The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-16
McGinnis Pure Complexion Bill
Known Over Country.
Every City and Town in q. 8.
Has Heard of Measure.
WOMEN ARE UP IN ARMS
Flood Newspapers With Ideas
ON Anti.POwder Bill.
And It Was Only introduced as
a JOke-Sad!

OF the more than 1900 bills before
the Kansas legislature this winter. but
one measure has become famous
That is the McGinnis pure complexion
bill. In every city and town In the
United States the local society bellies
know of Representative McGinnis and
beauty Matters Of less public con-
cern than the McGinnis bill have been
told in verse and set to music.
Each day McGinnis draws a basket
full OF mail. Nearly all Of the letters
have something to say about his freak
bill, which would assess q fine for the
wearing Of paint, powder. cosmetics,
ear hobs and other beautifiers. None
of McGinnis' correspondents have q
personal acquaintance with the author
Of the bill. And Dr. McGinnis frankly
states that he has no genuine desire
to met his correspondents.
Newspapers Eat 1t Up.
The McGinnis mail box is but one
indication of the interest In the
Greeley county mans bill. Every
discussed the proposed enactment.
Hundreds of women have put their
sentiments in printable words and told
the public just what they thought OF
Mr.. notwithstanding the columns OF
the public press. Each day since the
introduction Of the bill a Kansas City
publication has carried from one to
six communications from irate female
subscribers concerning the tntQultles
of the McGinnis bill in particular and
the fanaticism Of the Kansas legisla
ture in particular. The St LOUIS chi
caRo, Philadelphia and New York
papers have devoted columns OF space
to q discussion Of the bill.
One member Of the Kansas legisla-
ture spent Sunday in Kansas City. He
was q guest at Sunday dinner party
and met a dozen or more society
women,
II thought would be mobbed."
said the Kansas lawmaker in telling
Of his experiences. Those women
flatly refused to discuss any subject
but that pure complexion bill. ex-
planned that I wasn't responsible Tor
1t and would probably vote against it
IL It came up for consideration. But
It did no good. They insisted on tell
ing me what they thought of our leg
islature and threatened to petition for
a bill prohibiting men from shaving
or enjoying the luxury of hair cut
or massage il that bill was passed.
"Where Is That Manu-
Hundreds of women who have visited
the legislative halls, have asked the
pages and house employees to please
McGinnis sat through the long days
second aisle from the south, second
seat from rear-under the scOrnful
gaze of fair womanhood.
II just want to tell you what
think" one woman began, as she step
ped up to McGinnis without the for
mality of an introduction. THAT
abominable bill"
But DR.. McGinnis saw an open door
to the cloak room and fled.
That's just one of them," said the
Tribune, Kansas. doctor, who smiled
and was inclined to see the humor of
the situation. Il get them every day.
Maybe 1 should say every hour of the
day."
A st. Louis paper devoted two col
umns to terse expressions of St.
Louisans concerning the McGinnis bill.
Considering the fact that a st. Louis
society star would not be compelled to
live under the provisions of the bill.
the town took the matter rather
seriously. DR.. Paul r. Fletcher.
member of the st. Louis city council,
shot-dead.
Face Firing Squad.
Take him out and let a firing squad
of suffra gettes shoot him at SUNRISE"
said DIR. Fletcher. why, what in the
world is the matter with those moss
backed old snails up in Kansas any,
how? Let the women use paint and
powder and perfume. 1t adds to the
beauty Of womanhood and to the gen.
eral worth-while-living reasons of the
world.''
The McGinnis bill il in the hands
of the public health and hygiene COM
mittee. The bin has not as yet been
considered.
I'VE planned to discuss the bill Mon
day afternoon" said Chairman AL
drich. but the author was not ready
for a hearing"
Hundreds of women have asked for
seats when the bin is considered on the
moor of the house-if 1t Is considered
If the measure Is reported for passage
it will doubtless be made a special
order for a night session and provi-
sion made for extra seating capacity
for women who are anxious to hear
the debate.
DR.. McGinnis, who introduced the
bill. is physician in Tribune. Gree
ley county. He is married and de-
clares that Mrs. McGinnis is in favo,
of his bill.
HUMANITY IN BUSINESS