The Torch Bearer | Page 5

of our respective organizations; that we give our
paper a backing as much to be reckoned with as the so-called women's
publications that are so conspicuous on the news-stands. It can be done.
We have the power.
Doing it is bound to mean more education and more organization. For
the Journal fills its readers with zeal for the cause; it makes them want
to work for it; and it makes them well informed, efficient workers. By
taking this one step we have the power to put the entire movement on a
new footing!
But how is the paper to be put into the hands of all suffragists? They
are many and to send them a well-edited, well-printed paper will be
expensive. How are bills and loans already incurred to be met? By gifts
and legacies from individuals as in the past--in the uphill, undignified
way? Or by getting all readers of the Journal, all believers in it as an
educator, to join themselves into a mighty army to enroll as subscribers
for the Journal every possible member of a suffrage organization?
Until the second way shall be in operation long enough--say, two
years--to have a chance to work out successfully, there is absolutely no
question but that the needs of the situation must be met in the first way.
But must it be done by begging--in humiliation undeserved--or will
those who are able consider it a privilege, an opportunity, to take the
burden from the backs that are bent and sore from carrying it?
* * * * * In the Balance
If this were the crucial moment in a campaign and you saw that votes
for a suffrage amendment were in the balance, you would give of the

best that you have, with all the fervency of your heart. But campaigns
are not won in a day. They are won only by constant and untiring
advance work. The Woman's Journal does a big share of this advance
work. The Journal is always in campaign. The Journal needs your help
now and it needs it given as freely as if a critical Election Day were
only six weeks off. The campaigns of this year and the next few years
are in the balance now. A privilege, an opportunity for furthering a
great world movement, waits on those who are able.
* * * * *

=Taken Into Our Confidence=
In the following pages our readers and the great body of suffragists are
taken quite generally into our confidence. If they see any skeletons in
the closets, we shall ask them to remember that we did not want the
skeletons there.
All persons who have ever tried to raise money for a worthy cause, all
suffragists who have given balls and bazaars, all who have labored to
make an audience pledge its last dollar for suffrage, all who have ever
tried to run an impecunious newspaper, all who have ever tried to
finance any kind of a movement for the betterment of mankind, will
know that the figures given here are written in blood and should be read
only by those of an understanding and sympathetic heart.
1908--1915
Cost Circulation
1909.................. $5,303 2,328
1910.................. 10,020 3,989
1911.................. 18,510 15,275
1912.................. 24,499 19,309
1913.................. 24,588 20,309
1914.................. 27,509 21,303
1915.................. 38,137 27,634

[Illustration: THE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT Left to Right-First
row Haxel McCormik, Franklin Grammar School Marie Spink,
Western Reverse University, Ethel Costello, Cambridge Commercial
College, Second row: Helen Hegarthy, Charlestown High, Eleanor

Falvey, South Boston High, Edith Mosher, Comer's Commercial
College, Agnes McCarthy, South Boston High, Mary Collins, St.
Joseph's Academy Third row: Isabel McCormick, Boston University;
Donna Cox, Belmont High, Ethel Johnson, Fisher Business College,
Lucia Gilbert, Berlin High.]
[Illustration: THE GENERAL STAFF
Left to Right--First row Vina Smith, Wellesley College, Agnes E. Ryan,
Boston University, Elizabeth Costello, Comer's Commercial College,
Howard L. Blackwell, Harvard University. Second row Carlisle Morris,
Harvard University, Mildred Hadden, Western Reserve University,
Henry Bailey Stevens, Dartmouth College, Ethel Power. Third row Joe
B. Hosmer, University of Missouri, Mary Gallagher, Bryant and
Stratton Commercial School, Thomas Kennedy, Mary Healey, Fisher
Business College, Thomas McGrath, Lawrence Grammar School.]

=Some Changes=
To the friends of the Woman's Journal who used to visit its office on
Beacon Street, and remember the tiny room with its staff of two or
three workers, the pictures of the office staff on the accompanying
pages will come as a surprise. This is the 1916 staff, however, and the
movement has grown most encouragingly in every branch since the
quiet days on Beacon Street.
Every phase of the Journal work, from handling a subscription list of
about 30,000 to answering a thousand and one questions of debaters,
press chairmen and speakers, has grown to such proportions that it has
been necessary to divide the