ASSOCIATION OF PRACTICAL HOUSEKEEPING CENTERS
NEW YORK, Feb. 27 1921
My dear Miss Addams,
There is so much more room on this letter head for talk that I shall use it this Sunday morning when for the first time I find myself with time to write to you.
The annual meeting date I think it unwise to change and equally unwise to change from New York to Washington. No one here wants a parade; even if Mr. Lamont and others form themselves into a disarmament committee they will demonstrate their disapproval on this increase of armament in some way other than by parading or financially backing a parade. Boston and other Eastern cities want the meeting here and I agree with you that because of delegates sailing for Europe we must have the meeting at the earliest possible date. Unless by Monday night you wire your disapproval the Annual Meeting will begin on Saturday afternoon with a reception at Mrs. Leachs (that will be April 9th.) Then in the evening will come the mass meeting. On Sunday Miss Crook will preach at some church in the morning and the dinner will come that evening (April 10th). All of Monday the 11th and all of Sunday afternoon will be given up to meetings for business. The reason for not beginning on Friday the 8th rather than holding over through Monday is that the Philadelphia group of Friends cannot come over before Saturday night or Sunday morning. This way we get them in without putting off the meetings a whole week. Unless you wire at once the notices will go out for April 9-11.
Now about Europe! I enclose a note to Miss North which if you will read, it will save me from repeating myself here. I am putting down a deposit for an entire room on the [Noordam] for June the 11th. I can give up the two extra places at any time within three weeks of sailing while on the other hand it reserves two places for you to put delegates in who can't get on your ship.
Yesterday I had a long and understanding talk with Mrs. Leach about the future of the U.S. section of the [W.I.L.P.F.] I think it is doing well now. [Everyone] [page 2] seems to be at peace and freedom of action inside the organization is all there. Members are coming in and Miss Crook is enthusiastic and very satisfactory. When we have money enough she should travel and organize, for that is her best chance to help. I would like to see a woman in the office that just likes paper work. That is not Miss Crooks talent and it is too bad not to free her all the time for organization work. Every one wants her ↑to speak↓ but it is hard to let her go. So far so good. I am not humble. I take to myself a little of the credit for the last few weeks of achievement but I believe that a different kind of woman should now take up the banner and march ahead. I want a younger woman and a more flag carrying kind. I feel that our League should be represented on every platform these days that stands for disarmament and so a platform kind of chairman is what you want. I want to see a chairman that Miss Wald will not be able to say to as she did to me this week. "You are not a big enough person to put over a big parade." I do not say this with any spirit but perfect agreement with her. I was wondering if Mrs. Leach was not what we want. She is in every society that ever had a committee meeting. She is known every where and is thoroughly liked; and she was wanted awfully at the time I took the chairmanship. Her reason for not taking it at the time was that she could not stand the conflicting elements. Well there are none now and she is heart and soul with the League as it is now and very proud of the [personnel] and the spirit. If [it] seemed wise to you I could be the treasurer and so relieve Mrs. Leach of that office. She has money and a house and she is the kind who sits always in the front seat and is big enough to command notice at all times. I know I am right and I believe that she would do it if it is to your liking and if you will let me resign at the April meeting.
I will work hard just the same and now that Mrs. Leach and I have worked together we would continue to. This I have said to no one. I did tell Mrs. Leach that I felt that the League should be led by a more prominent leader but beside that this is all a secret until I hear from you.
Will you stay with me at the time of the Annual Meeting? If you are way down town; with Miss Walds feeling of ownership towards you, I think it will be a decided drawback to the whole affair. I have never attended one of the Annual Meetings and you must be in contact with me if it is to go well. If you would be more comfortable at the Cosmopolitan Club I will gladly put you up there. Now I have given you much to answer and shall wait eagerly for your reply.
Affectionately
Mabel Hyde Kittredge [signed]
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