclid of Financial Theory worked to a demonstration, measures for the country's relief, He promptly put into effect the legislative expression of a great program. He did not talk, he did things. He dynamited the monetary dams and let credit flow to the remotest corners of the land, its spray dashing even upon foreign shores, He released the nation's resources and set the energies of all men free to exploit them. He destroyed commercial slavery, He struck off its shackles. The prosperity of the nation is the product of statesmanship and financial genius. American credit is now limited only by its honesty and capacity. The cause being undisturbed, the effects must remain. The schoolmaster is a statesman, the statesman is a financier, and the financier is an emancipator. With Lincoln, the emancipator of the chattel slave will live forever as the emancipator of the commercial slave. "Therefore, my fellow countrymen, not I, but his deeds and achievements; not I, but the spirit and purposes of America; not I, but the prayers of just men; not I but civilization itself, nominates to succeed himself to the presidency of the United States, to the presidency of a hundred million free people, bound in impregnable union, the scholar, the statesman, the financier, the emancipator, the pacificator, the moral leader of democracy, Woodrow Wilson." [Mrs?] Frank M. Roessing Fail to see how you can find it convenient to support [Mr?.] Wilsen [Edward?] Buckley "The Siege of Hotel Southern" Tempico, Mexico, April 21, 1914 American women and children in their hour of peril at Tampico, Mexico, were deserted by the American fleet in command of Admiral Mayo, under orders form the Government at Washington, D. C. Woodrow Wilson was President. It was German sailors who landed and rescued Americans. We owe the Kaisers a debt of thanks and gratitude. 1. In the "Southern" were crowded "Yankies," Like a flock of frightening sheep, We had heard the news of Vera Cruz, And no one thought of sleep; For a crowd of maniacal Mexicans Were gloating for our souls, And brickbats, stones and epithets, Were hurtling 'gainst the door. 2. The doors were barred and stood the charge, Of the craze maddened Mexicans. With lust for blood within their hearts, Each moment seemed out last, For soon the sound of beating drums Once more assailed our ears, Redoubled with the clamor, The curses and the jeers. 3. To the impact of battering rams The doors were giving way; Meanwhile our guns and pistols We manned to sweep the floor, The men were cursing softly, And the women murmuring prayers, We are lost! Paul Pretzer shouted, As he staggered up the stairs. 4. Cur pickets on the "Southern" roof Strove with distended ears To catch some sound of Mayo's guns Or hear the sailors' cheers. But our Admiral under orders Had sailed away to sea; Hope vanished that Woodrow Wilson Would our women's honor—save. 5. To Bloody General Zaragoza, Brace Captain Koeler cried— "Shed but one drop of foreign blood, And your street I'll sweep with lead." And Zaragoza tho wild with rage Yet still was sane enough, To realize that this command Was not a "Wilson blundering bluff." Chorus—-1. Though Admiral Mayo far away Answered "Koeler's" wireless summons, "My orders are—await results—at sea," There fronted on Tampico harbor, The German armored cruiser, With guns trained on the city; Within good striking distance, Five hundred yards away. Chorus—-2. We knew the Kaiser's Captain Had saved a thousand lives; Tampico would have run with blood Of children, husbands, wives. So we welcomed German fellowship, Then gave a rousing cheer, And toasted "Hoch der Kaiser" in divers steins of beer. Published by Edward Buckley—Chicago, March 29th. Member Sons of American Revolution. Copyright, 1916 National American Woman Suffrage Association Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women Honorary President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, 171 Madison Avenue, New York President Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice-President Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice-President Mrs. Stanley McCormick 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Woman Suffrage Publishing Company, Inc. President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York 2nd Vice-President Miss Esther G. Ogden 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary Miss Hannah J. Patterson 171 Madison Avenue, New York National Headquarters 171 Madison Avenue New York Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill Recording Secretary Mrs. James W. Morrisson 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor Mrs. Walter McNab Miller Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. Congressional Committee Chairman Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C., July 4, 1916. My dear Mrs. McClure: - The clipping book arrived this morning, followed by your letter. Thank you for both. The book is exactly what I wanted, and if there are any clippings missing I am sure they are few and far between. I am most grateful to you for this additional piece of help. Enclosed I am sending a money order in the sum of $10.56. I note that the Hearst papers were not available. I think we have some of them here. I am having the secretary go over our clippings and insert any that may not already be in the book. Yes, indeed, the National convention will be earlier this year. Mrs. Catt has just called it for Atlantic City September 6-10. I am thinking that this may suit your plans, since I remember that you often motor east ^ in the December. Do try to make your schedule fit this convention. I am of course very anxious to have each member of the Congressional Committee at the convention. Enclosed is a copy of the circular letter which Mrs. Catt has just issued to state presidents. According to it you will notice that the Federal work will receive more attention than the National has usually given it. From present prospects I shall need the support of a while regiment, and will be so glad to have you there. In states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, etc., where the conventions are not held till fall, the election of delegates should take place by the state executive board. Before your letter arrived I had determined to write each state president asking that the state committee appoint as one of their delegates the member from their state who is on the National Congressional Committee. I shall be especially glad to write such a letter to Mrs. Clark. I do not know that she will comply with my request, Mrs. McClure -2 7-4-16 since she has not seen her way clear to doing so on any previous occasion, but I shall make it just the same. In case she will not do so I shall ask Mrs. Catt to write, as I consider this a matter of importance to the National, as well as to the State. I am going to hope, however, that Mrs. Clark will see fit to coincide with my opinion this time. Enclosed is a copy of my latest letter to the states. I just learned yesterday that the vice chairman of our Committee never reads these communications! I hope that all the other members of my committee do! If they knew how hard I work at these letters they certainly would take pity and at least read them! The talk about the adjournment of Congress now indicates August 1-15, certainly not later than September 1. Every pressure is being brought to bring it as near August 1 as possible, and I am hoping that the pressure may succeed. Confidential: You will be glad to know that my reason for believing we will get our bill out of Committee at this session after all is, that the western Democrats in the House want it reported out of committee, at least. With a reunited Republican party in the field they must look to their laurels, as well as to the gnat-like activity of the Congressional Union in their territory. Sincerely yours, Jennie Bradley Roessing (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) First Vice President. JER-LA Enclosures Mrs. Charles S. McClure, 1257 S. Jefferson St., Saginaw, Michigan. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 31, 1916. My dear Mrs. Roessing: Referring to your recent call, I beg to say that the President will be glad to see you and Mrs. Catt at the Executive Office at 8:00 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, August 1st. Sincerely yours, H. Tumalty Secretary to the President. Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, Munsey Building, Washington, D.C. News Washington, D. C., July 31, 1916. My dear Mr. Tumulty:- By your note of this date, Mrs. Catt and I will call to see the President at the Executive Office at 2 p.m. Tuesday. August 1st. Will you please express to the President our appreciation for his kindness in granting this interview on the date that will best fit Mrs. Catt's traveling schedule? Sincerely yours, (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) Chairman National Congressional Committee. Joseph P. Tumulty, Esq., Secretary to the President, The White House, Washington, D. C. National American Woman Suffrage Association Massachusetts Congressional Committee 585 Boylston Street, Boston Mrs. Lewis Jerome Johnson, Chairman Mrs. Donald M. Blair Secretary Miss Fanny C. Osgood Treasurer Mrs. Teresa A Crowley Mrs. Claude U. Gilson Mrs. Wenona O. Pinkham Mrs. Perry Walton October 30, 1916. CONTINUED REPORT OF PROGRESS ON CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE. October 26, 1916. During the summer the work of the Congressional Committee has been carried forward by the chairman with informal conferences with various members of the Committee. In August Mrs. Roessing asked that the names of all congressional candidates be sent to her. As soon as the nomination papers were filed the list was sent to her, and immediately letters were sent to all local congressional chairmen asking them to arrange interviews with these candidates before the primaries. Individual letters were also sent to the candidates by the chairmen, the plan being in each case to make the letter personal and to recognize previous help that had been rendered by the candidate if he had been in Congress or if he had given his support in the state campaign. With very few exceptions each candidate has been interviewed once, and some candidates have received several delegations. Coven candidates have not answered my letters, but they have no chance of election. They have received many copies of the Federal Amendment Resolution which has been passed at the meeting in October. The record of the stand of these Congressional candidates is as follows: See enclosure In response to Mrs.Catt's request for Federal Amendment meetings on October 7 and 21 letters were sent to the local Congressional Chairmen and the Presidents and Chairmen of all local suffrage organizations. The Mass.State Board voted to put all the state machinery behind these Federal Amendment demonstrations, and the Congressional Committee agreed that the shortness of time and the importance and idle extent of this demonstration made it necessary for the chairman to send letters to the individual local organizations. As a result, many meetings have been carried out in all parts of the state, and are still going on. A great deal of newspaper publicity has been obtained. The following resolution was passed at each meeting, and a copy was mailed in most cases to each Congressional candidate in the state so that the candidate might know that this was not limited to his district but was statewide. In many cases, the full text of the resolution was also printed in the local papers. Especially successful meetings have been held in Pittsfield, where the P.E.U. and Massachusetts representatives combined, and also in Springfield, Worcester, Marlboro, and Boston. At each meeting, the attitude of the candidate in that district was announced either by suffrage speakers or by speakers from the political parties. -2- The program sent by Mrs.Catt was carried out as far as was possible, all placed adapting the program to fit their meetings. A copy of Mrs. Catt's report on the Federal Amendment meetings of Massachusetts is appended. see enclosure. The Massachusetts Congressional Committee voted to carry on special work in the 9th and 14th Congressional districts where the contest between candidates was close. the chairman wrote at once to Washington for information about the record of Mr. Richard Olney who was up for re-election, and also the National Voters League. Miss Meyer answered that Mr. Olney was a new man, and very little was known about him while the National Voters League sent his record on various bills, but it arrived so late that it could no be of service. It seemed inadvisable to do anything in the 9th district as both Roberts and Kieller are suffragists and it would be difficult to carry on a campaign of discrimination, under the circumstances. The committee, therefore, voted at a special meeting called to discuss this matter further, not to carry on any special work in either of these districts. On October 3rd Mrs. Catt asked for a list of names from which she could choose several members for her National Congressional Committee, not for work in Massachusetts, but possible work in Washington, or as names that could be used by the Washington Committee in its work with Congressmen. The chairman has sent the names of Massachusetts to Congressional Committees as follows, and also a list of prominent women who might be invited to become members of this committee. Mrs. Oaken Ames has already accepted, the other names are merely suggested. A request came from Miss Ruth White, acting in Mrs. Roessing's place, that we should arrange an interview with Mr.Hughes before his meeting in Boston on October 26th. The letter arrived the morning of that day, and the man immediately telephoned various leading Republicans asking for advice and help in this matter. They said it was impossible to arrange an interview, as Mr. Hughes was to be here long enough to dine before his meeting, but a letter was written to Mr. Hughes which the presiding officer promised to give to him before the meeting. The chairman of the Congressional Committee was present at the Atlantic City Convention, a non-voting member was present at the Atlantic City Convention, and a non-voting member was present at the meeting of the Executive Council. Conferences with Mrs. Roessing were impossible on account of her constant attendance at the meeting of the convention, but there was a late and very hurried meeting of the state Congressional Chairman on Saturday afternoon. At the meeting, plans were discussed, and the chairman was advised concerning their local difficulties. At this committee meeting, the Chairmen were asked if their states were sufficiently well organized to undertake to defeat all anti-suffrage candidates for Congress. No state seemed prepared to do this, and certainly not Massachusetts. -3- Pending the re-organization of the suffrage workers of the state and the strengthening of the local committees and organizations, the Congressional Committee can carry out the nationwide plans only to a limited extent. The Chairman recommends that a special committee be formed in each place where there is a suffrage organization whose special duty shall be to assist in carrying out the plans of the Legislative and Congressional Committee. [Ls. A.L] Chairman Congressional Committee (Mis Leum Jereme Joheesm} The Chairman has spoken at some ten or twelve meetings for the Federal Amendment. More than 25 yards of newspaper notices mere [publis? ied] about the Fed. Amend. meetings From the National Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 503 Munsey Bldg., Washington, D. C. For immediate release. Washington, D. C. Feb. 1. -- Officers of the National American Woman Suffrage Association have prevented the possible disfranchisemment of the women voters of Illinois. Curiously enough, the measure containing the disqualifying clause was introduced by one of the most prominent suffrage advocates in Congress, Senator Norris of Nebraska. In a measure designed to abolish the electoral college and provide for direct election of the President and Vice President, the words "qualified voters of each state" were inadvertently used in fixing the qualification of voters, the effect of which would have wiped out the statute of the Illinois legislature giving women a presidential vote. "I shall redraft my resolution so that it will preserve the presidential vote for women in Illinois," said Senator Norris today. "The last thing I should wish to do would be to deprive them of any of their qualifications as voters. Indeed, if I had my way I would increase them, and extend the franchise to all women. The effect my constitutional amendment would have on the Illinois women was called to my attention by Mrs. Frank M. Roessing of Pennsylvania, Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National Association, and Mrs. Antoinette Funk of Illinois, vice chairman of that Committee. "They pointed out to me further that as now drafted my resolution might also interfere with legislation that has been proposed in the state legislatures of New Jersey, Maine and some other states, giving women the presidential vote." From Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn. Room 6502 Munsey Bldg. For release Monday, February 7, not before. Washington, D. C., February 6. 