What is the solution?  I want to propose a definite, practical, constructive solution,—­one that will not only lift the paper to self-support almost at once, but will strengthen the whole movement in the very things that Mrs. Chapman Catt and all others know is most needed,—­education and organization of women.  What I want to propose is that as suffragists we show what our present power is; that we show the strength of our present organization; that as leaders and workers, organizers and speakers, we get behind our paper and push it with all our might; that, so far as is humanly possible, we enroll as regular readers every member 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.

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=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.