The Washington herald., 1912-11-24


there is hope Of elevsting her in the
eyes of the particular set" which she
longs to enter.
The depravity of society" of to-day
is appalling, and the higher up one
goes in the scale of society the lower
the standard of morality.
John Tanner says many things that
are absolutely true, and says them
we'll MAY DREsCHER
Asserts Society % Per Cent sham.
l. Society is 95 per cent sham, per
cent real. Social laws and conditions are
unjust. Society is governed by one thing,
and that is wear. We do things, not
because We wish TO do them, nor be-
cause they bring US pleasure and joy
in life, but because we are afraid, afraid
, Of false social laws, afraid Of biting So
ciety tongues.
2. American girls and girls of all ma
tions. II they ind an agreeable man.
make themselves agreeable, should
mutual admiration arise. they marry, as
the laws Of nature intend they should.
Single life is to be feared by all. What
troubles do arise in some marriages are
greatly overcome by the pleasures in all
marriages.
3. The many happy marriages con-
tracted disapprove the theory that proper
consideration is neglected. Very few
men could be rightly Judged by any girls
mother. as they see them and meet
them, as in question No. /. the sham
side of life. Most men are accepted by
the girl and not by the mother. as being
in his company the most, the girl is
the better Judge L A. ALBRIGHT.
Care Thompson -Starrett Company. Arlington Hotel.
Mothers Not to Blame.
The very manner in which Shaw sets
forth the inconsistent rulings OF society
in his most popular play. Man and
Superman." would prove to the most
narrow-minded his claim that this same
society is made up of mostly shams.
There is no doubt in the world that
the average girl, from the beginning of
her school days. is, as far as circum-
stances will permit. equipped with the
necessary accomplishments to make her
attractive to the average man and. yet.
according to all established precedents,
she must appear unconscious OF the rea-
son for this training, Veil any feelings
she may have fer any particular man,
and II she does resort to any of the
tricks with which Ann sought to cap
ture the unwilling Tanner, she must
never expose her hand. else she will be
the loser in the game of love. In this
game she must have no PARTNERSHIP
must play lone hand.
The increased number of divorces fol-
lowing heralded eventful weddings would
give color to Shaw's claim that mothers
are too eager to see their daughters mar
r!ed, but it Is here that l disagree with
the brilliant playwright. l think that the
average mother plans only for the hap
piness OF her daughter when she en-
cOuraees any particular suitor. and that
other conditions are TO blame for so
many unhappy marriages.
MRS. MAY WALKER
lZs Girard Street Northwest
Love Only should Decide.
AS an American. for the American. and
not in quest OF a reward, but for a
chance to express my opinion on the sub
jeCt, DO American Mothers. in Think
ing So Much OF Marriage for Their
Daughters. Neglect Proper Consideration
of Men Into Whose Hands They Give
the Future Happiness of Their Children"
America is proud of its women. and its
women are proud OF their daughters and
how and why can self-saCriicing mothers
as the majority OF mothers are, dare to
jeOpardize the happiness of their own
and even the progress of our country?
1t leads US to the powerful thought of
love. which, without a second cOnsid-
Grafton. is the foundation of life and
happiness. First. let us think of the
love the daughter may have for the man;
second, and, by far. the strongest, that
of the mother for the child. Can a wOm-
an, even with her desire. her eaGerness
to have her daughter to marry well, risk
the happiness, the-life. the soul of her
own blood? BY all means. no.
My vocabulary being limited, | cannot
put this in the language it should have.
but the feeling and the thought will not
be misunderstood by American mothers,
upon whom lies the future OF our coun-
try.
WALTER WHITE.
lis Kentucky Avenue Southeast.
Censorship UncaIIed For.
certainly agree with Mr.. Shaw that
there is too much sham about society
this applies most particularly right here
in Washington. True dignity. culture, re-
finement and position must have the
foundation of truth.
/ am glad to be able to disagree with
Mr.. Shaw on the second query. Now
adays the intelligent thoughtful girl, far
oftener than formerly, foresees that a
life of independent achievement is in
finitely superior to the slavery of mar
riage-as it unfortunately so often turns
out to be. This opinion must not be
construed against marriage. I believe
absolutely in marriage and motherhood
when people are rightly mated. But
girls are not half careful enough to
think long and well before giving the
wealth they bestow on men so often
unworthy of the trust.
AS to the third question, l am afraid
society mothers are prone TO be match
makers first of all, instead of match
matters, as they should be.
l have heard rumOrs that someone in
authority in Washington who has control
over such matters, is going to request of
the theater management expongement of
certain lines in Man and Superman." i
sincerely hope that Washington will not
be held up to such ridicule before the
world as would follow any interference
in the presentation of the full text of
Mr. Shaws play. While he handles GER
tain subjects plainly enough to bring
bushes to the cheeks Of sophistical hypo-
critics, these are persons too small and
inconsequent to begin to appreciate Mr.. |
Shaw's bigness. The subjects he treats !
so splendidly should be matters of pub |
lie discussion. Concealment, mystery and |
sophistry will never smother truth. They |
simply retard the day of its triumphant A!
realization. B. MUMFORD PECK.
Hotel Grafton.