1916 -- "Politicians must look to their laurels." Members of Congress accorded this tribute to the generalship of woman suffragists in greeting the announcement today of organization plans of the newly appointed Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. "The one big thing that the Congressional Committee is doing," said Mrs. Frank H. Roessing of Pennsylvania, who heads the Congressional Committee for the National Association, "is to perfect a working organization of suffragists in each congressional district in the United States. This plan is intended to secure a more stable basis for securing the enactment of the constitutional amendment for [??] equal suffrage now pending in the Senate and the House." Associated with Mrs. Roessing on the Congressional Committee are seven other women who will carry on the active campaign in Congress and throughout the states. Of these Mrs. Antoinette Funk of Illinois and Miss Mary Garrett Hay of New York will serve as vice chairman. The others are, Mrs. Patty Ruffner Jacobs of Alabama; Mrs. Helen Grenfell, of Colorado; Mrs. T. T. Cotnam, of Arkansas; Mrs. C. S. McClure, of Michigan; and Miss Martha Norris of Ohio. The plans of the Congressional Committee have attracted much attention from members of Congress, not only because they show the political acumen of old stagers in the game, but also because they have virtually taken a leaf out of the organization book of both parties. "In the last analysis the man in Congress listens to the voice of the people at home," said Mrs. Roessing. "Of course he is a long distance from home, and sometimes does not hear the voice. Our aim is to establish, in conjunction with our personal appeals to members of Congress, a long distance connection and uninterrupted communication between sentiment for suffrage in the states and those who should respond to that sentiment in Washington. [*1916*] For immediate release. Washington, D.C., March 14. — "The action of the House Juducuary Committee today, which by unanimous consent agreed to take final Committee action March 28 on the woman suffrage resolution, was taken through the influence of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association." This statement was made by Representative Carlin of Virginia, following the Judiciary Committee meeting. Mr. Carlin was instrumental in securing the action by which a committee vote will be had on the suffrage measure the 28th of this month instead of December 14th, the date set for consideration by the Judiciary Committee at a former meeting. Although Mr. Carlin voted earlier in the session for the postponement to December 14th, he stated today that he had been persuaded by representatives of the National Association to favor the earlier date. "I have no desire to smother consideration of the question in Committee," said Mr. Carlin, "and for this reason I agreed to the request of the National Association and did what I could to secure the action that was finally taken today by the Judiciary Committee." Mrs. Frank M. Roessing of Pennsylvania, Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National Association, stated today that she was much gratified with the action of the Committee. "I am confident that we have a majority on the Judiciary Committee who favor the woman suffrage amendment," said Mrs. Roessing, "and have no doubt that this majority will report the amendment to the House when the Committee acts on the 28th." -2- "Our district organization is now in the formative stage. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt of New York, the newly elected president of the National Association, is now in the field giving her personal attention to the plan, and just at this time is in Illinois. A series of state conferences is being arranged through the country, at each of which Mrs. Catt will meet the congressional district chairmen. "Reports will be made from each district, and the plans will be gone over by Mrs. Catt. Detailed information regarding the records of members of congress for the respective districts will be furnished. The work of the committee in Congress will then be supplemented by the activities of the district leaders and their forces, so that every member of Congress will know not only by hearsay, but by actual evidence furnished him from home, that equal suffragists are in the fight to stay until they win." For release Monday, March 27, not before. Washington, D. C, March 26. -- The action which the House Judiciary Committee will take tomorrow on the woman suffrage amendment is regarded by officers of the National American Woman Suffrage Association as of vital importance. They consider that the question involved is more than a mere decision by members of a Committee of Congress as to whether they will or will not allow the House to pass upon the equal suffrage measure. Tomorrow's action will have a decisive influence on plans of the National Association for securing a suffrage plank in the platforms of the two great political parties at their national conventions in June. Officers of the Association feel confident that favorable action will be taken by the Judiciary Committee on the amendment. Miss Hannah J. Patterson of New York, National Secretary of the Association, and Mrs. Catt's representative are in Washington to cooperate with the Congressional Committee in the work of getting Susan B. Anthony's amendment squarely before the House. In this connection, Miss Patterson has been making a canvass of the Committee members, and shares in the belief that the amendment will be reported. The leaders of the National Association believe that favorable action will furnish a powerful stimulus to the movement underway for a suffrage plank in the Republican and Democratic platforms, For that reason, their efforts in that direction have been redoubled. News of tomorrow's vote will be flashed to every unit of the nationwide organization, to be used as a lever in emphasizing the slogan, "A woman suffrage plank in every political platform." In this connection, the National Association has announced as a feature of the Democratic National Convention in St. Louis a "walkless parade." Missouri's aggressive slogan, "Show Me, " will be brilliantly illustrated. From the Hotel Jefferson to the Coliseum, the two points between which delegates to the Convention must travel, double rows of suffragists with gay flows of cash and yellow parasols will stand on guard. not a delegate will be able to leave or enter Convention Hall without securing some optical evidence of the fact that American women [?o] want the vote. For immediate release. Washington, D. C., March 28. -- The following statement was issued today by Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, regarding the action of the Hours Judiciary Committee : "The failure of the House Judiciary Committee to report out the suffrage resolution, while very disappointing, was not entirely unexpected," said Mrs. Roessing. "The National Association has realized that considerations outside the question of suffrage might become a factor in today's vote, and the result has shown that this was true. "The vote is in no sense to be construed as hostile to suffrage. It was not confined to that alone, but all constitutional amendments pending before the Committee. They were of such a grave and important nature, involving as they did changes in the Constitution, that given the legislative situation it was concluded to postpone all action. "Today's vote has emphasized to the leaders of the National Association that more than ever suffragists should work for a suffrage plank in the platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties at the coming national conventions. Although we shall overlook no opportunity to get the suffrage resolution reported out of committee, the activities of the National Association to get planks on the national platforms will be redoubled. "Instructions have already been issued to our workers throughout the United States that from now until June conventions no stone shall be left unturned to secure the adoption of an equal suffrage plank in the two platforms. " For release Monday, April 24 not before Washington, April 23. -- In an interview given out today Senator John. F. Shafroth of Colorado vigorously championed the cause of equal suffrage, and specifically defended woman suffrage