Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-23
ORGANIZATION eOR WOMeN.

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oRcANlzATI ON FOR WOMEN
The problem Of organization is one
which has agitated women who work
ever since the sex has been regarded as
factor In industrial competition. and
1t Is apparent. from the almost daily dis
cussions Of the subject. that 1t is no
nearer solution than it was at its incep-
ton. The relative sides Of the contro-
vorsy, whether organization assists in
the amelioration Of the sex from the evil
effects Of prejudice. have many cham
pions who argue the question Of princi-
pie with much wisdom and enthusiasm.
To casual observer, or even one who il
interested in the outcome Of the agita-
ton without taxing part in 1t, the
affirmative side Of the proposition would
seem to be the most logical and popular.
and there are many evidences to sub
stantiate this view.
II is scarcely ten years since organiza-
ton was tried by industrial women. and
an observer epitomizes the result in
these words: Organization has In the
first place compelled the recognition of
female workers as competitors by the
males, who previously usurped the fields
into which women have since ventured
and succeeded; organization has demon
strated the capabilities Of woman more
than individual merit could have ever
done; it has rendered women independ-
ent Of the influences Of men in the ad-
justment Of labor and social difficulties
and in the matter Of compensation"
Taking this view Of the matter, which,
it may be explained, is advanced by q
Wisconsin lsdy who is much interested
in tae subject, it would seem that or
ganization has not only done much to
promote the advancement Of women,
but has in addition opened up broad
field for discussion as to the claims of
women for recognition In other than an
industrial sense. Our correspondent
argues that 80 woman who, in the face
of the strong opposition Of men engaged
in similar industrial pursuits, succeeds
in elevating herself by her own efforts
to an equal plane with them, is certain
ly entitled to consideration as factor
in both the social and official spheres of
life"
The argument is so logical and patent
to the student Of the social and indus
trial status of women that it needs no
comment. The assumption, however,
that men oppose the progress of women
and in any way seek to retard their ad
vancement and restrict their capacity
as competitors is ungenerous and, in a
large measure, will do much to inspire
prejudice in men against women. The
facts all tend the other way.
Men are not only not opposed to wom-
en- rs fellow workers, but would, II en-
couraged, do more to assist women in
their struggle for supremacy than any
other influence could possibly do. The
developments of the agitation In the
past few years have shown this. Work
ing women have appealed to the national
congress and to the Legislative bodies Of
several states for recognition and have
obtained it, purely through the assist
snce of men who realized the justice Of
the demands. Without the assistance
Of these men the recognition could never
have been secured.
Further tnan this, women have found,
when seeking to obtain the questionable
benefits of organization achieved by
men, that they had only to be sincere to
secure the same. II men are once salts
fed that female workers are sincere in
their efforts to secure Independence. and
are willing to render all social PROPOSE
tons subservient to the purpose. women
will have no cause for accrediting an
tipathy to nen, but on the other hand
will precipitate the millennium Of their
ambitions much sooner than by working
alone.
The natural conclusion to be deducted
from these conditions il, That women
shall combine their own las yet disor-
gained and incompletc) interests with
those Of men. Organization under such
circumstances will obtain for q woman
what she wants. Men are to be made
friends, not enemies. To obtain recog-
milton from thsir admirably organized
systems Of Industrial pursuits is a.
much of triumph for working women
as they will ever secure. This can Be
done by working with them, not az ainst
them.--A Club Woman in Jenness Mil
Ier illustrated.