The Washington herald., 1907-09-30
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE "

An officer Of the state board OF nealtn
I'm a Southern state believes in the in
nuence Of good food on the morals. as
well as the health. Ninety per cent Of
the crimes In the United states he de-
ciares. ARE due to bad cooking" Per
baps. he IS right, and the road 10 reform
may lie along the lines Of cooking
schools. At all events. II would be
worth while to try the experiment Of in
PRODUCING simple cooking into the public
school system.
There is no doubt Of the need OF a prac-
teal education for the daughters Of the
working class. Their need Is greater
than that Of their wealthier neighbors.
and few Of them are as well equipped
in the home-making line. Plain cooking
and plain sewing are the standbys Of
family life. and there are thousands Of
matrons who know next 10 nothing OF
both. There are no opportunities TO learn
them without expense.
7 have had some experience in tene-
ment work, having devoted two days OF
each week for three years in practical
work among the ignorant and helpless
families. I know that money does not
do half its work OF supplying comfort
10 families where the feminine members
are ignorant Of the two important
branches. cooking and sewing Side by
side I have seen two families deal with
the problem of living, the one success
fully and the other with disastrous re-
suits, and the earning capacity was
pretty evenly balanced.
Four boys were reared, educated in the
public schools. and had their talents de-
velOped by a father who depended upon
the revenue from a tiny barber shop and
a mother who knew how to spend a dol
lar TO get its full value. The home was
simple, comfortable, pretty, and thor
oughly neat, and the children were we'll
nourished and well-ciad The mother
knew how TO cook plain food and buy the
materials, which was quite as much to
the point. She could sew as well as she
cooked. and she found life pleasant with
out a large income. The boys have
reached the earning age. and the family
income Is larger, but the living no mere
pretentious.
The other family consisted OF two boys
and a girl. five instead of six to clothe
and feed. and the man had regular wages
to depend upon The housekeeping was
Of the shiftless order, extravagant one
day and pinching the next, and clothing
was purchased without regard to wear
ing quality, Even necessary repairs were
omitted. and that was an objectionable
waste When the boys tired OF school
they were allowed TO go to work and
spend their money as they pleased. The
daughter was brought Up to despise
housework and escape every possible
task
From beginning to end the home bore
the stamp of poverty. Discomfort divided
sway with untidiness. and comfort was
impossible. of course. It was the typical
home of neglect and ignorance, and
what can you expect from such sur
roundings? Young men steal to provide
luxuries when they have, perhaps. never
known ordinary comfort at home In
deed. I fancy comfort would have salts
fed them ali their lives had they been
brought up to it,
I believe that self-respect is inspired
by decent raiment I have seen its eff
feet on unruly boys. Decency and clean
liness travel together. save in Isolated
cases. There are gentlemenly burglars
and educated thieves, I know, but their
crimes are small part Of the whole.
BETTY BRADEEN.