The Washington times., 1910-04-16
HOW MAY SHE FIND THE
RIGHT MANI

That wac. indeed. an interesting letter
which was published on the Woman's
Page Of The Times Friday evening
Those who read il must have been
impressed by the frank complaint
OF the writer, and those who did not
read It may well do 50, for upon all
of Us must rest responsibility for the
circumstances against which the young
author protests.
Briefly, the writer prop0unds this
query, which has taken possession Of
her and aroused in her mind a sense
OF the possible hopelessness of her
outlook
How may 1 enlarge my circle Of &C
CUairtalCe among eligible men without
CversteppinE the bounds Of propueCy2
How, indeed may she accomplish this
seemingly impossible out enormously
desirable undertaking? Man has but
10 choose his women friends, as a rule,
but woman must wait 70 be chosen.
This Is especially true Of the young
woman who supports herself. The
least word OF act from her that could
possibly be interpreted as forward Is
so interpreted, nine times out Of ten
As a result, she must learn 20 walk
demurely along the restricted limits OF
her little path, looking neither TO the
right nor 10 the left, on guard always
against the probability that any mani
festatiUn OF interest IN a member OF the
opposite sex VII be accepted as an IN
vitatiou 10 participate In a Irritation.
And If. ~ chance, she properly and
formally meets man who appeals 70
hzr as a desirable companion and
friend, how. pray, Is her companion
ship OF association with him 20 be pro
motedg He cannot call upon her II her
home consists Of one room IN a board
ing house
II she lives with her people she is
somewhat more fortunate. but the same
circumstances which send her 10 the
shop the store the factory, OF the Of
flee are quite likely 10 hedge her IN
away from desirable male friends and
70 discourage the friendship Of and as
ISOLATION with men who would be suit
able companions.
She cannot go TO public places
with men without a chaperon-
and she's usually triHe short
OF this necessary commodity On
Sunday afternoons she may take
street car ride IF the weather IS pleas
ant or may 20 for a walk in a park.
When one has granted her that priv
Iege, however, one has allowed her
about all that the Proprieties permit
Every one must sympathize keenly
with the young woman who has had
she courage TO put IN writing these per
picking thoughts, which must fire.
aUentIv occupy the minds Of thousands
and thousands Of American girls. Here
In Washington there are hundreds who
must find themselves confronted By
the same difficulties as chose en-
countered by the writer These Ger
tainIv have the right TO ask
the rest OF the world this question.
which appeared IN another portion o.
the young womsn's letter.
Does II not seem unfair that woman
must abide within the narrow confines
liz which circumstances have thrown her
or, i1 the effort 10 surround herself with
CO1EeniaI companions. seem 70 override
the conventions
The writer asks what she shall do
about It, and what society Is going TO
do about 1t OF should do about It. The
Times does not hesitate to admit
frankly that 1t doesn't know. That
this young woman, and many. many
others ike her, are victims Of injustice
Is certain Not only this girl, but count
less others. VIII be thankful 10 anyone
who can offer a remedy
The Times VIII be glad to lend its
columns to the public for a discussion
OF the problem, IN the hope that q way
out may perhaps be found for those to
whom male compsnionship and friend
ship. love. and a chance OF marriage are
now practically denied because Of the
commercial selfshness OF the heartIess-
ness Of society