in his own states against charges recently made by J. B. Maling of Denver that equal suffrage had proven a failure in Colorado. "My attention had been directed to statements made by Mr. Maling and published in Iowa papers, to the effect that woman suffrage in Colorado was a failure and should be abandoned, ' said Senator Shafroth. "These statements are not substantiated by the facts, and while I would not dignify them by calling attention to his specific indictments, I wish to state that in my judgment the experience of twenty-three years of equal suffrage in the state of Colorado has conclusively demonstrated its righteousness, its expediency and its practicability for every point of view. "Do women want equal suffrage? Ask the women of Colorado. Submit the question to those who have tried it and scarcely a small minority can be found to vote against it. Whenever a law is disapproved by the people, expression of that sentiment is found in appeals for its repeal. Colorado has had equal suffrage for twenty-three years, yet no petitions for its repeal have ever been presented. "The fact that no member of the General Assembly of Colorado has ever even introduced in that body a bill to re-submit the question to the people shows that there is no demand for any change in the elective franchise of that state. "Furthermore, I believe in amending the Federal constitution so as to provide equal suffrage. To us of Colorado who believe that influence in government has always been and is sure to continue to be for the advancement of all good and moral legislation, it is inconceivable that woman's right to vote could do any harm or wrong to any state. "Woman's presence in Colorado politics has introduced an independent element which compels better nominations and better officials. -2- It has not caused the neglect by women of their home duties. It has not been the cause for domestic dissension or divorces. Judge George W. Allen of the Colorado district bench in writing to me on this question, declared that in his twenty years on this bench he had never known a divorce case wherein it was claimed or suggested that political differences in any manner had been the cause of trouble between husband and wife. Letters of similar import were sent to me by all the other district judges in Colorado. "Equal suffrage in Colorado has caused no tendency in men to omit the politeness and gallantry to woman which she has always commanded. It has not lowered the ideals of women, nor changed, her refined, womanly qualities. "Every moral law or movement in our state has had the support of a large majority of women. It was the Interparliamentary Union at London which declared that Colorado has 'the sanest, most humane, most progressive, most scientific laws relating to the child to be found on any statute books in the world.' "Equal suffrage is right, expedient and practicable, and the highest considerations of good government demand its adoption." For release Monday, May 1, not before. Washington, D. C., April 30. -- "The endorsement of equal suffrage by either of the two, great political parties would do more at this time to simplify the woman suffrage question than any other one thing." This statement was made today by Representative John M. Nelson in commenting upon the nationwide campaign being made by the National American Woman Suffrage Association for the adoption of equal suffrage planks in the Republican and Democratic national platforms. With the national conventions less than eight weeks away, the expression of this sentiment is peculiarly timely. Mr. Nelson's opinion has special significance also when it is recalled that he is a member of the Judiciary Committee, and in that capacity led the fight for a favorable report upon the constitutional amendment for woman's suffrage. As any equal suffrage measure considered by Congress must first be acted upon by the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Nelson foresees victory in the first important step at least, should either party adopt an equal suffrage plank? "Were either of the great parties to endorse woman suffrage at their coming conventions," said Mr. Nelson, "I see no reason to doubt that a favorable report would naturally follow, and its passage by Congress be much simplified. Given this fact, it seems to me that in directing their efforts toward securing the endorsement of equal suffrage by delegates to the national conventions, woman suffrage advocates have exhibited practical judgment and admirable political acumen." Press Bureau, For release Monday, May 15, not before. Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Bldg., Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C., May 14. -- The work of the National American Woman Suffrage Association for equal suffrage planks in the platforms of the two great political parties received splendid encouragement today. Two United States senators who have been elected delegates to the Republican and Democratic national conventions, respectively, have announced that they will support an endorsement of the principle of equal suffrage in their party platforms. Senator Borah of Idaho and Senator Thompson of Kansas are the two men who have thus declared themselves. "I am in favor of an endorsement in the Republican platform of the principle of equal suffrage," said Senator Borah, "and speaking for myself am willing to see the party pledged to the principle. I no doubt that there will be a plank offered to that effect, and it will receive my active support, so far as I can give it." Senator Thompson of Kansas will support any similar action that may be taken by the Democratic convention and said: "The resolutions recently adopted by the Kansas Democrats in their state convention fairly define my position. In Kansas the Democrats frankly acknowledge that 'woman suffrage accords with the principle of Democracy.' and that 'a voice in the conduct of public affairs is a right of women in the same sense and to the same extent as of men.' " In this connection, Senator Thompson called attention to the fact that the Kansas Democrats unanimously elected Mrs. Wm. E. Harris of Lawrence, the wife of former U. S. Senator Harris, was one of the delegates at large to the St. Louis Convention. Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Building, Washington, D.C. For release Monday, May 22, not before. Washington, D.C., May 21. -- Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, President of the national American Woman Suffrage Association, has issued to every delegate elected to the national conventions of the Democratic, Republican and Progressive parties a strong appeal for a woman suffrage plank in the respective platforms. To the Democratic delegates, Mrs. Catt calls attention to the fact that President Wilson, Wm. J. Bryan, Speaker Clark, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, Secretary of the treasury Wm. G. McAdoo, Secretary of Commerce Wm. C. Redfield, and Secretary of Labor Wm. B. Wilson have all announced their advocacy of the enfranchisement of women. "The Democratic party holds as one of its principles that 'governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed'", continued Mrs. Catt to the Democratic delegates. "In order that this theory may become a fact the suffragists will ask the Democratic Party for a place endorsing [wom?n] suffrage." "Mrs. Catt calls to the attention of the Republican delegates the fact that a minority of the Resolutions Committee of the 1912 Convention presented a report endorsing woman suffrage. "All history proves that the minorities of today are the majorities of tomorrow," she continues. Referring also to the stated of "the greatest of all Republicans, Abraham Lincoln," that "this country cannot endure half slave and half free," Mrs. Catt suggests that "no Republican can endure half governed by half the people and the other half governed by all the people." The Progressive delegates are urged to reaffirm their declaration of 1912 favoring woman suffrage. Mrs. Catt further emphasizes her non-partisan appeal by sending to delegates of all parties the following historical facts relating to equal suffrage: "Since 1912 Oregon, Arizona, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, have become full suffrage states and Illinois has granted to women municipal suffrage and the right to vote for President." "Last November four Eastern States -- New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, voted on woman suffrage. While the amendments were lost the "yes" vote in these states was over one million. The exact total "yes" vote was 1,234,470." "Women now help to determine 91 electoral votes; 33 U.S. Senators and 67 Representatives. The suffrage states cover nearly half our territory." Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Building, Washington, D.C. For Release Monday, May 29, not before. Washington , May 28. -- The recognition of equal suffrage in the platforms of all political parties was vigorously endorsed by Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska Today. The Nebraska senator warmly [re]commended the [?] efforts of the National American Suffrage Association to secure such planks, declare that there was no such sound argument against equal suffrage, and that its recognition would be no more than just. "It seems to me that as a matter of simple justice, all political [part]ies ought to incorporate in their platforms a declaration in [fa]vor of the principle of equal suffrage," [said] Senator Norris, who for years has been a consistent advocate of suffrage for women as well as for men. "The Fundamental right of women to enjoy the exercise of the franchise is obvious, in my judgment, and too well founded to need defense or elaboration in its support. The question of equal suffrage seems to me to be clearly entitled to recognition and support from those who have it in their power to render it such service." "I am therefore in hearty sympathy with the efforts now being made by the National American Woman Suffrage Association to secure an equal suffrage plank in the platforms of all parties that are soon to hold their national conventions." Press Bureau, National Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. For immediate release. Washington, May 31. -- The eyes and ears of Congress may be fixed upon the two National party conventions, but the Washington headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Association will go on as usual. Miss Martha Norris of Youngstown, Ohio, a member of the National Congressional Committee, will be in charge during the absence of Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, first vice president of the National Association and chairman of its Congressional Committee. Mrs. Roessing will leave Washington the end of this week to join Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, the National president, in Chicago. The Chicago headquarters of the National Association will be in the Hotel Lombard, the parade headquarters being at the Chicago Women's Club. Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, of Connecticut, wife of Judge Rogers and treasurer of the National Association, has already gone to Chicago. The entire National Board will reach that city on Sunday morning, June 4, this group including Mrs. Stanley McComick, of Massachusetts, Miss Esther G. Ogden of New Jersey, Miss Hannah J. Patterson of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Walter McNab Miller of Missouri, and Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs of Alabama. Mrs. James W. Morrisson, the recording secretary of the National Association, is a resident of Chicago, and has been working untiringly for the success of the great parade. The military man in charge of the parade in Chicago has sent word that it must be "reviewed." As the President of the United States will not be in Chicago, he cannot review it. The Governor of Illinois or the Mayor of Chicago cannot be asked to review it since it is a National affair. The military director therefore says that the proper people are the National officers. The National Board will be at the front of the parade, and when they come to the reviewing stand, which seats 1700 people, they will leave the procession, take their places in the front row of the stand, and review the passing lines. The marchers will salute as they pass and the Board will salute in return. From Chicago the officers of the National Association will proceed direct to St. Louis, where the headquarters are at the Warwick Hotel. "An equal suffrage plank in every party platform" is their slogan, this being the final step in the big drive they have been making for months to secure from the Republican and Democratic parties a declaration in favor of the principle of votes for women on equal terms with men. Press Bureau, National Congressional Committee, For immediate release. National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Building, Washington, D.C. Washington, July 10. - The question of when Congress will adjourn bids likely to be a matter of as much moment with the National Congressional Committee as their poll, carrying, as it does, its inference to the national convention of the Association, which for obvious reasons will be held this year three months ahead of its usual time of meeting. The work of Congress seems planned to continue unabated and the Congressional Committee, now numbering nine, has been increased by a new member, Miss Ruth White, of Kansas City, Missouri, who will also act as secretary of the body. Miss White comes into the congressional work of the National American Woman Suffrage Association with a record of unusual and effective activity, especially for so young a woman. As a member of the now famous commission of Mayor Jost of Kansas City for the relief of the unemployed during the winter of 1914-15, Miss White was one of the six women who established a large municipal sewing-room, a municipal sales-room, and employment bureau; and as a director of the industrial department of the Child's Welfare. Exhibit, she accomplished results which attracted wide attention in the philanthropic world and was held by "The Survey" to be a model of its kind. Previous to her work on the mayor's commission, Miss White investigated the wages and working conditions of the women workers of Kansas City. The new secretary of the Congressional Committee is a Wellesley College girl, who supplemented her studies in Berlin and took a postgraduate course in Economics and Political Science at the University of Wisconsin. As well as having served as chairman of the Industrial Relations Committee of the Consumer's League of Kansas City and Director of the Woman's City League, Miss White was chairman of the literature committee of the Missouri State Suffrage Association during the campaign in Missouri in 1914 and had charge of the organization in Plymouth and Kingston in the recent Massachusetts campaign. Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Muncey Bldg., Washington, D.C. For release Monday, July 17, 1918. Washington, July 16. — Hon. Jouett Shouse, a member of the House of Representatives from Kansas, has been chosen by the National Council of Women Voters as the speaker from Washington to address them at their national convention at Cheyenne, Wyoming. The convention will be held from July 26th to 29th and will be composed of women delegates from all the enfranchised states. An unusual interest centers about the message Mr. Shouse will give the women in answer to their question as to how they may help the women in the rest of this country to gain the ballot in the quickest way. "I will tell them," said Mr. Shouse when interviewed, "that their cause must make its way through educational rather than militant lines. Equal suffrage must spread through the education of men, not the antagonizing of them. The very keynote of success lies in avoiding all appearances of militancy and in perfecting a system to educate the indifferent men." Mr. Shouse went on to explain that the majority of men were not opposed to woman suffrage, merely indifferent to it. "The first and best class of non-suffragist," Mr. Shouse said, " is the indifferent man; the second is the man who honestly does not believe in women voting; the man who has failed to keep abreast of the times and in whose eyes some special lines of progress may seem novel and baneful; now comes the third class, the men who are opposed to suffrage because they are tied up with the liquor interests and all that goes with these interests -- the group is small, but most alert and active, and to fight women suffrage is a regular part of its business. The great field for suffrage work is with the average man. One can say of woman suffrage that can be said of no other cause under the sun -- that there is not a single argument in the world against it. Consider this and also consider that the average man is fair to any proposition that is put before him in a way that appeals to his intelligence and not his prejudice. The personality and the methods of the propagandist must be in keeping with the average man's ideals of the women of his own kin. It is also an undisputed fact that men are most swayed by the views held by the women of their own set or social circle. So the suffrage work's task is to interest women in all sets. When this is effected in a thorough, systematic way in every locality in the land, women suffrage is won." Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Muncey Bldg., Washington, D. C. For Monday papers, (August 14). 1916 Washington, August 13. -- By return mail, in answer to a questionnaire, sixteen candidates for Congress in Pennsylvania have already promised to do everything in their power to obtain favorable action on the federal suffrage amendment, if they are elected. Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, announced today that she had already received replies from 19 of the Pennsylvania candidates, of whom 16 answered yes to all three of the following questions. 1. Are you in favor of woman suffrage? 2. If elected will you vote in Congress to submit to the states a Federal amendment to enfranchise the women of this country? 3. If appointed on a committee in whose jurisdiction such an amendment should fall, will you do all in your power to expedite the passage of such a measure? Even the three who did not answer squarely yes now, Mrs. Roessing said, did not say no. They asked for more time in which to reply. The questions are being sent to every candidate for either House of Congress, but those to Pennsylvania were sent first, and there has so far only been time for "return mail" replies. The large number of favorable replies sent in so promptly in causing joy at the headquarters of the National Association, and a telegram telling the glad news was dispatched to Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, the National president, by Mrs. Roessing tonight. Belief that this presages gains in the other states, and that a large majority of the candidates to be elected in November will be pro-suffrage has grown stronger and stronger in National headquarters as letter after letter pledging support came in. "In previous years," said Mrs. Roessing," we have addressed such inquiries, but the difference not only in the tone of the replies, but in their actual number, is amazing this year. Men are writing us frank replies this year who have always up to this time put aside our -2- questions. Men are pledging just what we want this year who previously evaded us. "It is too early for us to make any predictions yet on our returns, - we did not send out the letters to candidates in all the state at once. The first to go out were those addressed to candidates from Pennsylvania, and I am basing my comments largely on the prompt returns from that state." Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Bldg., Washington, D. C. For immediate release. Washington, August 16. -Neither the Democrats nor the republicans can "deliver" the federal woman suffrage amendment, Secretary of the Navy Daniels pointed out today, in a plea to the suffragists not to align themselves with either party. In a talk with Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, vice president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and chairman of its Congressional Committee, Mr. Daniels urged that the Association maintain its present non-partisan attitude. neither party, he declared, could count upon a two-thirds majority in either House of Congress, and surely not in both houses, following the November elections. Consequently, he said, if the suffragists should work for one party, and against the other, they would find themselves at the next session with the bitter opposition of the party against which they had worked. If the women should align themselves with the Republican Party, Mr. Daniels said, naturally some democrats would feel a great deal of resentment. This might even extend, he warned, to partisan opposition to suffrage in the state legislatures, after the federal; amendment should be submitted, provided that by taking a partisan attitude the suffragist did not defeat their own ends in Congress. "I told Secretary Daniels," Mrs. Roessing said after the conference, "that while i could not speak for the National Association, I would, at its convention in Atlantic City September 6, advises the delegates to maintain their present non-partisan attitude. Mrs. Catt, our president, after talking with President Wilson two weeks ago, also said she would urge the association against entering partisan politics. "Mr. Daniels expressed his disbelief that either party would have a two-thirds majority in either house of Congress, and pointed out in addition that the personal belief of the candidate for the presidency did not bind his party to that course of action. Yet if the suffragists should unite behind any candidates, or with any party, he told Press Bureau, Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Bldg., Washington, D. C. For release Friday, August 18. Washington, August 17. -- There will be no vote on the federal suffrage amendment, Senator Thomas of Colorado, chairman of the Senate Woman Suffrage Committee, announced today following a canvass of the upper house which revealed the absence of half a dozen suffrage members. Mr. Thomas informed Mrs. Frank N. Roessing, chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, of his view that, as adjournment of congress is now expected before all of the suffrage senators will return Washington, it would be useless to force a vote on the amendment at this session. Mrs. Roessing, who has also made a poll with the same idea in view, agreed with Senator Thomas, and no effort will now be made by either Mr. Thomas or the women to force a vote. In addition to the absence of some western senators who favor suffrage, but who have been obliged to go out into their state campaigned there is the time element. Senator Thomas said he had written letters to all of the senators, asking if a vote could be had on the federal suffrage amendment without debate. He received replies in the negative from both Democrats and Republicans. The present schedule, which calls for adjournment on or before September 9, would not permit of any more measures on the program that would require time for debate. "We realize," said Mrs. Roessing today, "that some of our western senators having gone home for their state campaigns and not being expected back in Washington until the beginning of the session which meets in December, to force a vote now would be to do so when our friends could not all be present. My own investigation shows clearly that Senator Thomas is right about not forcing a vote at this time." "How about the threat that if President Wilson did not put through the Susan B. Anthony amendment before election, he would be fought by the women at the polls," Mrs. Roessing was asked. -2- "The National Association has made no such threat," replied Mrs. Roessing. "So far we have been strictly non-partisan. What action we will take, even about individual candidates, must be determined at our convention which meets in Atlantic City September 6. My personal advice will be to continue the non partisanship the the National organization which has secured every suffrage victory thus far in this country, including the success in the 13 states where women are enfranchised." Press Bureau, For immediate release. Congressional Committee, National American Woman Suffrage Assn., 920 Munsey Bldg. Washington, D. C. Washington, August 28 -- In the hope of depriving the opponents of woman suffrage of the sinews of war, Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, Chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association will call upon Senator Owen at once to see what assistance can be given to secure the passage of the Owen Corrupt Practices Act. Mrs. Roessing expressed the hope today that Senator Owen would succeed in his fight to put his bill through at the present session. If the bill is delayed Mrs. Roessing plans to bring it up for consideration at the Annual Convention of the National Association in Atlantic City September 6th and secure National support from the women there for this measure. "Why should every corrupt influence which does not want the women to vote be permitted to spend all the money it thinks is necessary to defeat our referendum?" she asked. "We have found, time and again, in our state fights, that large sums of money were being poured out to defeat us. Sometimes we could trace these streams to their sourse, usually finding some corrupt influence. Other times we could not. The corrupt practices act should make it