But many of the women members had made up their minds that this clause must appear in the Basis, and under the leadership of Mrs. Pember Reeves, they had indicated they would vote for the Special Committee Report unless they got their way.  Those who, like myself, regarded this amendment of the Basis as inexpedient, recognised also that the adoption of the Wells report was far more inexpedient, and the Executive consequently decided to support a proposal that they be instructed to submit an addition to the Basis declaring for equal citizenship for men and women.  On January 11th, 1907, Mrs. Pember Reeves obtained precedence for a resolution to this effect, and she was seconded by Mrs. Sidney Webb, who, after fourteen years of membership, was now beginning to take a part in the business of the Society.  The opposition was led by Dr. Mary O’Brien Harris, who objected not to the principle but to its inclusion in the Basis, but she was unsuccessful, and the instruction was carried.

On January 18th the debate on the Executive resolutions was resumed, and it was resolved to increase the Executive Committee to twenty-one, to form three standing Sub-Committees, and to abolish the old restrictions on membership.  On February 1st the debate on Political Action began, and largely turned on the question whether we should attempt to found a Socialist Party or should subordinate our political activity to the Independent Labour Party.  As the first step towards founding a middle-class Socialist Party was to be the establishment of Fabian Societies throughout the country, those of us who like myself did not believe in the possibility of the proposed new party could none the less support the scheme.  Co-operation with the Labour Party was not in question; nor was the continuance of our friendly relations with the I.L.P., but the proposal to subordinate our political activity to the latter society met with but little support, and finally on March 2nd the Executive resolution to appoint a Committee for the purpose of drawing up a political policy was adopted against a very small minority.  Mr. Wells took very little part in the proceedings after the Second Reading debate, and only one speech of his is mentioned in the report.

* * * * *

Meanwhile the controversy was being fought out on another field.  The January meetings had settled the number of the new Executive and decided how the Basis should be altered.  The Executive therefore was now able to summon the Annual Meeting in order to make the necessary amendments to the Rules.  This was held on February 22nd, when the resolutions were adopted without discussion.  The meeting then took up some minor items in the Report, and in particular certain other amendments to the Basis proposed by individual members.  On these a resolution was carried that the new Executive appoint a Committee to revise the Basis.  The Committee was in fact appointed, and consisted of Bernard Shaw, Sidney Webb, H.G.  Wells, and Sidney Ball of Oxford.  Mr. Wells resigned from the Society before its labours were completed, and no report was ever presented.