NAWSA             Subject File               Congressional Union
                                                        Ruutz- Rees, Caroline [Ruritz] [Rels]

ROSEMARY HALL,
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT.
HEADMISTRESSES' OFFICE

October 9th, 1914

My dear Miss Byrnes,
                                  Here are my notes promised you. Of course I need not 
remark that, to have any value, the minutes, should be appended, and also the 
copy of the second plan with Miss Burns remarks upon it, which is filed in 
the office. You will observe a slight discrepancy in my asking that 
question of Miss Burns about Miss Paul's consent to be Chairman whereas the
motion (afterwards, you will see, rescinded) was passed at the first meeting 
that the Chairman should be some member of the official board and that the 
other members should be:

Miss Paul, Miss Burns, Mrs. Medill McCormick, secretary
and treasurer; Mrs. Breckinridge, Mrs. Beard. It was at that time taken for 
granted that MissPaul and Miss Burns would refuse to be Chairman. 

Call me up any time you want further information or, if 
you will send me a note, I will manage to come in and you may question me even 
unto the third degree.

Yours sincerely,
Caroline Ruutz-Rees

[*My stenographer's third attempt!  [?] [?]
right over [?], but will [?] *]

Alternative Plans for Congressional Work presented by vote
of the Board to Miss Burns by Miss Ruutz-Rees on Dec. 11th,
together with comments made by Miss Burns. Plan No. I.
was proposed by Mrs. Breckinridge, plan No. II by Mrs.
McCormick with details by other members. 

I
Whereas the work of the Congressional Union is an
integral part of the work of the National Congressional Committee,
and whereas whatever suffrage work is undertaken with reference to
Congressional action is by the public inevitably considered as work
of the National Association we there fore ask that reports of work
done and work planned by the Congressional Union (which is so
closely interrelated to the National Congressional Committee) be
submitted through the National Congressional Committee with the
understanding

I.  That no money be raised by the Congressional Union in 
the name of the National Association without the knowledge and 
consent of the National Treasurer. 

II.  No organizer shall be sent into a state for Congressional
work without the consent and the cooperation of the presidents of
States Associations.

III.  And that the Congressional Union shall print its own
stationery and that the official stationery of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association be used only in case of definite committee
business and never for raising money. 


2

(Miss Burns does not think this would be acceptable
to Miss Paul)

II
That the National Congressional Committee and the
Congressional Union be separated in name.
(Would hate to change name of Congressional Union. But Miss B.
would take point up with Miss P. Might have been done earlier)

Separate headquarters and separate stationery. (Agreeable
to this.)
 
That Chairman of the National Congressional Committee be 
not the President of the Union.
(Could not answer. Would like to consider it. Can't really 
tell what Miss P's attitude would be. Would herself think it
feasible)

That there be no money raising in the name of the National
Congressional Committee except for strictly committee business.
(agreeable)

Account of the National Congressional Committee should be
rendered thro' the National Treasurer. 
(agreeable)

The annual financial report of the National Treasurer shall
contain a report of the donations of the Congressional Union to the
National Congressional Committee. 
(idea acceptable, but would substitute "report of all funds of
the Congressional Committee)

That a member of the National Congressional Committee shall
report personally to all regular Board meetings. 
(agreeable)

                                                                                                             3
                  That plans undertaken by the National Congressional
Committee involving the policy of the National Association be
submitted to the National Board.
          (agreeable)
                   That Press Bulletins involving the policy of the National
Association be not issued without approval by the authorized
representative of the National Board.
          (Idea all right but impracticable and indefinite. Would never
wish to make statement of policy without consulting National. Would
carefully supervise Press Bulletins. Realize the principle is 
essential and would do utmost to stand by it)
               
               That money for headquarters and office staff of one or
more be supplied by the N.A.W.S.A.
          (Personally Miss B. would think it might be arranged. Must 
           discuss with Miss Paul. Think it not insuperable.
                   That Congressional work in the states is the work of the
National Congressional Committee (work of this kind is for the
National Association to decide upon) and not of the Congressional
Union.     This would appear inconsistent with the other provisions.
Because idea of other provisions is that the Congressional Union
is an affiliated society which would have to consider itself what 
section would be necessary in future. 

Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.