possible for us always to know who was opposing us, if the law was enforced, and ofttimes that very knowledge would create such a reaction on the voters that it would do our cause great good. "To cite an instance, we found a subsidiary of the Boston and Maine Railroad took occasion to oppose our referendum in New Hampshire. Why this big corporation should fear the effect of the entrance of women into the electorate I leave to the imagination. Certainly the motive was not a healthy one, nor one which the railroad company would relish explaining. The report of the Public Service Commission of New Hampshire characterized this activity against suffrage and other legislative proposals as a "gross breach of trust and a fraud on the stockholder." "It is very amusing for the women who were fought by the Boston -2- and Maine on that occasion to hear the plea now being made that the railroads cannot afford to grant an increase in wages. We do know that the railroads could afford to spend money to beat woman suffrage in New Hampshire. "In the Pennsylvania fight, in which I was personally engaged, we found the liquor interests our chief opponents. The State Brewers' Association fought us desperately. Reports from West Virginia indicate that it is the liquor interests in that state which are furnishing most of the money in the fight against us. Passage of the Owen Corrupt Practices bill would help us amazingly in West Virginia and South Dakota, where we have fights for amendments to the state constitutions this fall. "If Senator Owen does not succeed in the few remaining days of this session, we shall encourage him to keep up the fight for the limitation of campaign expenditures, and full publicity for campaign contributors, because this legislation will make our path easier in every state fight on which we embark." incomplete 3. could be made during the present unsettled state of national affairs, due to the declaration of war, and they held that the progress of the Federal Amendment would be advanced rather than retarded by a suspension of activities until the national situation should be clarified by the enactment of the war measures being considered by this special session of Congress. None of the four who did not vote considered that the issue raised by the motion contemplated the cessation of activities for more than a few weeks, it being the generally accepted opinion that adjournment would come by June 1st. Mrs. Catt's consent to call a join conference of the National Board and the Congressional Committee led the Committee to feel that no more definite action need to be taken by them prior to this conference. So no other motions were put. A discussion as to whether the Board or the Board and the Committee jointly would have the right to put aside temporarily work for a vote on the Federal Amendment brought out the expression of two opposite views: 1st, that the convention at Atlantis City having instructed us to do our utmost to put the Amendment through Congress, no lesser body would have the right to drop that work, even temporarily; 2nd, on the other hand, it was argued that the declaration of war has so changed the entire situation that convention orders given prior to that declaration should not be considered binding under present conditions. Sincerely yours, Ruth White Secy. National Congressional Committee. NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION BRANCH OF INTERNATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE ALLIANCE AND OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN HONORARY PRESIDENT DR. ANNA HOWARD SHAW, 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK PRESIDENT MRS. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK 1ST VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. WALTER MCNAB MILLER 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK 2ND VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. STANLEY MCCORMICK 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK 3RD VICE-PRESIDENT MISS ESTHER G. OGDEN 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK TREASURER MRS. HENRY WADE ROGERS 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK CORRESPONDING SECRETARY MRS. FRANK J. SHULER 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK RECORDING SECRETARY MRS. THOMAS JEFFERSON SMITH RICHMOND, KENTUCKY 1ST AUDITOR MISS HELOISE MEYER 920 MUNSEY BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C. 2ND AUDITOR MRS. PATTIE RUFFNER JACOBS ALTAMONT ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, ALA. NATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. PRESIDENT MISS ESTHER G. OGDEN 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK TELEPHONE, 4819 MURRAY HILL CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MRS. FRANK M. ROESSING HEADQUARTERS 920 MUNSEY BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D. C. 1626 Rhode Island Avenue, Washington, D. C., January 29, 1917. Mrs. C. W. McClure, 1257 South Jefferson Street, Saginaw, Mich. My dear Mrs. McClure: Mrs. Park asked me to write you with regard to Congressmen Beakes. We have no report on him from you but Mrs. Parks thinks that you saw him while you were here. If she is correct in this impression, will you kindly send us a report on the interview as soon as you can conveniently? Cordially yours, Ruth White Secretary, National Congressional Committee. RW:MHH COPY March 12, 1917 To the Presidents and Congressional Chairmen: NEW NATIONAL CHAIRMAN-- This will announce to you, that Mrs. Walter McNab Miller, who has served much against her as Chairman of the National Congressional Committee, has resigned. The position has been accepted by Mrs. Maud Wood Park, who will be in charge for the next Congress. She in reality has had charge of the lobby work during the past winter and is most executive and efficient. Miss Ruth White, also very efficient, was reappointed Secretary of the Congressional Committee. WEAK SPOTS-- I have been in Washington a good detl during the past winter, and I have learned to locate the weak spots in consequence. With the aid of Miss Rankin, I believe we shall get our bill through the House the coming winter, and I hope before the next Congress adjourns through the Senate ts well. We cannot do this however without the very sincere and complete co-operttion of the States. I beg you, as chair man of the congressional work in your state, to completethe appointments of congressional district chairman as soon as possible. These persons should be familiar with suffrage work and loyal to our non-partisan policies. They should at the same time be persons of influence and standing in the community, for this counts tremendously when we enter politics. Each congressional district chairman should make herself an authority upon the one man who represents her district. She should know his religions,his business ,his associates, his history ,his character and especially, the influences which elected him and which most closely affect him. The complete organization of the congressional districts of your state tells tremendously upon its members in Congress, and the organization of any one district tells upon its own member. You may be sure that when some of the districts have no chairman and are badly organized that the weakness is never lost upon your congressional member. PAGE 2. ORGANIZATION-- Each congressional district chairman should make it her particular business to see that an organization is effect in her congressman's own town, if it does not exist. INTERVIEWS-- An extra session of Congress has been called for April 16th. Tlthough the congressmen were enterviewed in many states, it is absolutely necessary that all new members be interviewed at this time. The non-committed members should also htve attention. We shall send to each new member a copy of the Federal Amendment book, and we shall from time to time send them additional literature. We shall not send them the fliers, a package of which we send to ou by same mail. These may be ordered and used by you with your congressmen if you like. We strongly tdvise a deputation to your congressman, urging him not only to vote for the Federal Amendment, but to work for it. Our bills will be introduced into two Houses at once, and probably we shall have our hearing early, but we will not push for a vote in the extrt session, as we need time for additional work. I do not entreat you to work hard in every direction which can influence the members of your state. We must not only have a solid vote from your state, but we should also have men to anzious to oecure the submission