Rejoicing was expressed over the many victories during the year, the
endorsement by large organizations--the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, the Anti-Saloon League, the Women's Relief
Corps and others; a plank for woman suffrage in all national party
platforms; a favorable declaration by all presidential candidates and
for the first time the sanction of the President of the United States.
The report of Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, chairman of the National
Congressional Committee, gave so complete an account of the situation
at the time the great "drive" for the Federal Amendment was begun that
it is largely reproduced.

At the opening of the 64th Congress in December, 1915, several
political leaders interested in the progress of social and
economic legislation stated that 1916 would be a lean year in
Congress for such movements. It was pointed out that particularly
in the Senate some of the most reactionary men had been returned
at the preceding election. It is also a presidential election
year and neither of the great parties is willing to take one
unnecessary step which in its judgment may tend to add to the
number of its adversaries or to its vulnerable points in some
particular section of the country. All of the 435 members of the
House and one-third of the Senators come up for re-election in
November of this year--they, too, are shy and sensitive. Some
legislation, notably child labor after it had been endorsed by
the National Democratic platform, successfully ran the gauntlet
but not so our Federal Suffrage Amendment. It is with keen regret
your committee reports that it has not had action in either the
Senate or House of Representatives.

In the Senate the resolution was introduced Dec. 7, 1915, by
Senators Sutherland, Thomas and Thompson of Kansas and referred
to the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage. This committee
reported favorably resolution No. 1, introduced by Senator
Sutherland. The written report made from the committee by Senator
Thomas is one of the best pieces of literature on the subject and
copies were mailed to every State president and State chairman of
congressional work. Since that early date our measure has been on
the calendar. It has come to the top a number of times but at the
request of suffrage Senators has been held until a more