Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-02

1t is absolutely impossible for any hui
man being to live a neutral life in this
world. One must either add to the pros
perity and progress of society by the pro-
duction OF some useful substance or Hnal-
ity. or lessen the value of the production
of others by wastefulness. There VIII al
ways be some wasters,. although. fortu-
nately for the general good. the number
is comparatively small. The women
MASTERS in America occupy the unique
position of exceliing the women of every
other nation in extravaganza and waste
fulness. To large degree this waste
fulness is developed by the amount of
leisure time at their disposal The mis-
chief done by idle hands is never better
typified than in the wastefulness Of a
certain type of American woman. 1t has
assumed such proportions as to anect
commercial prosperity in some Localities,
and its prevalence among women OF mod
crate means Is more alarming imam Among
those of wealth.
A feature of modern business life is the
bonding corporation, which, for fixed
rate each year, assumes the responsibility
for the trusts committed to a man hold
ing either public Office or private en-
pIoyment in which he has the handling
of other peoples money. A generation ago
it was customary for man to ask his
friends 10 go UPON HIS UOHO 4NOW Ic 6OCS
10 one of these companies and pays 1t
for the risk 1t assumes. Before issuing
n bond the company makes careful in
vestigation regarding all of the conditions
of the mans life. his reputation, personal
habits and his resources. But the most
important matter of all is the investiga-
ton regarding the habits of his wife. A
man credited with an eXtravasant Wire
will find il harder to secure bond. he
may have to pay a higher rate than other
simply because the experience OF all COM
panies goes to show that the most ire
auent cause Of defalcation by men sup
posedly honest is the extravagant demapd
made upon their moderate incomes by
their prodigal wives
4
Young man of exceptional business
capacity and high standing recently
had a posi-
How Young Man tion tender
ed h m
Lost Business Chance. which re-
ouired him to give bonds OF several
thousand dollars for security. His ap-
plication was rejected by the bonding
company to which he applied and he
lost his chance of success. A mutual
friend asked the president of the COM
pany why the young mans application
his own account was the answer. II
have nc. doubt IL left to his own i'm
pulses Brown would be as straight as
a man could be. But his wife has ac-
CURED the habit of entertaining her
friends in the tearooms OF the swell
est hotels every two or three days and.
of course, dresses to correspond with
the other people who go there. My
wife can't afford to waste my money
that way and I know his can't. SO We
decided not to take the risk.
Women of this wasteful type affect
to believe themselves superior to any
form of economy Il cannot belittle
myself by haggling about the cost Of
things" said one woman Of this type.
"if 1 want a thing l order II. 1t has
to get paid for somehow" They make
the mistake Of believing that by Law
ish expenditure. they are assertinA
their superiority to petty financial de-
tails which women accustomed to the
expenditure of money. usually deem 1t
prOper to assume. Every tradesrnan
knows that the woman who has been