The Washington herald., 1914-05-18

WOMEN RIDICULE
aBACHEL0RBILL' =
How About the Poor Men
Who Can't Marry'" In-
quire Sufragists.
FREEDOM In COURTSHIP
Leaders Don't Lake Massachusetts,
Measure Which Says Two Years
Limit or Pay Fine"
FREEDOM In COURTSHIP

Washington suffrage leaders declar'
that law limiting courtship. such Al
the Massachusetts legislature is weighint
In the balance now. is ridiculous and i'm
possible and shows plainly the need o.
women representatives in that body.
The bill that is attracting nationwide
attention and makes a good argument
on which the suffragists can wax strong
is called the Bachelor BILL" and its OBJ
5ect is TO make 1t compulsory for 6
young man to marry a girl whom he has
courted for two years or. else pay the
State Of Massachusetts, fine.
Hew About the Poor Mani
Mrs. Mary lockwood. active member
of the @Congressional Union, is of the
opinion that the law would be lsckins
u passed-though II Is not conceivable
to her that ii can ever be passed-in the
fact that it makes no provision for the
young man who might not have the re-
quisite money to marry with.
The State should guarantee a living
to every man IT would force to marry.
Let II place this amendment before it
makes the bill a law" Mrs. lockwood
said
Lack Of money is the main reason. in
my opinion. why there are not more mar
riages, and the high cost of living is
greatly responsible. A small salary that
kept . couple comfortably some few
years ago will not do the same now"
declared Mrs. Lockwood,
Maternal Council OF Women Voters, de-
clares that in the eleven States where
women have the vote there never was
such q law even suggested.
DR.. King laughed at what she called
THE utter Righteousness of the thing"
Nature of Eastern Women.
Evidently the man who suggested that
bill knows little of the nature of East
ern women" she said. 81 cannot imagine
any woman who would want a man to
marry her who was not willing to give
her the vote 1t is a perfect farce"
That is conclusive proof that no legis-
lation ought to be put through without
women's participation said Miss Elsie
Hill, a director of the Congressional
Union, and daughter of former Repre-
sentative Hill. of Connecticut, when she
had heard Of the bill.
"'The laws made in male legislations are
along this type and sufiicient proof. And"
Mrs. Antoinette Funk, vice chairman of
the Congressional committee. thinks that
the uch-discussed bill is too absurd to
notice.
THAT is the quickest way to knock II
in the head" Mrs. Funk declared. .'I
would not lend 1t the dignity to even
discuss it,
The Massachusetts, statute was pri-
marialiy intended to increase the num-
ber of marriages in that State. It's sup
porters claim that the modern man Is
less eager to marry than those Of two
or three generations ago. In regard to
this phase of the question a Washington
Buffragist who does not want her name
made public said:
Freedom in Courtship.
"I do not believe in any law to limit
the time of courtship In the matter of
choosing ones wife or ones husband
there should be perfect personal freedom
.The remedy? Why, it's easy. Girls
would be content to take the street cars
to and from dances. II a young suitor
gives a girl expensive presents which she
knows he cannot afford, she or her mother
kind Of a man he will like her all the
more and will not be afraid because of
her extravagant ideas to marry her be-
fore or after two years of courtship.
'T have a daughter of my own" the
suffragist said, land II young man
were attentive to her for any length of
time I should certainly ask him what his
Intentions were"