New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-17
Sixty-five of Eighty-six Depart
ments Are Now SystematiCal-
~ Organized for "Cause."
GERMAN PROGRESS SLOW
ALI Special Privileges Oppose
Equal Rights in Empire
Belgian Women Are
Active for Ballot.
BY Ida Hustled Harper.

opnOsites IN almost every respect, ofrer
no more striking contrast than in the
treatment by the two governments of the
woman suffrage question. In the latter
II is wholly ignored. but in France II is
recognized as a prominent political
measure. and If the women themselves
we're sufficiently organized and active
thew would probably he able 10 secure
the municipal franchise at least This
Is in fact all they are hoping FOR at
present. and the parliament looks upon
II favorably. but here. as everywhere
else measures are constantly pressing
which men regard as more important
than the enfranchisement of women. II
NAV be said. however. that up to re-
cent date this has received more val
liable support here from men than from
women. For many years there were
woman's rights societies in Paris. but
they were extremely radical and had
no cohesion among themselves
Women systematically Organizing.
Within the last four or FIVE years a
different class OF women has taken up
the work of systematic organiza ton
throughout the country into a national
association. federated with the inter
national alliance At the time OF the
congress in Stockholm, two years ago,
Il had 5000 members, nearly all in
Paris. Now. under the able presidency
Of Nine de Witt-Schlumberger IL num-
hers over $4,000. and sixty-flve out OF
the eighty-six departments OF France
&c n
systematic work; TO hold national con-
vention every year, and 20 be officially
recognized by parliamentary commit
tees. and good results are already ap-
parent
France is the only government 10 ap-
point an official commission TO make a
thorough Investigation into the practical
working Of woman suffrage where it ex-
fists. although Sweden authorized GER
tain individuals 70 do this. This COM
mission. OF which Ferdinand Buisson
was chairman. not only made a very
favorable report. but urged a govern
mont bill for woman suffrage. 1t ad-
vieed that "as the country must be led
gradually toward this electoral change,
women should commence with that part
O. the life Of the nation which touches
them most directly" and urged that
direct. universal municipal suffrage
should be- given 10 them and that later
this should be extended TO the parlia-
mcntary.
A hill for this purpose was prepared
10y n. Dussaussoy. and has been favor
ably reported by the committee. Here
again the old story is reported. for the
Chamber Of Deputies has before IL bill
for proportional representation. which
would much increase the electoral
Strength IF men, and whenever in any
country there is a proposal 10 give a
vote 20 any man who hasn't one, or TO
improve the one he already has. the
women must stand aside and wait.
There is. however. a favorable senti-
ment I'm the Chamber Of Deputies toward
the experiment Of municipal suffrage
FOR women. and thus far the Socialists
are supporting il. The women Will &C
cent it II they cannot get more, but
they have asked 20 be included on equal
terms If proportional representation Is
adopted. The Temps" thinks thss a
very legitimate proposition" if they are
CAPABLE Of voting in municipal affairs
and the Journal des Debats' agrees
Most Of the conservative papers are OPP
uosed to any enfranchisement Of women;
the press in general Is not hostile, but
like that Of some other countries, It
would much rather exploit the militancy
OF the English suffragettes than describe
the real progress OF the movement al
home or abroad.
Prospect in France Encouraging.
on the whole the prospect in France IS
encouraging and, here as elsewhere. along
with the movement for the complete suf-
frage have come collateral gains. Women
engaged in trade, either as employers OF
ernploves may vote for the tribunals OF
commerce or trade councils, that settle
many important matters. and they are
eligible TO serve on these tribunals.
on one occasion when the president Of
the textile department was absent WON
an member was called 70 Ill his place
whose functions are those OF a magis-
trate. There is a growing disposition "a
put women on municipal commissions-for
school hygiene. cheap dwellings, prison
control, etc. Two women lawyers have
been placed on very important commits
sion for drafting bills; another has been
made a member OF an parliamentary
commission 70 frame a bill for child pro-
lection. and yet these women cannot vote
for the members who will pass upon these
bills!
In administering the law in what are
usually called Juvenile courts II has been
decided lawyers OF both sexes may make
the supplementary inquiry" and the
Minister OF Justice declares that this rem
ders them eligible AZ magistrates
At the recent congress Of the Associa-
ton for Womcn's Employment the Cabi-
net Minister Of Public instruction was Of
fcially represented by Nine Kergomard,
general inspector OF kindergartens and
officer Of the Legion of Honor bill for
the assistance Of mothers. pending for
thirteen years. has now become law, also
one allowing the mother OF a child born
out o. wedlock 20 claim support for II
from the father. bill for a minimum
wage for women who take work home 70
do is before the parliament; also one 70
equalize the salaries OF men and women
public school teachers. The most remark
able thing about this is that II is sup
ported by the men In their own teachers
union and IN another Of both sexes called
by the felicitous title the Friendly Mixed.
All these Incidents are straws showing
that In France the wind Is blowing toward
equal rights for women.
o., Dsxan..e Ia Herrnapy