The San Francisco call., 1904-06-20
Topics Of General
Public Concern
Discussed.
BY LAURA BRIDE POWERS.

In Berlin, comes the aclloH VI IHo
Reichstag, in expunging from the law
providing for mercantile arbitration
tribunals the clause that would give
to the German woman the right to the
ballot. Now, the widest proselyte
never dreamed for a minute that
the thoroughly respectable Relcnstag
would grant suffrage to German
women. But down deep in their hearts
there is much rejoicing over Wnal is
really great Victory-that the issue
was of such import as to command
the attention of the righteous Relch-
stag. OF course, it was due TO the
Socialists that the measure was so
eXcellently exploited.
Now that the wedge is in the Ger
man political plank, who knows what
the next quinquennial will bring torth !;
1t is said that much fun was poked
at Count Won Bulow, the Imperial
Chancellor, and at Count PosadoWsk-
Wehner. Minister of the Interior, Doth
of whom voted against the Suffrage
measure as became such high-cdste
dignitaries, but whose wives were val
liant supporters of the leaders OF the
American" movement Who knows
but the poor women hath need of
the ballot or some legitimate weapon!
In connection with the reported an
tipathy of the Empress 10 the civic ac-
tivity of women, the announcement
loses much weight from the fact she
rendered the visiting delegates recep-
tiOn, and expressed herself well pleased
with the action of Berlin in voting to
entertain the visitors with a farewell
banquet.
At the imperial reception, the Amer
lean women, as usual, were engulfed
with honors and attentions. Distinct
ly. VIC should feel grumpy had Berlin
not manifested such excellent discrim-
nation. Didn't San Francisco send on
Mrs. John f. Swift? Now, where
could a handsomer or cleverer
woman be found than the widow of
the former Minister to Japan? As
suredly, the Berliners are clever peo-
pie Perhaps we can return the COM
pliment some day, when the fraus and
the frauleins may foregather in our
burg.
The Board of Health has notified the
Chief of Police that he must make
other provision for the girls and boys
being held for the Juvenile Court than
in the basement of the Central Emer-
gency Hospital. At no time was the
sunless basement a fit place to house
the little waits of the citys streets,
but being the only available place Of
fered, ii was gladly accepted.
But now the tale is different There
is money in prospect now $4,000 obtain
ed by the grace of the Supervisors,
which was earnestly prayed for by the
good men and women who constitute
the Juvenile Court Committee, DIR.
Dorothea Moore, chairman.
Now can a decent lodging be given
the littel tykes. a bath and a clean,
wholesome bed-the very first elements
that conduce to reform. And for this one
humane thing let some of the super
visorial sins be forgotten.
Among the societies supporting the
institution backing the Juvenile Court
law are the California Club, the Asso-
ciated Charities, the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children. the
Youths Directory. the Boys and Girls
Aid Society and the Church Home for
Boys. BY a self-imposed tax, these
humanitarian bodies are paying the
salaries of the two probation officers,
Miss Londa Stebbins and her assistant,
Mr.. Hutton. What the interest will be
in the years to come, when the little
wanderers will have been disciplined
and trained into good citizenship, is
pleasant prospective. But it will come
the old law of cause and effect work
ing out its truth.
Though in summer session, the Cali
fornia Club is doing things through it's
civic section. In previous years, the
redoubtable small boy has been permit
ted to blow off thumb on the Fourth
of July or some one else's thumb at
Will, and no one said him nay. But
on the statute books stands a law.
rather stiff in the joints for lack of
1,st
cartridges to minors. Now, the club
women are desirous of bringing forth
the old law, by it's PRONUNCIATION to
save the emergency hospital it's usual
busy day on the Fourth.
The Sacramento Woman's Council.
department of moral reform. is making
an investigation of the penny arcades
in the capital bringing to light diver
slty or opinions as to the legitimacy of
some of the pictures shown therein.
But, of course, that is difficult matter
to decide. What might suggest immor-
atty to one, might be an exalted ex-
preston of art to another. And there
you are!
Oakland has made an arrest for vio-
lation of the compulsory education law
and has secured conviction. The case
was liitu DtlOfe HOilCe Judge SdmuelS,
and the father of the truant lad was
found guilty of misdemeanor. Now the
course of the case will be interesting,
as it is in reality test of the new law
In defense Of himself the father claimed
that he was ill., and the little lad-un-
der ID years to come under the law
was forced to become a breadwinner
for himself and his eight brothers and
sisters The Judge apparently was un-
11Nn rn1 hNvk H. -. Lit
and his decision is upheld-morally-b
every friend of wronged childhood. No
doubt in due time there will be more
babes for the little fellow to feed from
his withered little hand. Is this not a
crime-this flooding the world with
babes that must seek the food they
eat?
Burnett's Extract of Vanilla pre-
pared from selected Vanilla Beans.