The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-20
Mrs. John A. Logan Talks Of the
Turkey Trot and Modern 'Small Vices
Scores Sufragist Methods and
Says that She Counts Most
on Wife of President in
Decency Crusade.

during the civil war has not deserted her
as age has come on. Her spirit is just as
unavoidable as when she was the
stanch ally of her soldier husband.
~ don't want you to think that criti-
else any legitimate activity that a lady
can engage in in the pursuit of her pur-
pose,'' she told me, smiling. Il have
been a busy woman all my life long I've
never been idle that can remember ana
I don't intend to be, just as long as 1
am able to be of any USE"
1.-The modern woman Is not exactly
idle" I interjected. "She is deeply in
terested in questions of social bettermens,
at least, a great many of her are
Charity Now n Diversion.
!. "Oh, / don't doubt that" Mrs. Logan
answered. But what sort of interest has
she? Merely as diversion! She is ex-
cited over uplift movements because they
are a fad. 1t is quite the thing to be
concerned about some social settlement
I'm afraid that most of our young girls
who take up this sort of work find in II
principally recreation. They have little
genuine sympathy for the young women
they pretend to help. This wholesale
charity makes paupers anyhow"
Then you don't think that Mr.. Car
negie and the rest of the philanthropists
bic hostess
Mrs Logan did not hesitate before the
direct query. II most certainly do think
the modern system of charity has de-
grading results 1t is very easy for a
man and a woman to beg for money II
all they have to do is to put their names
down on a list of other applicants for aid.
If the needy person had to go to the ricn
man personally, and submit to numerous
1T,
erty don't you think they would less fire.
quently need assistance? ] believe that
personal charity is the only right kind.
When benefactions come from the
donors secretary or philanthropic fund,
then the giving is merely mechanical and
the beneficiary becomes chronic beggar.
You will think i am a terrible old
pessimist, my dear. I'm really not so de-
spondent over things as l SEEM sEe
said. Il do wish, though, that young
people showed more interest in Their
churches. 1t is so difficult 10 rouse any
enthusiasm among them. The older peo
pie on whom the church charities have
rested so long are wearing out from their
labors. And where will the charities be
in few years? / suppose they will be
thrown on the State for support because
the church members are too much occu-
pied with cards and dancing to bother
about them.
II wish 1 could explain just how wicked
think the new dances are" Mrs. Logan
sighed in an old-fashioned lady-lil way.
And the terrible part of it is that really
nice people are dancing them. Women,
sweet, refined women, have taken UP
these contortions that have originated in
the commonest sort of dance halls.
Watch Mrs. Wilson.
But ! do think that the crusades of
the moralists are making a step In til:
right direction Thoughtful people are
waking up to the realization of whers
society is drifting. And do you know on
whom l count for the greatest help in
this crusade for decency? Why, on Mrs.