Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-08-12
other social affairs are unpopular in

When the Duly TEL Tale an
nounces that Nick Brown is wander
ing with suspicious frequency in the
direction of Deacon Smiths residence,
wherein abides Deacon Smiths pret-
ty daughter Ga pleasing forerunner
OF an engagement announcemenD,
the relentless village school teacher:
obeying Crusader Kepford, sends
young Brown a printed notice,
Hold her hand if you must, but
don't kiss her.
The faith of Crusader Kepford in
the young women of Iowa is truly
touching In the course of recent
address he said:
There are JOG, 900 babies in Iowa
to-day and FIVE times as many grow
ing children, whom we are educ ating
to forswear kisses"
But on one factor Crusader Kep-
ford does not seem to count, the will.
lingness of the Iowa man to obey the
command. Will he use gentle but
effective force, or move to State
where kissing is not only permitted
but encouraged by all the wiles
which Eve introduced in the dear old
n or1,, of EIoo D
In one generation | can stamp
out kissing" announced the crusader
before De Moines QowO audience,
recently. It's merely custom, and
holds no real joy"
Iowa, as represented by Des
Moines, listened, but not entirely
convinced. No Joy in kissing?
That's what Iowa wants to know,
and they are holding parlor debates,
without audiences, but including
practical tests of deep and vital
interest. Sewing circles are dis
cussing the question. Hot argu-
ments are started at women's club
meetings and receptions, but at the
mems club the members are saying:
"Oh. joy! the day of the unkissed
girl is perhaps at hand. If we live
long enough we may yet meet some
fair, unkissed grille in a quiet lane,
thrill her with the unsought, unex-
pected caress and owe the joyous op-
portunity to the great crusader"
Crusader Kepford started out to
fight the great white plague. but the
object of the quest seems to have
been diverted to a systematic fight
on kissing. His critics do not con-
tend that he is off the track, but
they do ask the true meaning of his
effort to have q number OF Iowa
philanthropists offer a prize of 500
to each unkissed girl OF fifteen, with
an added prize of s. annually for
every year she goes unkissed until
married. AS yet the philanthropists
have not materialized, but Crusader
Kepford has hopes. Men, philan-
thropists and otherwise, are study
ing other phases of the great cru
sade,
Is life without kisses really worth
while? s
And just how far will the law back
up the crusader?
Will it order gas turned on full
head in family parlors. Danish cozy
corners and illuminate one. time dim
and dusky dells with cruel electric
lights?
Will this new philosophy. like
vaccination, take" with the girls?
And the girls? They are saying
nothing-just hanging out their lit
tie signs and thanking Crusader
Kepford for providing them with ore
more weapon in the wonderful game
OF coquetry. The kiss, actually for
biddon, becomes even more desirable
than the kiss merely denied by pout.
ing lips and veiled eyes. Iowa men,
say the girls, have handled the aw-
full problem of local option, horse
racing and corporate greed. Why
worry about the fashion in which
they will dispose of mere crusader
against kissing?