The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-23
Worlds Women
Paragraphs Showing ProEressive !
J Activities of Women and I
} Feminine OrEanizations. I

Change of administration at WASH
lngton produces alterations not as pro-
claimed as are those of politics. but
influential indeed. These are the So
cial changes, dear to women. but not
unconsidered by men.
When Mrs. Roosevelt was the first
lady of the land. the smart society of
New York was much in evidence at
the white house. as it had ever been
since the days of Arthur. When Mrs.
Taft became first lady. New York
took a back seat. and Cincinnati,
along with some of Ohio outside Gin
%cinnati. sent her first families to APP
pear in social limelight.
NUT Mrs. Wilson a southern woman.
will bring another regime. such as
has moi been established in Washing
ton since the days of the war. There
were southern men in Mr.. Cleveland's
cabinet. but Mrs. Wilson, although the
wife of a man elected from New Jcr-
sey. is a typical southern woman.
Soft, drawly voices. low laughter,
sweet grace. the manner Of a simple
and courteous society, will distinguish
the white house the next four years.
The glitter Of money may glisten less
shininGly. and the polish of good
breeding be a shade more approved.
Perhaps a hint for amendment may
go forth from the white house to re-
form II social degeneration. to in
spire to a better courtesy. a finer tone.
so soften that hard materialism which
of late seems dominant IN social life,
to retite the growing vulgarity Of os-
tcnation. amusement. conversation.
In the December Woman's Homo
Companion appears an article about
Virginia Brooks of West Hammond,
Illinois. who has done a great work
which is partly described in the fol-
lowing extract from the articles:
Miss Brooks was leading the pleas
ant life of a Chicago girl in comfort
able circumstances when a notice as
sessing herself and her mother two
thousand dollars on some vacant lots
that they owned in the ~neighboring
town of West Hammond. Illinois.
strengthened certain suspicious in her
mind that the rulers of that town
We're not all that they should be. Sub
sequent Investigations confirmed those
suspicious to such an extent that Miss
Brooks and her mother closed their
Chicago home II moved into Il little
cottage in West Hammond to see what
was to be done about it. 1t appeared
that the town. with Il voting popula-
ton of $50. supported fifty-five saloons
with all varieties of Objectionable re-
sorts in due proportion. Largely on
account of O~NertaXation, II result of
extensive graft. there We're in the
southern half of the town but twenty
five houses free of mortgage. More
over. the ruling powers now proposed
that the town be Incorporated as 4
city. for the purpose. Miss Brooks in
ferred. of enabling the controlling ring
still further to increase the burdens
of taxation. Under such Circumstance
es. az any reformer could tell you.
the proper thing to do vas to appeal
to the people,
Unlike many reformers. Miss
Brooks knew how to appeal. In this
instance the people were mostly
Poles. Miss Brooks began by learn
ing their language. She then adj
dressed them at public meetings with
such effect that she completely won
her impulsive. warm-hearted auditors.
Not only was the incorporation project
signally defeated. but Miss Brooks had
so sturdy an army of :'oliSh voters be-
hind her that she felt strong enough
to urge more active reforms.
'l'ighting an organized ring is not
an easy task. and Miss Brooks had
many disbursements: hut in the end
the decent citizens We're thoroughly
awakened. \ reform ticket was put
into the field and won an overwheim-
ing victory. and the last dive in West
Hammond. called in derision The Vir-
ginia Brooks closed its DOORS"