Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-08-31
A I" Word in Time.

The following arslcle appeared IN
the last issue of the Tacoma Herald,
under the caption of "Tacoma's In
hospitality" and it may not therefore
be any great breach OF propriety to re-
produce it, simply to bring about 9
change which we think will be made
on suggestion, and is surely due to in
advertance, rather than design:
\ former resident of Tacoma, a wo-
man OF social position, related to the
writer this week an occurrence which
only emphasizes a too deplorable TACT.
AS she was travelling several thousand
miles away from here, she overheard the
word Tacoma, which Immediately at
tracted her interest. Two women were
talking: Well" said one, Il lived in
Tacoma for one year, and in that whole
time | received not one call, did not
become acquainted with even my neigh
bors. II is the most inhospitable town |
ever heard Of Repeating this to re-
cent arrival here, the answer was that it
was too true. Il never was as coldly
treated any where" said she. Z" If it
had not been for Mrs. - | don't know
what ! would have DONE" The writer
tried to excuse the home city thus
when we all came here together in the
boom days, we had to get acquainted all
at once with everybody. Then came the
panic and the hard times and took all
the life out of us. We had no desire
for social exchange of courtesy, nor for
making new acquaintance. 1t was not
so much selfishness as encouragement"
But, candidly now that Tacoma has
$50 to one that it had in 80, there is a
species of provincialism in its treatment
OF strangers that ought to be eradicated
by those OF large views and wider knowl-
edge of the world gained by travel and
residence in cities.
The writer had the pleasure OF being
with the Editorial Association, at its
late meeting in Tacoma, and so far as
the men of that organization were
concerned, can testify to. a whole.
souled hospitality as enjoyable as it
seemed to be a pleasure to bestow.
Nothing was wanting for making
everybody feel that he was the city's
welcome guest. The local editorial
fraternity, the Chamber OF Commerce,
and the citizens generally, We'd with
each other in making the brief sojourn
with them pleasant.
But truth impels US to state that
the ladies OF the party did not seem to
be as we'll pleased. A social function
arranged for them in the parlors of
the Tacoma Hotel, consisting Of must
cal numbers and refreshments, was
said by them to have been excellent in
quality, but cold and formal, from a
social point of view; that there did
not appear to be any disposition to
make the visitors appear cat home"
Now we feel quite sure that the wo-
mems charge OF stuck up" was not as
appropriate. in this instance, as is that
other word "cute" in expressing con.
ditions. 1t was simply, we think,
want OF tact, to break through the
gloss Of formality that envelopes so
many people in their social inter.
course. Had there been some one on
either side to have broken over con.
ventionalities enough to have placed
entertainers and guests at their ease,
there would have been the same re.
port made by the better part of the
association. It often happens that a
trifling circumstance breaks the ice OF
formality in such assemblsges. and
leads to true communion OF soul.
A story goes of little girl entering
room where everybody was bored by
this sometimes prevalent form of self.
consciousness, and after fidgeting about
little while iu the frigid atmosphere,
the little miss suggested in sheer des-
peration, "Well, let US all play mouse,
and 60 home" The absurdity of the
idea was the timely tap that broke the
ice OF reserve, and after . jolly laugh
the assemblage became . happy group
of congenial spirits, whose reserve
vanished at the tactful inspiration of a
child. There is no reason why the
women of Tacoma, under the direction
OF her many talented leaders, should
not be IS noted for hospitality as the
men, or the ladies of other cities OF
our State.
Let us hope that the Herald may
have occasion to revise, or reverse, its
opinion, ere many moons wane.