New-York tribune., 1908-01-01
"SILLY," SAY WOMEN.
Gibbs Not Responsible for DirOrces
or Domestic Troubles.

Too silly talk about is the way New York
Cluhwomon characterize the replies sent by West
ern lawyers the Rry. Walter F. Tanner. OF Oak
land. Cal. who has been conducting symposium
on tho divorce evil Mr. Tanner asked forty law
give their opinions to the leading causes
IF divorce. majority answered that women's
clubs the greatest factor. They said that
modern club lie fostersd the affinity idea and dis
traCted from her proper sphere They
spoke of wine as the beginning OF much domestic
trouble
Oue attorney affirmed that Fasteners we're to ha
blamed for the moral laxitv in San Francisco
Fasteners who brought the West ideas of free
love and other things taught by womon's clubs.
If any clubs reSpo 7sihle far any part OF the
divorce evil said Mrs. Frederick Nathan. who be-
longs the Consumers League the Nomans
Health Protective and number Of other clubs. 1t
Is mems cluhs-Cluhs where mon drink, play cards
and gamble Womens clubs are mostly for of
two purposes-they are for sef-deveopment "r
they are altruiStic. They are working for cleaner
streets for better schools. How such things
strike al domestic life? Clubs don't take women
away from their homes Why. the Cluhwomen /
know are more devoted to their homes. more anx
ious to find out new ways and the best methods Of
housekeeping than other women.
IT isn't cIuhwomon who swell the divorce
ords. society women. added Mrs Nathan
The women who play bridge. who are forever at
teas at dinners, at the theatre-never at home
to blame
do / think that divorce is increasing? I think
!
but that is too big question 70 try
10 answer But people marry too lightly nowadays
They marry with the thought that the bond can
he easily broken. Those Western lawyers too
silly. They talk about wine-w"ll. l have lunched
at many women's clubs, and j have never had
wine offered me at any Of them. ] don't know ~
a women's club where free love is discussed. and
don't think any else does. How absurd. any
how. say that EaSterners have carried notions
of free love into the West, The East is cons"rvd-
tive He NsGr hat F1tiP And yH-Il hat
radicalism is fine. it's more likely Ia Ioad 10 di-
wore" and such things than conservatism is
But whatever makes divorces womcn's clubs
don't-though. mind YOU Mrs. Nathan added. too
much club life is bad for a When she be
longs To many clubs that il takes her away
from home every day she's OVERRIDING It very
much"
Mrs. John S Crosby president of the Woman's
Democratic Club. said she had yet to hear Of the
women's club where they talked about free love
and Athletics. II believe they do at the Sunset
Club" she observed. but though women do go
that club. it is managed by men 80 It's not "A
womcn's club. Most women's clubs are organized
for definite purpose that's good. / believe no
subject has been discussed at the women's
clubs in the last year than child labor Nothing
nimicaI 10 domestic happiness in that. is there?
1t would be a good thing II men would 60 more
to womens clubs and get to know about them
added Mrs Crosby. Perhaps some OF the disan-
proving would change did a man who accom-
panied his wife-both of them vistors-to an
evening meeting Of the Womcn's Democratic Club
lately. Before the evening he wanted
his wife to Join.
is there more divorce than there was? ] don't
think so: but 1 think that are more inde-
pendent than OF old-they go out into the
world. and when marriage is unbearable they
needn't bear II. But women's clubs don't break
up homes Why. most men whose wives are doing
brilliant club work proud of 1T
Mrs. Harriet Stanton Blatch said she thought the
anonymous lawyer who accused wcmen's clubs
of teaching free love should be called ON TO yerIf,
his words The thing is too absurd 10 be ais
cussed'' she added. "Clubs-Wonen's clubs-ar. a
form o! occupation. Modern inventions and meth
DDS have made housekeeping much less strenu-
Gus that the modern woman hasn't nearly so much
TO do. and some women fill the vacant time with
club work. But | don't think Women's clubs are
threatening domestic happineEs."
One we'll known oluhwoman upon " hom the Tr!b- |
une reporter called was out but her husband VAS
at home. He gsid. with profound regret that he |
was sorry Ms wife wasn't there.
shes we'll iI formed the divorce evil and most
other subjects" he said. proudly; she could tell
gea al yee want % know"