The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-13
FROM OTHER PENS
occuPAr1oNAL WORK OF WOMEN.

| WOfkA Oc WO0QGlNs
There has been much guessing ana
much speculation. based upon surface
observation, with regard to the occu-
pational work Of women in the United
States. They are found holding posi-
tfons Of various kinds everywhere. It
has been a question. however, whether
they were not as a rule. combining their
activities to certain lines, with a ten
dency toward monopolizing them. The
larger cities afford opportunities to
women as to men in great diversity
Of callings, but it is not possible to
judge by them as to the range of wo-
mems experience in finding means OF
livelihood. 1t is possible to come nearer
approximate correctness by taking q
city of moderate size, such, for instance.
as Spokane. Wash. There one finds
a normal demand for labor. all the
trades and industries are active, BUSH
ness is flourishing. everything is grow
ing, and women should have oppor-
tunities Of helping themselves in num-
erous directions. And 1t would seem
from a survey Of the city registration
books OF Spokane that its women are
fairly represented in many lines. Those
who gave their occupation az "house-
keepers exceed all others in number.
These are followed by those who were
content to say that their duties lay
-s@-~>>s
equations covered practically all trades
except those that might be classified
as purely mechanical and manual.
There were BARRIERS, bakers, and II
that calling had any considerable fol-
lowing in our time there would UNI
doubtedly have been candlestick maxi
ers. In lieu Of the latter, however, and
In addition to the well known occupa-
lions OF women, there were jewellers,
tellers. binders. auditors land owners.
carpet workers. photographers. libra
rfans. reporters. grocers, financiers,
furniture fnishers, florists, restaurant
owners. authors and even litterateurs.
The exhibit brings out very plainly the
tact that women, after the manner OF
men. and as sound economics require.
are striving to avoid the crowding OF
occupations, thus depressing compen-
sation. In Spokane, at least, they have
apparently branched out in response
to the needs Of the community and II
is probable that they are in this man.
ner preserving a safe Industrial balance
everywhere else in this .country.-Chris-
tian Science Monitor.
EXTOLLING POVERTY.
Abraham Lincoln was born in the
country. He was born in an era when
poverty, while 1t may have been bitter.
had not the sting which the poverty OF
today has. He had for his guides q
woman's love and kindness, the Bible
ana Shakespeare. Napoleon had no
nome advantages, but It was his good
fortune to be drawn into proper and.
to him. inspiring school associations.
His studies absorbed him. They sup
piled him sinews for ambition and
stun for dreams. History might have
borne an entirely different physiog-
nomy. however. II Napoleon, instead Of
being born in Corsica, had been born
in the underworld of Paris. the under
world OF today. If Abraham Lincoln
had been born In slum like those we
have in Chicago or New York today. he
might not have ended as the great
emancipation. These reflections are
forced to mind by recent utterances of
DR.. Charles w. Eliot, ex-president of
Harvard, extolling poverty and imply
Ing that 1t makes for virtue rather
than for vice. The sincerity of the ven
cradle scholar cannot be questioned.
But apparently he IL completely out of
touch with the life Of the cities. of
industrial centers big and little Pow
erty breeds slums. The slums destroy
the health of their inhabitants They
dtstort their vision. And there can be
no sane mind In an unhealthy body.
Where the conditions Of life are as
british and foul az they are in the
slum, virtue cannot thrive. Poverty IN
generations past may have been a spur
to ambition sometimes. The grinding
poverty in the slums Of today nearly
always brushes and destroys.-Chicago
Tribune