The Washington times., 1895-03-24


an investigation by seeing, personally. the
wives OF our prominent business men and
their opinions are here given for the
benefit OF the reader, who may draw his
or her own conclusions:
The first seen was Mrs. s. W Wood
ward, wife Of one OF the members Of the
great firm Of Woodward & Lothrop. at her
beautiful home out in the hiny suburbs. Mr.
Woodward's house is in a pretty lot, where
a big lawn reminds one of the real country,
while just below is the whole city spread
from the hills to the banks Of the gIisten-
ing Potomac. The house is a picture
OF elegance in its interior furnishings, which
are selected with exquisite taste and an
eye to genuine comfort. Mrs. Woodward
is a slender lady with gentle manners and
is the happy mother of a home full OF
young children. When questioned on her
views as 10 dress reform, she replied:
4 might. perhaps. be classed as a re-
former, for I do not cling to the con-
ventional style OF costumes, as most ladies
do. La fact. have my gowns made
loosely and never wear heavy skirts, ex-
cept when ] am out driving Tie best
underclothing for woman is that which
is light and keeps her warm, while it does
not become a weight on her strength. SO
that the union suits, think. are the best.
Il hardly think that the reform VIII ever
become general to the extent that the
corset VIII absolutely be discarded, but
do believe that an Improvement viii take
place that will be OF great benefit 10 women
in iightenlsS the weight OF their clothing
and making it more comfortable. My
own dresses / have fashioned in com
Portable way ana / think a woman can
dress neatly, becomingly and in good taste
and yet, in a measure, be follower Of
her own ideas il dress
Mrs Edwin Harris, wife of the we'll
known jeweleT OF the firm OF that name,
was seen at her home on H street She
lis a pleasant lady OF middle age, but Is
not a believer in the new movement.
Il know so very little about this thing,
except what / read IN the papers, that my
opiuion IS scarcely formed, but l must con-
Tess that I am very Wen satisfied with the
styles as they are and ara opposed 10 any
change / co not think that trains should
not think that the style OF dress. as row
worn. viii ever become obsolete or that the
reform VIII be generally popular. 1t is
merely q Passing lad that VIII have
its day and then die"
Mrs. p. II. Warner, wife Oft the gentleman
who has made such an impression q TIE real
estate market in town, is q young woman
OF fine appea rance and decided views.
AZ
one Of which any one might be proud, for
IL is gem IN its cosy comfort. But Mrs.
Warner Goes not approve OF reform.
Il do not ihiIi theTe is any reason for
such "a move IN nj" she said, and there
are verv many objections o such q ii ng,
one OF the fiI-t berg that the staie OF dress
al present is very pretty and the new iCea
would C, stECy tie lnGiT.c .cuality that makes
dress interesting If one has cloth ng
made comfortably, as can easily be done.
there is CCr,ti.t.Iy TO cause Of complaint and
all the talk about Greek costumes would
never axe where the gowns are SO becoming
as those Cf the nineteenth century.
'.Far this reason / believe that this move
ment VIII never become general. but WI he
confined to only a few. for the vast
majority or women are great advocates
OF the hcagty ara grace that cur clothes
Of to-day cypress Personally, L am Op-
posed TO this dress reform aud viii certainly
continue tD wear fashionable gowns hiCh
/ believe 10 be pretty and healthfgl. And
] am sure that most all other women are
OF q similar mind"
Mrs. John J Edison has a home on Six
tegnth street and wien the visitor called,
was busy with her flowers in tn eCanserva-
tory that opens out OF her dining room.
Mrs. Edison rs q lady with fine handsome
figure and takes great interest n the Ques-
tions OF the day. especially those relating TO
dress, for she rs an earnest advocate o ( i'm
proveuIput IN al things ia life.
y certainly do approve OF anything that
is calculated te beneri a woman. either
mentally or physically. and think that the
reform dress. while il may not be adopted
generally yet for a long while. VIII ulti-
mately become universal and viii be q great
good 10 women, she explained.
There is no question but that 10 discard
corsets woald help women 10y giving them
more freedom Of movement. but such a thing
must come by degrees, for most people are
afraid TO venture on new ideas for fear of
TidiCle Bat this present agitation OF the
question Will be great help, and in the
course OF time n woman's clothing VIII
be so much improved upon that she VII no
more feel its restraints. / believe in the
progress Of woman. in her Development Of
al her spheres and in gaining OF new and
and more useful being"
Mrs. james Lanshurg was seen al her
home oa street bat she is abogt 70 move
10 her new one ont on the F0urteenth h-stueet
ROAD ia few GAYS. The LansBlrg house
is q large o!d-fashiOned one aim Jst ad5oin-
ing the Papal legation. and is in q quiet
but pleasant part Of the city. Mrs. La1s-
buT- is q y0UrE woman OF the brunette type.
When asked Ter views, she said that she
had never thought much upon the subject.
Il ara perfectly well satisfied with The
style Oi dress now in vogue, and have 40
desire FOR p change, for / think that corset,
IL worn not too tight, IS more OF q bcneft
than an Inconvenience. j Go not approve
OF wOmau'S suffrage, and / think that the
ma 0rityofwomeE, being wiTes and mothers,
have as much as they can do at home
without veutgrng into a mans field TO
supplant him in h.s laboTs. The corset L
do not believe, willever b. done away with"
Mrs. A. NJ. Lothrop, wife OF one OF the
members OF Woodward & lothrop. has a
beautiful home on X street Just opposite TO
Franklin Park She is a very handsome
woman, with dark hair and a rich color in
her checks and dresses in excellent taste.
In speaking on this subject she said that it
was one on which she was not very well in
formed, not having paid much attention TO
the topic.
1T rs true that the Grecian costume is a
very pretty oRc,'' she added. '-but / doubt
If il would prove at all appropriate for a
street gown. Nei"her DO ! think that any
style other than that decreed by fashion is
ever likely to become popular. II this new
were taken up by some one who
sells the fashions il woald instantly become
the rage and every woman would follow 5ut
unless il is introduced this way il VIII never
become general In the world.
woman is very loath 10 set out on style
NJ lpF gu-u I.uf Sha i Willing IN follnrr-