The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-17

fla foreigner asked an American to name
his countTy's proudest boast, that American
would be almost sure to answer, without
moments hesitation, "Our freedom"
Every man or woman, who escapes the
very lenient arm of the law may act, dress
and think just as he or she plesses.
AS for any foreign power attempting an
Invasion Of the country, the idea is too
ridiculous to be entertained. except as a
joke.
Ladies, you know that these facts are
true; that the United States are few and
impregnabIe, and yet nearly every woman
in this country is preparing TO tremble be-
fore a wretcbed little enemy that few for
eign dresSmakers have raised up for their
own personal interest.
is crinoline eoming?" every man In this
city Is asking. And the girls hang their
heads and muTmur meekly, III 1t does, we
cannot help wearing it."
Naturally the men grow perplexed and
ask. rs this all that higher education has
done for women? Have they still no indi-
vidual Opinions?"
The cTinoline question is source Of unmi-
tigated JOY and triumph to those men who
sympathize with the Turks or other ORR
entail nations regarding the social position
of women.
''The sex was made to be in subsection,
they observe eomplacently. women have
shaken of our yoke now. but look how sub
misslvely they bend to the next despot that
comes along"
Shall these statements be made unchal-
lenged. while We are too much engaged in
looking Eastward for the crinoline to notice
them?
There is only one thing to be done. and
that is to band together In an anti-erinollne
league.
Ten or even a hundred women as indi-
Yiduals could do little to stem the tide of
fashion. but If We unite together we can
surely prove ourvelVes to be stronger than
handful Of self-interested New York and
London modistes, who want to force their
customers into more extensive purchases.
Il is said that from business standpoint
feminine enterprises often fail, because of
the small amount Of cooperation that wo-
men seem capable Of showing.
Let Us remember In the crinoline matter
that unity is strength"
II we combine together we can certainly
fight our common enemy.
1t is the simplest thing in the world just
to Gil up and forward to THE CALL Office
one Of the annexed coupons. II every one
who object to the ugly hoped skirt would
do this, we, of the Anti Crinoline League,
would be in the majority and could afford
to laugh at hoops.
The largest numbers Is made up Of units
and for that reason [ urge and beg every
individual girl and woman, who is interested
in the matter. by no means to neglect send
ing her coupon.
As rule when people preach crusade
against any particular article Of dress, they
are actuated by the puTest and nobest
motives Of philanthropy.
Alasl truth compsIs me TO confess that q
touch of selfshness is mingled with my
anxiety to see the league founded.
1t would require the imagination of a
Dante fully to realize what the fortunes q
woman reporters existence would be in
eased in hoops.
She would take up more than her share
Of room in the Office. and would hustle and
jostle people on the stairs aud in the ele-
vators.
The editor would be very wary about
letting her loose in his sanctum, for she
wound certainly overturn the waste-paper
basket and probably the chairs. Even If a
eonfiagration were avoided. by heroic efforts
on the part OF the editorial staff, there Is no
knowing bow many priceless manuscripts
the woman reporters crinoline would sweep
away.
II Is necessary for reporter to get rapid
iy from one part Of the city to another. She
is constantly in cars and elevators, and has
foF naIr hnr Of hn hu net inc NH
the busiest part of the city.
In a crinoline she would always be late /:
It would be practically impossible for her to
make her way through a crowd. As for
travelling by the cars. they would probably
be already Inflated by crinolnes and have
no standing room left for another.
With these difficulties to contend against,
the woman reporter would generally bring
In her copy after the paper had gone to
press, and would soon give up the struggle
to maintain position for which her crino-
line rendered her totally untitled.
These are few Of the miseries that would
beset one class of business women. Almost
each one Of the others could draw an
equally dismal picture Of the manner in
which crlnoline would handicap her In the
race of life.
mOSb VI tue Eitlo dUu WOmeH WHO are Try
Ing to do something out In the world to-day
were In their infancy OF had not come into
existence at the last crinoline epoch Girls
did no; go much into business in those days,
they never thought Of storming the uni
yersIties and the law courts, and conse-
quently their crnoline craze did Dot affect
their prospects In lie.
To-day 1t is different We are still. to a
certain extent, on probation in business and
professional life. Weighted by the crIno-
line there is danger than We may sink out
of sight altogether.
To Judge from prints the crinoline fashion
was about the most ungraceful one ever
devised. But then 1t behooves US all to
guard against being aIlured by 1t when it
comes. for in the matter of fashions The
sbsent are always in the wrong" is re-
markaDly true proverb.
When any particular fashion Is win u.s.
wa excIaIm, "How charmingF, ana nve
Years afterward when we look upon It's