Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-03-09
Misdirected Efforts.

The action of Mrs. Rebecca d. Lowe.
president of the Federation of Women s
clubs, in sending out an address urging
concerted action on the part of the
women in regard to the employment of
members of the gentle sex in a vocations
which in the past have been occupied
by men, may have some effect with cor
porations and business men generally.
but the question arises, Is it a move in
the right direction?
1t is a well known fact that for the
past 20 years it has become more diff
cult day after day for men, the natural
supporters of families, to secure employ
ment, and that in the lighter work, as
forinstance office and indoor employment
generally, wages have fallen very mater
tally: to a point where a man who has
anyone dependent upon him a hardly
meet the necessary expenses of life, to
say nothing of indulging in a tritling
luxury or taking a vacation once a year.
This state of affairs has been traced d.
rectly to the employment of women in
positions which, under IL sensible man
ner of living, would be filed by men ata
much higher rate of wages. 1t is a very
pretty sentiment which declares that
women ought to be independent, ought
to support themselves, ought to look
above the duties required by wife
hood and motherhood, but when it is
put into practice it brings poverty,
trouble and often suicide.
But the plea is made that many
women are compelled to 60 out into the
world to seek employment that they
may live. That is true in some cases.
but these cases are few and far between.
when compared to the positions filled by
girls who have homes, but who are not
satisfied with the clothing and advant-
ages given them by their parents, and
seek employment for the sole purpose of
enabling themselves to appear smart in
rich garments, and to be able to spend
money on trifles which are really OF
more harm than benefit. Such cases
are entirely too numerous for the good
of the commonwealth. Could u line be
drawn by employers. and only those
women who are compelled by stress of
circumstances to support themselves be
given positions, or were it possible for
them to demand and receive the same
pay that men in the same positions
would receive, there would be no reason
for complaint, but such is not possible,
and the heads of families are compelled
to suffer by reason of an unfair and un-
just competition in the labor market.
Mrs. Lowe condemns the action OF
one of the large railroad systems for
discharging all women heretofore en-
by it and replacing them with
men. Theirs is nothing in such action
to call for condemnation. On the other
hand, the corporation which grasps its
duty to mankind sufficiently to give
preference to men when filling positions
of trust, or otherwise, is to be commend
ed, and is entitled to the support Of
every person in the land. Should all
corporations, companies and individuals
who require the services of hired help
adopt the same system, a long step would
be taken in solving many of the social
questions which today perplex the wisest
of the statesmen.
The emancipation of women, as the
strong minded female agitators are
pleased to call the employment of wom-
en- in places which by rights should be
filed by men, is a beautiful theory, but it
is filling the world with idle young men,
tramps and criminals. The world, or
at least that part which is inhabited by
civilized nations. nc longer questions
the mental equality of women, no longer
treats them as slaves, and accOrdS to
them every privilege, worships them AZ
better beings than men, and in all that
sensible, Is that not enough? Must