434 Proceedings oi^ the 



think my constituents are!" We replied are we not 

 your constituents ? "Oh, yes, of course, I want to please 

 the ladies," he answered, and triflingly added, "but 

 you know the mosquitoes are too thick!" Disregard- 

 ing his trifling remark, the women of Minnesota are 

 desperately in earnest in this matter. We represent 

 the State Federation of Women's Clubs, which has a 

 membership of between six and seven thousand, and 

 you know that six or seven thousand women represent 

 collectively six or seven thousand husbands and a few 

 thousand sons, who will possibly vote as their fathers 

 vote. We grant you, the mosquitoes are thick, but 

 they could hardly disable you for your Congressional 

 duties, but beware of setting six or seven thousand 

 bees buzzing in women's bonnets. And, strange to 

 relate, the mercury began to rise until the atmosphere 

 was quite tropical. 



Some two weeks later, having retired from^ the field, 

 we dared to send a batch of petitions to this same 

 member, and received this gracious answer: "Yours 

 at hand, petitions submitted to the House and referred 

 to the Committee on Public Lands, and I desire to 

 assure you, if I can advance the interests of the forest 

 reserve movement in any way, command my services 

 at any time." 



Do not think our interview with the member was 

 intended to savor of intimidation. We simply stated 

 facts and gave a little kindly information. You know 

 a woman has no "axe to grind," she just speaks out 

 what is in her heart, and so sometimes it carries 

 weight — being a club woman, of course it carried 

 weight. 



I desire to say, in closing, that the passage of a bill 

 to increase the Navy of the United States, finds many 

 friends, and is an easy proposition compared with 



