New-York tribune., 1911-04-18
WOMEN ASK ABOUT GRAFT
Turn on John L. Walsh When He
CrMicises Their Clubs.

Commissioner John L. Walsh Of the De-
partment Of Weights and Measures told
Mrs. Gilbert Joness anti-suffragists, when
he stood up 70 speak before them In No. %
Madison avenue. yesterday. that he had
poor opinion OF worans clubdor. but ne
promptly showed that portion Of woman's
cmbdorn which wa. gathered there that he
wasn't going to tolerate the same kind OK
an opinion In return.
Mr. walsh rarely had sat down. after q
speech about how women make dishonest
tradesmen by not watching the butcher 70
see that he puts no iron sinkers In the
chicken 10 mike II weigh more. when an
anti -sunragist in a purple hat arose. Otn-
ers in green. yellow, mauve and crimson
hats arose aBo
We want Z, know about the graft OF the
inspectors" they chorused.
Mr.. Walsh lad been speaking peacefully
behind a tablt but with one bound ne was
in the middle II the floor.
That is a very interesting question" ne
said bitterly. Am I TO understand that
you imply thai my inspectors take graft
"Well-er-w,lr'- suffered the purple
hat.
We tust asked-we didn't imply any
thing" pleaded the green hat
Perhaps" said Mrs. Jones. the chair
man. smoothly wed better put 1t this
way, that INSPECTORS In all other city de-
partn1ents take graft. but that Mr.. Walsh S
inspectors do not"
But the weights and measures man re-
fused TO be plscated.
Whenever any men in a department are
accused Of graft the public takes II for
granted that the head Of the department is
getting II. He may be as honest as
Mr.. Walsh placed his hand on his breast
and sighed for a minute, while several
young and pretty anti-suffra gists giggled
loudly But II makes no difference; yeu
can't get the idea out Of the public's head
that the Commissioner shares the graft
As for my men. however-well, Just wish
l was at the head OF a private business
with my inspectors 10 work for me. l
wouldn't ask better chance" said the
speaker During the SHOWS OF LAST winter
my men worked eighteen hours a day"
DO they vote7" asked Mrs Jones, sud
denly. Why doesn't the vote bring them
an eisrt-hour law"
YES why doesn't IT." chorused the anti
suftrs gists
They vote" said the spenk-r, lockins
surprised. because he didn't catch the drirt
Of Mrs. Joness question.
"But they worked eighteen hours day
purely 70 serve the public. which is an
ungratetul lot-an ungrateful lot ne
added warmly.
Then he took occasion 20 say q coed word
for Mayor Geynor.
Persons sometimes &C 70 his honor ana
| complain o, my department-persons VINO
ara accused BY my department: but MS
honor tells them. Go out. ye fools ana
thieves
The Commissioner said this in his deepest
voice. appearing to enjoy himself I'M
mensely. while the suffragsts knitted
their brovs trying TO remember Whetner
It came from the Bible or Epictetus.
The Mayor IS criticised for taking the
attitude he does" the speaker went on
but il takes a great brain to deaf Win
things as his honor does"
Women. Mr.. Walsh asserted. had II IN
their power 20 compel dealers to give
honest weight and measure. The SEMI
refined idea that A woman must not scruti-
nize her nice butcher does not appeal 20
nv thought of what woman's clubdom
ought 10 be-" be said, earnestly, "That
idea has got 70 GO