Pens Scratch

Women may never feel truly emancipated as long as the proceedings of their literary, musical and dramatic organizations are usually reported under the heading of SOCIETY rather than under the heading of ART. Perhaps such reporting is a grave injustice, yet male scoffers do not entirely lack evidence for their feeling that, when women who combine the Arts with their Clubs, meet, the most vital issue before them is the question of who will pour the tea.

Last week, for example, the Chicago chapter of the League of American Pen Women lost an active and gained an honorary president with no literary principle involved either in the subtraction or the addition. Trouble began when some 175 members of the chapter gathered at the Union League Club, Chicago, for an annual luncheon which Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick was expected to attend "with ten guests." But came no Mrs. McCormick, no ten guests, no word from her.

The penwomen bore no grudge, elected Mrs. McCormick their honorary president, in her absence--on the ground that she too is a penwoman because she has helped to translate some 20 opera librettos into English.

Opposition, however, did develop, and strenuously. For up stood Mrs. Henry R. Rathbone, wife of Congressman Rathbone of Illinois and state president of the chapter, announced that if Mrs. McCormick after having failed to be on hand at the meeting, was made honorary president, her only recourse would be to resign forthwith. Whereupon Mrs. McCormick was made honorary president, by a vote of approximately 172 to 3, and Mrs. Rathbone kept her promise.

Said Mrs. Rathbone, later: "I regret that Mrs. McCormick is not more dependable. Such lack of cooperation is deplorable. In order to continue in this work, I would need dependable officers, the kind of women one can count on. The League apparently can expect little co-operation from Mrs. McCormick, and without such co-operation I, at least, can be of no further use as president of the Illinois Chapter.

"I am through with all club life. I am disgusted with it all and from now on shall devote myself to literature!"