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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 1919)
JPART TWO SOCIETY SECTION The Omaha Sunday Bb$ PART TWO SOCIETY SECTION VOL. XLVIII NO. 30. J- OMAHA, SUNDAY &ORNING, JANUARY 5, 1919. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS. omatis iti the oriel II I Women Have Made Good Everywhere Now Will They Return to Judge Boxes ? V X't tiule of partriotism, I believe. These women went into the positions of men who went to war as a mat:r of patriotism. Some of the return ing soldiers will not be satisfied with the old order of things and will want to perform bigger things than before. In cases where men do not wantthe jobs they should be given to o.men who really ..need them. Of 'course, I am in favor of giving eVery soldier his job back." Lovely sentiment! but will wo men in positions be "nlike every other class of htimai.- beings and re linquish that which she has earned by right of all the laws of society and business? Many women who have taken up war work are amazed at their own progress. They did not realize that women could accomplish so much until they were buckled into the harness and started uphill with the load Red Cross, or some other or ganization, as the driver. They found that life held quite a bit of interest out in the "cold, cruel world," and that the day really af forded time enough to attend to both the home and outside obliga tions. Women who earn money, we fear, will be even more reluctant to give up their positions. They have sensed opportunity will they hold fast in, what seems to them, self-defense? This year undoubtedly marks the dawn of a new era of endeavor for womankind, and that is why the whole world is agog with anticipa tion, unrest and misgivings as to where this change will lead the mothers of the race and into what civic melee we may find ourselves when the soldiers have returned from battle. Because this problem is such u momentous one, we wish to know the sentiment of our readers and let ters received by the society ed'tor will be given space in the columns of The Bee from time to time. Pub lic sentiment is the biggest fa-:tor in bringing about the proper result. What will it be? SCAT! Sho-o-o-! Get thee behind me ! Go away back and sit down! This is the order of the day for women, according to many of the leading theorists in serial welfare work. And they are not alone in their belief that women, who so brave ly came forth and shouldered the burdens which had be longed to men, should retire to the fudge box and pink teas. From every walk of life we hear this subject discussed pro and con. The returning soldiers must be taken care of and we are wondering what the answer will be to this ques tion, paramount in the minds of millions of people, not only in America, but in all parts of the world. rir(n,-.n,'c(i ,i;.f. ,,. .. :,i, i-1.. : ... I about the attitude of women in this new era as is proven by their pen and ink creations. Thomas, on the Detroit News, pictures a . maid in feminalls, cap and hammer, saying to the returning soK'Vr: "This is my job and I am gog to hang on to it." The title of his cartoon is "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Fontaine Fox takes a lighter and more humorous view of the situa tion." His picture depicts a deso late home but a hilariously happy woman out in the world of politics and big business. A Blasted Prediction. Let us back up a bit in our recol lections to the time when one of our famous orthopedic surgeons predicted a legless race, a few hun dred years hence, because of the laz iness which impregnated all classes since the entrance of automobiles, street cars and a dozen other means of transportation which renders "pedal-locomotion" unnecessary. Our lack of phisical exerefse he said, marked the beginning of a sad end when men would die untimely deaths from indigestion, high blood pressure and paralysis; our women, according to this surgeon, were scheduled to pass on, through lack or interest in life, otherwise known to us as ennui. ' But now we are convinced that this war is good for one more thing. It has driven the men to exercise and oty; women to work. It. has given the men something to think about other than the grabbing of the almighty dollar our women are relieved of the monotony of merely consuming. - And one needs but to talk with the Women who have been produc ing during these war times to learn that pretty clothes, nor ease, nor luxury, nor leisure suffices. There is scmething inborn, in most women, which spurs them on to become producers, once they have had a taste of it. How often, before the. war, we liei.rd, "Oh, she is only a woman," and many similar remarks which be spoke plainly the sentiment of the masses toward women. Now there are new words to the same sweet tune'and they tell a different story. Such men as C. W. Baron (in the Wall Street Journal), says that the r was