The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-06-08
TIMELY TOPICS And THEIR LITERATURE.
Copyright, 1904, BY Frank w. Hutchins.)
copyright, 1902, BY Frank W. iiutchins.l

WlJMhN lN HE bOSiNESo WoRID.
With very few exceptions women are
now engaged in all the groups of voca-
tions known 10 the census. In fact, every
little while they get up new vocation
Of their own.
Woman is in the working world, and she
is there to stay; but whether or not she
ought to be there is question that sprang
up with her first move in that direction,
has followed her every step since, and to-
day seems as far from settlement as ever.
The discussion Of this question is chiefly
along three lines--the effect upon the
home, the effect upon the labor market, and
the effect upon woman herself.
As to the home, the claim is that that
sacred institution is seriously endangered
by this industrial movement among women.
Girls do not receive the old home train
ing, do not so readily enter into marriage,
and If they 90 on with their work after
marriage, home and family interests are
sacrificed. Some of the opponents OF the
movement go so far as to say that its sue
cess means the slow but sure decay of
the family hreside.
On the other hand. 1t is contended that
home has gained by what woman has
gained in her work in other fields. That
home does not start quite as easily as-it
used to is granted. But the economic in
dependence OF young women, which en-
abies them TO weigh well before saying
the word that makes fircsides, nsures truer
and better homes when they are started.
During the times that home relations
~. Il. 4 IL
troublesome question usually settles itself.
Either the mother is not then in the work
a-day world, or else she has TO be. and
the matter has passed beyond the realm of
discussion.
Regarding the effect of woman's work
upon the labor market, the arguments are
usually much the same as those concern
ing labor-saving machinery and cheap
Chinese labor. 1t is urged that women are
forcing wages down in almost all branches
OF industry and often crowding men our
OF employment, 20 the infinite injury of
all concerned. 1t is answered that wo-
men, are simply adding 10 the economic
energy of the nation that their work
makes possible the opening OF new avenues
OF industry available for men crowded out
OF the old and that by becoming scli-sup-
porting they are pecuniarily aiding men
more than they can be injuring them
through any wage reduction.
rs to the effect OF this new labor move
ment upon woman herself, it is impossible
10 generalize, as SO much depends upon
nature oil occupation and working condi-
tions. Certainly the movement has carried
woman into some fields OF work that
have strengthened and developed her But
it has brought her into many others that
seem wholly Inappropriate and necessarily
injurious to her both physically and moral
ly. An encouraging fact is that some in
no haar l. es.t.-
the entrance OF female workers, and their
conditions made more favorable Tor wo-
man. This is a tendency that doubtless
will become more marked as woman in
fucnce in economics increases
he following reading list refers first
to discussion Of the general subject, and
then to helpful books for women workers
l. Real Emancipation of Woman Viii
liam NJ. Salter. Atlantic, 50 as, January
1902.
= Woman and Her Sphere Duchess Of
Sutherland North American Review
I74:63s, May 1902.
), Employments Unsuitable Tor Women
H. ]. Finch Independent 50 1884, Apri
II, 1901,
q Women Ought TO Work. Ida II
Harper. Independent, s3iI25, May 10
1901,
5, Women and Work in England
Helen Bosanquet international Monthly
ID january 1909,
8, Women and Economies. Chariot,
7. Stetson. Small, Maynard & Co., Bos
?. How Women May Earn a Living
Helen {. Candee. Macmillan company
New York
8. The Business Girl in Every Phase o
slicr Life. Ruth Ashmore Curtis Pub
fishing company, Philadelphia,
Q. Money Making Occupations for Wo
men. K r. Kilbourn. Neale Publishin,
company, Washington.
10. Women in the Business World
Arena Publishing company, Boston.
II. American Women in Husbandry
Mrs, Wilson Woodrow Munsey's
6:6s6, February, 1902.
Only parts OF Nos. and deal directl,
with womans work. But both article
arc especially useful as showing the re
iation Of this work to other phases OF tn
woman movement
No. ) is an attack along the whole lin
OF female industrialism. The writer draw
the picture OF womanhood with an almos
Oriental touch, dwelling upon seclusiol
suggestive of yelled faces, drawn hang
ings, and the heavy perfumes of the East
he insists that almost all fields of EN-
Payment unsex women, take IRON then
their womanly charm, and injure thei
physically and morally. An answer t
this is found in No. 4, which advocate
tnc WiucSt ncid Tor WoinanS work. III
position is taken that women should wor
whether they have to do so or not; tina
they do not in the end curtail the or
portunities OF others; that they do no
necessarily become less feminine and tina
they do develop as they should the talent
that have been given them Each of thes
articles is quite conclusive argument 70
its own class OF readers.
No. is III many ways the most remark
able book upon this subject Its ecc
nomic views are not unassailable, ard man
of its conclusions are faulty But il
work not &c be overlooked by any on
seeking to determine whether the "ind,
pendent being" theory or the "clingin
vine" doctrine is the proper one in regar
TO woman.
Nos. 2, 9 and 10 are books of practic;
helpfulness for women workers. The
are all much the same in manner of trea
nient, each having an opening chapter
general information and advice, the r,
mainder of the book being devoted to pal
ticular occupations, These occupation
are OF all kinds from architecture to keeI
ing hoarders,. and from nursing the sic
To treading the stage.
The little book. No, 8, differs from thos
Just referred to in giving less of inform,
ton as to special pursuits, and more
advice as to the business life II Quit
carries out its title, as il covers the a
fairs of the business girl from her salar
10 her tooth brush.
u.