of the amendment that they will work for its submission. NATIONAL HELPS--- Each chairman of a congressional district should prepare a list of persons, menchiefly, who have political influence with their congressman. Naturally, if it is a republican district this list should be mostly republican; and if it is a democratic district, the list should be mostly democratic. If, however, the man has been elected by a minority, appeals from the opposing party are very effective. Make these lists as long as possible and work hard at them for the next few weeks. Please send them to Mrs. Park in Washington. Please educate these people concerning the Federal Amendment and why we want it. We shall ask these people tosend letters and telegrams to their representatives in Washington when needed, but they must first to be tcquainted with the fact that they will be so requested. We need a carefully sifted list. OUR FAITH-- We believe that if the women of the various states will stand by the Federal Amendment and work for it to their utmost, we shall get it through this coming Congress. We beg you not to fail us. Cordially yours, (Signed) Carrie Chapman Catt President NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION Carrie Chapman Catt, President, 1626 Rhode Island Avenue, Washington, D.C. 1917 PRESS BUREAU, Gertrude Mosshart, Chairman. Wash.--- March 20-- In view of the possible earlier date of the extra session of Congress, Mrs. Maud Wood Park, chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, is sending out a hurry call to the members of her committee to meet in Wahington. This will bring together for the Federal Amendment campaign a corps of experienced legislative workers, including Mrs. Medill McCormick, former chairman of the committee, whose husband is one of the congressmen-at-large from Illinois; Mrs. Frank M. Roessing of Pennsylvania, also a former chairman of the Committee; Mrs. J. Borden Harriman of New York and Washington, former member of the United States Industrial Commission; Miss Heloise Meyer, of Massachusetts, Mrs. Helen Gardener of Washington, Miss Mary Garret Hay of New York, Mrs. Winston Churchill of New Hampshire, Mrs. Robert Griffin of New York, Miss Martha Norris of Ohio, Mrs. C. W. McClure of Michigan, Mrs. T. T. Cotnam of Arkansas, Mrs. Emma Smith LeVoe, who is also president of the National Council of Women Voters, and Mrs. Seward Simons of California. At the same time instructions have been issued to the state workers to line up their forces for the most determined drive yet made to secure the passage of the Federal Amendment enfranchising women. NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY MRS. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT, PRESIDENT CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MRS. WALTER MCNAB MILLER VICE-CHAIRMAN, MRS. MAUD WOOD PARK SECRETARY, MISS RUTH WHITE MEMBERS MISS HELOISE MEYER, Massachusetts MRS. FRANK M. ROESSING, Pennsylvania MRS. MEDILL MCCORMICK, Illinois MRS. HELEN GARDINER, District of Columbia MRS. J. BORDEN HARRIMAN, New York MISS MARY GARRETT HAY, New York MISS MARTHA NORRIS, Ohio MRS. WINSTON CHURCHILL, New Hampshire MRS. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN, Nebraska MRS. ROBT. GRIFFIN, New York MRS. C. W. MCCLURE, Michigan MRS. T. T. COTNAM, Arkansas MRS. EMMA SMITH DEVOE, Washington MRS. SEWARD ADAMS SIMONS, California STATE CONGRESSIONAL CHAIRMEN: MRS. C. H. COLLIER, Alabama MRS. FRANCES W. MUNDS, Arizona MRS. O. F. ELLINGTON, Arkansas MRS. MARY MCKENRY KEITH, California MRS. LUCY J. HARRINGTON, Colorado MRS. A. E. SCRATON TAYLOR, Connecticut MISS MARY A. OSPINA, Delaware REV. MARY SAFFORD, Florida MRS. RICHARD BURKE, Idaho MRS. JUDITH W. LOWENTHAL, Illinois MISS ANNA B. LAWTHER, Iowa MRS. ALEXANDER HUGH SCOTT, Indiana MRS. W. Y. MORGAN, Kansas MRS. SAMUEL C. HENNING, Kentucky MRS. LYDIA MCKLIFFE HOLMES, Louisiana MRS. KATHERINE REED BALENTINE, Maine MISS EMMA WEBER, Maryland MRS. LEWIS J. JOHNSON, Massachusetts MRS. ORTON H. CLARK, Michigan MRS. ANDREAS UELAND, Minnesota MRS. CHARLES PASSMOREE, Missouri MISS PAULIN V. ORR, Mississippi MRS. HARVEY COIT, Montana MRS. E. L. BURKE, Nebraska MISS FELICE COHN, Nevada MRS. ROBERT P. JOHNSTON, New Hampshire MRS. ROBERT S. HUSE, New Jersey MRS. W. E. LINSEY, New Mexico MRS. JAMES LEES LAIDLAW, New York MRS. FRANCES L. BOLLEY, North Dakota MRS. HARRIET TAYLOR UPTON, Ohio DR. ESTHER POHL-LOVEJOY, Oregon MRS. J. O. MILLER, Pennsylvania MISS ELIZABETH UPHAM YATES, Rhode Island MRS. JOHN PYLE, South Dakota MRS. HENRY J. KELSO, Tennessee MRS. HELEN MOORE, Texas MRS. EMILY RICHARDS, Utah MRS. FRANCES H. RASTALL, Vermont MRS. JOHN H. LEWIS, Virginia MRS. GEORGE A. SMITH, Washington MRS. ELLIS A. YOST, West Virginia MRS. BEN HOOPER, Wisconsin DR. GRACE R. HEBARD, Wyoming HEADQUARTERS 1626 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE, N. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. March 29, 1917. Mrs. C. W. McClure, Signal Mountain Hotel Signal Mountain, Tenn. My dear Mrs. McClure: I have just a moment to dash off a hasty reply to your letter of March 27th. I will answer more at length tomorrow. I do think that you did exactly right in saying that you would not do organization work without Mrs. Dudley's approval. I think it is splendid, however, that you are willing to do it if she does approve. I feel certain, of course, that she will be delighted to have your help unless there is some local complication which we do not understand, and, in that case, I think she would be quite frank with you. I am sending off a little literature to you tonight and will get off some more tomorrow. I do hope you can come to our Congressional Committee meeting on April 11th. We need you then. The call to this meeting was sent out on March 21st, and was, of course, sent to your Saginaw address. I suppose it was forwarded to you. We are counting on your coming. More tomorrow. Hastily yours, Ruth White Secretary, National Congressional Committee. RW:MHH Affectionate greetings! CONGRESSIONAL AIDES ALABAMA: Mrs. Solon H. Jacobs Mrs. Lillian Roden Bowron Mrs. John A. Lusk Mrs. Milton Humes CALIFORNIA: Mrs. James Ellis Tucker Mrs. Mabel Craft Deering COLORADO: Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford Mrs. Ellis Meredith CONNECTICUT: Mrs. John Prince Elton Mrs. Frederick S. Chase DELAWARE: Mrs. John S. Brassington DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Mrs. Newton D. Baker Mrs. Louis Brandeis Mrs. David F. Houston Mrs. Anson Mills GEORGIA: Mrs. Emily C. McDougald Mrs. Mary L. McLendon ILLINOIS: Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout Mrs. Harrison Munro Brown Mrs. Raymond Robins Mrs. William Severin Mrs. Hannah G. Solomon Miss Harriet Vittum Mrs. Francis D. Everett Mrs. Charles H. Zimmerman Mrs. George Bass Mrs. Mary Morrisson INDIANA: Mrs. T. Arthur Stuart Dr. Amelia Keller Anna Dunn Noland Mrs. Lewis Cox Mrs. Horace I. Stillwell Mrs. Orid B. Jameson KANSAS: Mrs. Lucy B. Johnston KENTUCKY: Mrs. John G. South Mrs. T. Jefferson Smith Mrs. Henry R. Whiteside Mrs. Joseph Alderson Mrs. Herbert W. Mengel Mrs. Robinson A. McDowell Mrs. Edward M. Port LOUISIANA: Mrs. John F. Odom MASSACHUSETTES: Mrs. Katherine H. MIllard Mrs. Gertrude Halliday Leonard Mrs. Samuel Powers Mrs. Oakes Ames Mrs. Robert Gould Shaw Pres. Mary E Wooley, Mt. Holyoke College Mrs. Walter Prichard Eaton Mrs. Glendower Evans Mrs. Jeannette B. Peabody MARYLAND: Mrs. Robert Moss Mrs. A. C. Hill Mrs. Charles E. Ellicott Mrs. T. J. Linthicum MICHIGAN: Rev. Caroline Bartlett Crane Mrs. Cary W. Dunton Mrs. Abby Beecher Roberts Mrs. John R. Santo Mrs. James B. Balch Mrs. E. A. Blakeslee Mrs. E. L. Calkins Mrs. Wm. H. Anderson MISSOURI: Mrs. Morrison Fuller Mrs. John B. White Mrs. Emily Newell Blair Mrs. Philip Fouke MINNESOTA: Mrs. Charles C. Moller Mrs. Harrison Gardner Foster NEBRASKA: Mrs. W. E. Barkley Mrs. Charles H. Dietrich NEW JERSEY: Mrs. Otto Wittpenn Mrs. George Mason La Monte Mrs. Everett Colby Mrs. Philip McKim Garrison Mrs. Thomas G. Haight Mrs. John Jay White NEW MEXICO: Mrs. A. A. Kellam NEW YORK: Mrs. Ernest Thompson Seton Mrs. Henry White Cannon Mrs. George Hubbell Mrs. Bernhard Hoffman Miss Mary Wood NORTH DAKOTA: Miss Mary E. McCumber OHIO: Mrs. Samuel B. Sneath RHODE ISLAND: Mrs. James DeWolf Perry TENNESSEE: Mrs. Guilford Dudley TEXAS: Mrs. B. J. Cunningham Miss M. Eleanor Brackenridge VIRGINIA: Mrs. B. B. Valentine VERMONT: Dr. Grace W. Sherwood Mrs. Oliver C. Ashton Mrs. Henry W. Clement WEST VIRGINIA: Miss Florence Hoge WYOMING: Mrs. Joseph Carey Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.