won by women; that vic toiy would have been impossible but for their efforts; "that 5,000.000 women took the places,, of 6,000,000 men in England alone, which proves their efficiency. For Women Workers. Miss Agnes Nestor, prominent among the women's trades unions, believes that the taking care of women workers is as essential as caring for the returning fighters, but Miss Elizabeth Maloney, vice president of the International Ho tel 'i'rades alliances, says that she is convinced that it is the duty of every woman. who does not need the job she holds to relinquish it in favor of some woman, or returnrog soldier, who does need it. But, since we know that "the sur vival of the fittest" is the strongest law of nature, some of us sit back an. smile, awaiting the outcome. Why? Because we know that the wealthy business man does not re tire and leave his business to some younger man who may be just as efficient as he, and who needs he position. No, indeed! he goes to his office as long as he can walk and then, perhaps, he is taken to his revolving chair and roll-top desk by his attendants. He does not re tire and give the place to another so long as he can hold on to it. Here is our first point quite clearly demonstrated. Another point to be considered: Many women remember with what reluctance the wage earners dolei out the dimes and complained be cause some business woman was more prepossessing, wore better clothes and looked less careworn. It is one thing to be the "queen of the home" and aonth'er to be tre drudge, with no recompense and n5 praise. Toft many women have found that the "queen" is merely an illusion. Beautiful Sentiment, but (?). Mrs. Mary V. Halas. state super intendent of the women's section of the United States employment serv ice, one of those" closest in touch with the labor situation in Chicago offices, stores, mercantile establish ments, industries and like, sug- i gested a national movement among women workers in behalf of those who need employment "I would have every women whose .fortunes are such that she may not need ( the job she holds ask herself 4his question: 'Do I really need this job'," said Mrs. Halas.' "In Chicaeo alone there are many "women and girls who are holding excellent positions and, although thev do not need to work for their living, they do not intend to relin- Women Who Strive For Recognition In All Lines. G if 7 ? - 1 M if Eight women are included among the new county school superinten dents iiKNew Mexico. It is proposed to hold a world conference of working women ir the near future, probably in Paris. The total of women voters in the states having full, presidential or primary suffrage has now reached 1 1.010.064. Gertrude Elliott, the American actress, has made a notable success as manager of one of London's lead ing theaters. The Texas Federation of Wo men's Clubs has gone on record as opposed to the sale of German- j mads goods in the United States. I Lady Rhondda, who demands that ! women be given the light to sit in Parliament, is the activs head of Welsh coal mines and other indus tries employing upwards of 50,000 men. Miss Wilma Crowley of Ellens burg, Wash., walked 31 miles in less than seven hours on a wager with her brother, who bet that she couldn't do it. Charming Hostess Becomes War Workerf! And Wears Silver Bars sat TP She Can Never Again Be Indifferent to Human Suffering and Declares That Life Is Not Complete Without Both Society and Service G1 LEAMING silver bars decorate j their homes is for one woman defin- the motor corps uniform of a i itely answered. Mrs. McDeini.on, charming Omaha matron. I who has given herself unreservedly These insignia of rank, which mark to the great cause of humanity, is Mrs. T. H. McDearmon as a first i confident that she will never be sat- t lieutenant, mean far more than her "commission" in this feminine branch of the great war machine, for those who are cognizant with her work during the past months know that she has made "service" the watchword of her days. Always ready, night or day, sun shine or storm, Mrs. McDearmon holds the record for the most faith ful work in the Red Cro'ss motor corps. Her heart and soul has been in her task and she says that this service has given her a new angle on humanity and that she stands ready and willing to go night or day to h,elp those in need. One week just before the holiday time Mrs. McDearmon's record shows 20 hours and a quarter given to help others. Her large car has ever been at the service of the soldiers aside from her Red Cross driving, and she has left the theater many times to hurry to meet a troop train that the boys passing through might have a little pleasure. The question of ' whether war Workers who have done great things will ever be contented with only the domestic duties which await them in isfied to attend to home tasks alone, for she believes there is plenty of time for both. She is the most gracious