Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-26
CITY H0USEKEEPERS.
lineas-Even the Children
Have obligations.

When sanitary conditions are receiving
such keen attention. due in large part just
now because of Spain's age-long violation
of sanitary laws. the work of American
women tor American health takes on added
interest.
Mrs. James %Scrimgeour. president of the
Woman's Health Protective Association. OF
Brooklyn, n. V. the leader in womani
organized movement in city sanitation, the
". II. z. A.. OF Brooklyn. n. Y. in the
G-entlewoman. makes the following interest,"
ing statements:
set ourselves to study the laws
which govern our municipality; We take up
the household laws first. There are certain
municipal laws which directly affect the
household. For Instance, there Is a law
which requires that We shall put all on. ref
use and garbag. in strong tin or zinc cans
having hardles 10 them. but this law IS
more honored, seemingly. In the breach
than in the observance. Consequently. We
sre refuse .ittering the streets of our cit
les. so!Ied papers flying about. banana skins
thrown upon the s%tTeets, and garbage set
out upon the s.dcwa ks In any sort OF recep-
tacies. sometimes merely gathered loosely
together in ~ wspap per and left upon the
street for dogs and cats 10 scatter about.
While 1t is proper for women TO be
most interested in their own homes, We
believe hey should also cultivate a proper
interest In their city. welfare.
We further believe that our children
shOCiC lie taught ;nat the outside Is just
an extension OF the home life. and that
they. too, have an important part to per-
form In the proper maintenance of both.
We have societies Tor this purpose. and l
am happ% TO sIy mat the clii.:ren are
greatly Interested in the work. and are
eager 10 become good citizens when We
explain 10 them what this means in its
fullest sense.
Our hope lies III the children in training
them TO habits OF cleanliness and considera-
ton for the rights and property OF others.
We teach the children IN our societies that
trcSpassiEs means going into other people,
YARDS without permission. pulling plants
or picking lowers without leave. breaking
hedges, running across balconies and up
and down stoops, injurins fences and va
cant houses ard all the various forms OF
petty vandalism which are 80 common.
w aim 10 teach each hid that he Is
under an obligation t. the city which mas
given him 4 free education. provided even
the books and pencils w.l.ch he uses all the
years he is in school, and keeps up at
great expense The beautiful parks in which
he may go 20 play and rest: protects mis-
home by maintaining a tire department
which comes 10 iis help il his home IL n
danger. and further looks after his safety
by policing the streets SO that evil-minded
persons nay not modest him nor commi:
wrongs against his property.
"The cleanliness OF u city IN simply mu.
nic!pal housekeeping: therefore. this so.
ciety believes that IL women were In certain
official places in the city. particularly upOr
school boards and upon the health board
and In certain departments pertaining 4
the inspection OF the eity's business, espe
ctal1y in the street-cleaning department
they would do admirable work becaus,
they are more naturally given to know III,
details which make work perfect than ar,
men," d