News Articles

SHORE TALKS IS PLAN

MRS. L. W. THERKELSEN BACKS NEW SUFFRAGE PROJECT.

Debate Between Dr. Clarence True Wilson and Picked Speaker Will Be Held Next Week.

Through the generosity of Mrs. L. W. Therkelsen, a movement has been started which has for its object the holding of suffrage meetings at the beach resorts. Arrangements are being made to secure a number of expert women lecturers on the subject, and all the various suffrage clubs and societies are being requested to ally themselves in this undertaking.

Already the Oregon State Equal Suffrage Association and the State Central Campaign Committee are in unison on the matter, and the idea has received the approval of Mrs. Sarah A. Evans, of the Woman’s Club. By the time that all the organizations have united and subscriptions been received, it will be possible to pursue an active campaign at the coast resorts.

“The importance of these holiday places cannot be overestimated,” said Mrs. Therkelsen, “for men and women come from all over the state. We can get a hearing from them down there, and the seeds that are sown then will bear fruit in many different parts of the state, for those who listen to our arguments will be advocates for the cause in their home district.”

Mrs. Ehrgott returns today from Woodburn, the last place to be visited on her tour of organization in Marion County. Details are arranged for her next trip, so that after a few local speeches she will again leave to pursue her activities in parts where organization is needed.

A debate that should prove interesting will be held shortly. Dr. Clarence True Wilson has offered to oppose any speaker for women’s suffrage at an open-air meeting some time next week. The Women’s Club campaign committee has accepted the challenge, but has not yet definitely made its choice of a speaker.

Printed slips bearing epigrams of John Mitchell, noted labor speaker, who is a strong believer in equal franchise, and who is to speak today at the Chautauqua, are being distributed around the park grounds. One of the statements he makes is: “I’m in perfect harmony with the declaration of the American Federation of Labor, which has indorsed the demand that woman be given the right to vote.” In another he says: “I have always stood for a square deal, and that’s the only square thing on the woman suffrage question as I see it,” while one more he adds, “I personally believe that it would be for the good of us all for woman to be enfranchised.”

Mrs. W. H. Fear, one of the Oregon delegates to the recent biennial convention of Federated Women’s Clubs, returned to Portland yesterday.