The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-05
A Woman Wants to Know.

A Woman Wants TO Know
An observant woman reader OF The
Washington Herald. a resident OF the
new northwest section OF the city. VINO
incloses her card as an evidence OF good
faith. but subscribes herself merely "A
Rib" makes the following requests for
information.
"Wn yoa kindly answer Few pertinent cues
tons from an imucrtincnt Rib, otherwise known
a Just WumanI
IF this great government can manage sue
cessfully 20 jos along minus President. Vice Presi-
dent. Secretaries. &C.. &c. why incumber the peo-
pie with these apparently unnecessary officers, 20
say nothing Of their salaries.
Why anno. the streets Il Washington be torn
Nd In August. and be IN proper condition for rc-
turning eitizcls in October?
Why DO not the street car companies provide
special cars for the honest workinEmau between
and O'Clock in the afternoon 30 that plumbers.
plastercrs painters. &c. &c pin not feel cni-
harassed when women and children board the same
csre
Why are certain chimes in large apartment
house allowed 70 send forth large volumes Of blac,
smoke seys.al hours dailyl
why are NC men DONG extra Wcrk on the
Potomac Drive when City could be employed daily
and the Drive" finished before VIC are all dead'
Why ale automobiles allowed 20 90 ike mad in
the Roe; Greek ParE.
If you win answer these few questions, I will
Be exceedingly grateful and viii ask few more
IN the near future. RIB"
II IS quite in line with the aims OF this
newspaper to dispense information when
It can. and it VIII endeavor to do so IN
this case. categorically, II not adequately
and satisfactorily:
Flrst-Undoubtedly the government
does succeed. as it always has sue
ceeded. in jogging along successfully.
whatever happens. But this fact ap-
piled to the temporary absence or the
President and members Of his Cabi-
net by no means implies that these Of
hcials are an unnecessary incum-
brance Far from it. To a greater OF
less degree their duties and RESPONSE
bilitics travel with them Fuller
equipment for public service naturally
follows a more intimate knowledge OF
the public that is being served Much
as we miss the President. we honestly
believe ne will return a better and
stronger President after this swing
around the circle.
Second-We have never been able to
discover a reason. founded In common
sense. why the streets Of Washington
should be inopportunely and almost
continuously torn up. or why repairs
should not be made Of the main thor
Oughfarcs in the summer season. when
traffic and public comfort and con-
venience would be the least disturbed
Third-A segregation OF street car
patrons has never been found prac-
ticable. however desirable. New York
women declined to ride in cars pro-
vded for their exclusive use. and
similar experiments have resulted
similarly whenever and wherever tried.
Patrons generally seek quick service
and persist in boarding the first avail
able car. regardless Of occupants or
crowded conditions That IS the way
o. the world
Fourth-Because the authorities. by
not uniformly and rigidIy enforcing
the anti-smoke law. are failing 10 do
their duty
Fifth-Because. apparently. Uncle
Sam cannot throw of his slothful
habit Of doing things plecemeaL II
is this same slothful habit that puts
on from year to year buying ground
needed for public use while It is con-
stantly Increasing in value. Uncle
Sam Cmeaning Congress also) has
some peculiarly set and costly ways.
but IS mighty good old fellow just
the same
Sixth-Because fortunately there
has not yet been an automobile acct
dent In Rock Creek Park to furnish an
object lesson Of the criminal danger
OF such fooIhardlness.
Possibly better answers than these here
given may be forthcoming, and they are
Invited. Space cannot be promised. how
ever. for long and tiresome Official ex
ruses and explanations Meanwhile TIL,
Washington Herald will be pleased tc
hear further from ~ Rib" It likes &c
keep in touch with wide-awake people.