Please return (Mrs. Greeley cannot come now.) My dear Mrs. Olzendam I am writing this so that once you may be sur- prised by a word out of the silence - Burlington. Friday we expect to manage a meeting of our executive board and heads of committees for a discussion of your letters - and other matters. Personally I like the idea of a suffrage con- ference with a national speaker. Mrs. Putnam spoke to me recently about the possibility of Mrs. Helen Hoy Greely's coming from N.Y.C. in connection with "Mil'y Rank for Army Nurses" - Would Mrs. Greely be the type of person to bring to Bennington? If so it might be possible to use her at this time with little ex- pense. This is not even a suggestion - it is a question. I knew Mrs. G. personally in N.Y.C. and liked her very much. I feel, however, that there is a question as to whether Bennington people would under- stand and accept her at once. I have wished very much that Mrs. Hale, B.F.R. might come here. She seems to me just the type for this town. We tried for her once but the price was prohibitive. Mrs. Spargo is not able at this time to at this time to under- take any extra [illegible] for suffrage since at present she is engaged in a very important one of her own, getting ready to present Mr. Spargo with a "real live doll" for a Christmas gift. As for me I have no original ideas - less so now than ever because our personal family affairs are very much in upheaval at present. We may stay in Bennington indefinitely and we may have to be- gin to pack tomorrow. In the latter case, as you can see, I could do nothing no connection with a conference. But if I am here I shall be very glad to help work up anything which may seem best to the state officers - and I am sure that it would go on without me very nicely, at any point I did receive your letter regarding Ratification. Since, however there are no meeting of women at this season the advice has fallen on stony ground. Very Sincerely Yours, Lisa M. Wilkinson Bennington, Vt. September 8, 1919 P.S. Since writing the above I have called Mrs. Spargo and talked a bit with her. While She cannot promise much she would do what she could should you wish a County Convention. She could furnish you names of people interested in the different towns of the county whom you might interview and get to help you in working up a convention. L.M.W. Will you please think this over & let me know how it strikes you? L.