of hostesses and enjoys the little gaieties of life, but the serious work which has claimed her hedit TV during this time for the poor of thi city who were afflicted with the diii niitn- r t t n ni in 9 ni a it it m ' condition ami tood ana meaicinc p must be brought to them daily. The j soup kitchens conducted by various J; organizations would not'havf tc complished their results '..ithout these messengers who distributed the edibles to the sufferers. The Visiting nurses, ministering angels for so long has left an imprint j during this period, found these cars which will never be eradicated. As there was no one who was near and dear who could bear the standard oMiis country into shell swept battlefields, Mrs. McDearinon felt it incumbent upon her to enter the front line at home and she his won the privilege of wearing two silver bars by dint of the most ardu ous labor. ' It is because of the days spent at the wheel of her car as she drove hither, and thither on er rands of mercy that Mrs.' McDear mon has resolved new. again to live entirely in the seclusion of Uer home. "Words are inadequate when one tries to estimate the amount of good done by the faithful workers who wear the uniform of the Red Cross motor corps. During the terrible epidemic of influenza which held the city in its grip for so many weeks the cars belonging to these skilifu' drivers were in constant demaii Mrs. McDearmon worked untiringly if 4 vWU Vim Ml IPs as an auto cZnie? m. 2f is id v 4 w i Pi i r.f and their obliging owners an inval uable aid in conducting them from" one part of the city to the other. With tin tlinnclif nf Haiiffpr tn br P self, Mrs. McDearmon gave her services unstintingly, as she has 1 done in other branches of the Red "j Cross work. The wounded men who find the long trips across-coun- 1 try so irksome have been given a breath of fresh air and refreshing ' glimpse ; of the great outdoor it through the kindness of Mrs. Mc- t Dearmon and the call of the boys in khaki has always found a ready , response from this patriotic womati. - The funds of the great orRanixa- J tion of mercy, the Red Cros.s must be maintained and through the ef forts of the -motor corps many dol lars have been added to the treas ury which keeps this great move ment progressing. The work ha often been tedious and trying. -tM calls have come when other eir sraeements were pressing, but Mrs McDearmon sacrificed all pleasures i ror the work to which she had ded- p icated herself. M Never can this first lieutenant i j the motor corps be indifferent to suffering, and though the war is won and peace sheds its golden light over the world, the unfortu nate are always to be found. Mrs. McDearmon will continue her la bors, which are lightened by love,, for she brings cheer and gladn'r into lives darkened by'suffering sorrow. - It TVio Comn T.ihmrv V AUV VU J J l 'j r a tio Inncriiil.fnr Hrinlcimr nlarr. TVii snrinp in burnliuz sands, i ; Where men fling down on fevereV face And scoop with avid own on leverec $ vid hands. I )iise. tie Ljjutlwf They Came They Are Here But Where Will They GoThese Women? 1? Photos by He Lutxizte - Where, oh, where are the clinging-vine women who led lives of idleness and whose grandness grew greater with each new malady? Where are the women whose conversations were monopolized by petty details of household management and who made social calls for the purpose of relating the perils of their latest surgical operations? Where are.the baby stares that bespoke blank minds and little understanding when current topics or modern problems were being discussed? From what rank and file have all these competent, healthy, splendid women emerged and what will become of them during these days of reconstruction ? Now that the war is over, where will they go from their daily lives of service to humanity, so thoroughly enjoyed during the swinging of the social and economic pendulum during these days of struggle ? From every corner of the earth the "mere women" have come forward under the yoke of patriotism. And under this yoke they have learned much. They know tjie glory of work and the greatness of being in the big fight ftir progress. Now that the soldiers are returning, will the wage earners be will ing to give up this life of production, economic independence and world service? Public sentiment will do much to settle the question and The Bee wishes to hear from everyone who has an opinion on the subject. From time to time space will be given in these columns for a battle ground of public opinion and both men and women should give so serious a problem great thought. f f ... " 8 f ' s 1 Ut-is the treasure-house, JejajpS' Keveaiea io catccr eyev And clever brains quick to desigij New keys to Paradise. It is salvation! Men at large,; To us the camn-man looks. Reward him then; your debt charge urn his longed-tor DOOK! Amy Sherman BridgmaJi J - - , L Ae Socte Jim 111 V I V 4 u 3DC
