The Detroit times., 1913-04-12
Detroit housswives' League.

TO the Editor Of The Times:
On the morning OF April 10 there
appeared in the Detroit Free Press
ar article in connection with the
| Downing milk bill, which arraigned
the Detroit Housewives league. as be-
ing composed OF women who wanted
cheap things regardless OF quality. and
| whose stupidity made them party
10 the slaughter OF the innocents.
AS this arraignment Is SO far from
the actual purpose Of the league, |
beg leave to say word or two in de.
Tense OF the leagues endorsement or
the Downing bill.
II Is well-known fact. known alike
to men OF Affairs and women who
study the various questions affecting
the home. that the inspection OF milk
in Michigan 10 not what IL should be
II Is not my purpose. however. TO FUR
thei emphasize this point.
The league endorsed the bill be-
cause II called for competent men,
trained In dairy farming. who were
graduates OF the state agricultural col
lege, All institution supposed 10 turn
out the best In standing and informa-
ton. and because. so far as the league
could Judge. outside OF the political
aspects OF the question. II seemed en-
inently fair TO producer and consumer
alike or course. since so great a
home question as the milk supply Is
not a civil service matter. the league
confesses its ignorance in many points
that are probably clear 10 the man
who votes.
The charge that the Housewives
league is so swayed by cupidity and
stupidity as to be willing 10 endanger
the lives Of the helpless infants II was
!, organized TO protect. would be laugh
able. II II were not 50 serious as
. there Ii an evident misapprehensior
regarding the real purpose OF the
league. l. trust | may be permitted &c
, make clear the real aims OF the organ
ization.
The Detroit league Is not purely q
local body; it Is branch OF the Ma
tional league which has branches IL
New York, New Jersey, Massachu
sets, Connecticut. New Hampshire
Vermont, Maine. Illinois. Indiana
. Utah. Missouri. Wisconsin. Louisiana
} Virginia. and is rapidly growing ir
other states. 1t stands primarily fol
the economic justice which Is socia
justice. Its aim Is not. as has beer
asserted. "cheapness." but "a square
deal for all"
IL does not fight" even exorbitan,
and unfair prices. II seeks instead &c
find better prices, higher standards
better quality. One Of the best refuta
lions OF the charge Of ''cheapness" IL
the fact that the league sprang into
being among class OF women who
are financially independent. and to
whom low prices do not make an
urgent appeal
That there is, In Detroit. as else
where. body OF women who do not
live for themselves alone, has been
amply proven by the heroic efforts
made to reduce the cost of living &c
a level comm ensurate with the salary
Of the average man
The Housewives league IL first
foremost. solely and all the time al
work for the best interests OF the
home. II seeks to safeguard II in
every way; to clear the long-obstruct
ed avenues Of trade between pro-
Queer and consumer: to create a
healthful and happy environment for
everybody. In doing this il makes no
war on individuals. and does not even
! fight" bad conditions II seeks in
stead. with the cooperation OF all
right thinking people, to create bet
ter conditions.
II this Is being cheap" IL this Ia
being "inhuman" why then the
league must accept the soft impeach.
ment.
MRS. ALICE E. BARTLETT.
Press Chairman Housewives League
1896 Vinewood ave
April IL, 1918.