The Washington herald., 1909-06-22
7OME PAGE-OF INTEREST TO WOMEN
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIEW

II is amusing 10 hear miIlionaires pre-
diet prosperity for the country with high
prices. There viii never be prosperity
for the working classes II high prices for
necessities prevail. There are things We
must have, and Il seems as II they ought
20 be placed within the reach Of all who
deserve them, and that high prices should
be reserved for luxuries. Life is a hard
problem on a small income, because rent.
food, and clothing are so very high. and
the man who could see a remedy for
them would indeed be a savior.
There must be a strict elimination in
our mode Of living if we are TO get along
without debts. and that is the only way
il which we may hope to get any degree
Of comfort Rent must be the first con-
sideration. and it need not be as preten-
nous as II Is In many cases. Hardwood
floors and open hreplaees are fine. but
they are not necessities. and more than a
roof over ones head Is necessary to de-
cent living. The fuel question is a hard
one. Coal and wood are expensive, and
gas is not enough cheaper 70 offer any
relief The necessity for heat varies IN
different localities and in different years,
but we cannot get away from the fact
that we are nos comfortable below GER
tain temperature
The clothing proposition offers many
difficulties. Cheap cloth has no wearing
quality. and the initial expense Of high
grades puts them out OF reach for the
owners Of slender purses. Unquestion-
ably we spend too much money on orna-
ments and probably We use bad Judgment
in selecting clothing al all times. know
that homemade undergarments. sheets.
and pillow cases wear better than ready
made ones, and that many women who
could ind time 20 do plain. sewing prefer
10 do fancy work Children's clothes are
rarely made at home. despite the fact
that il is the cheaper way OF providing
them.
Food is a harder problem each year and
nobody seems 70 be able 10 give the rea-
son Meat IS frightfully high. but so are
other foods. and worried housewives OF
the middle classes wonder how poor farni-
lies manage 10 keep soul and body to-
gether. Cultivating a taste for grains
seems to be the only way out OF the difi-
Guilty, and that is not a pleasant way IN
many Instances. With all the poultry
raising going on. eggs and chickens are
expensive eating, and dairy products are
appalling IN price. The cost OF living Is
offered as good excuse for avoiding
housekeeping. and am not sure that Il
Is not true Those who buy IN quantities
get the benefit OF wholesale priees-that I
IS. where the proprietors OF boarding
houses make their small profit
I think none Of US wish 10 deny a fair
profit 10 any business, but We rebel az ex- I
we happen 20 be In the
ing do not know If there viii ever be I
better conditions. because might makes 4
light in such matters. but we can do or
best 70 meet conditions with the least dis
'omfort and bring up the children to do
IS much. You know we are not perform
ng the prodigies OF economy that OBJ
aimed In our grandmOthers' days. and
'ur children are not all being eoufpped
o do as much as We are doing now. They
hink in millions when they should be
pennies, and that IS not the best
ray 20 equip them for bread-winning
IS doing its best 10 educate
be children OF the ignorant IN practical
wing. but the children OF the better
lasses have false ideas OF the value OF
money, and no effort IS being made 10
oIIeot tnen- BETTY BRADEEN.