The Washington times., 1915-04-17
Economic independence
Means Greater Power to
Develop Group Happiness
Reader Comments On Manifestation of Married Women
To Make Life Easier For Famiy-Sees Fewer
Marriages, But Community Betterment.

~ HE desire for economic independ
ence on the part of Marie
i women is only another nantes
tation of a desire to develo
latent abilities and thus make lif
easier for the families, asserts a reade
Of The Times in a letter discussing
recent article by Mrs. Christine Fred
erick. The writer urges mothers to edu
cate their daughters to look forwar,
10 a business or a profession rathe
than to the ambition to catch a hus
band. She forsees fewer marriages ant
few divorces. but with it a growth o
personal responsibilities for women ant
community betterment.
Her letter follows:
To the Editor Of THE TIMES:
l was much interested in Mrs.
Christine Frederck's article i'm The
Times as to the economic independ-
ence of women. 1t is a topic which
is interesting, or should be so, to all
married women, and while 1 have
no solution of the economic condi-
tions existing in the married state,
/ would like to state some features
of the question which Mrs. Frederick
has not touched upon.
/ agree with her that a married
women should not expect to have
economic independence without as
Stunning its responsibilities, but l be-
lieve that a large per cent of our
married women are quite capable and
willing to assume this same RESPONSE
bility were they given the oppor-
tunity to develop their unused ca
pacities.
The men are not to blame for the
present conditions. and they are tied
down and handicapped by their fam
uynll rn hn
ever. they do have the spirit of inde-
pendence and realize that they are
of economic value in the community.
The wife who merely spends her
husbands money and by her own ef-
forts does not earn any. Is de-
pendent in every sense of the word.
She suffers in spirit only as she
realizes her condition. and II she is
sufficiently strong and determined
she will eventually fight for liberty,
not for personal liberty, but for tho
spirit of freedom which she will gain
through economic independence.
The Source of Friction.
When all. or nearly all. OF a hus-
bands wages are consumed in the
care and rearing of family. and
this is the only class Mrs. Frederick
discussed, there is much less fric-
ton and dissatisfaction as to eco
nOn11C Independence. IL Is "nSfl OTt
or both of the parties IN the married
state are thrifty and wish to lay by
q portion of their income for rainy
days, Investments. or for a Compe-
tence in old age that trouble arises.
] think Mrs. Frederick will agree
that the average husband, who.
through his own economy. or the
economy Of his wife, has been en-
abled to lay by money for invest
ment. will hold that he has the
right to invest as he sees fit the
Joint savings. And these husbands
are not irresponsible or selfish. They
are good mon who feel that they
are better qualified to handle the
money they have earned and have n
better right to do so than any one
else, and I agree with them. not as
to their qualifications but as to their
right.
However, as frequently entire saw
ings are swept away through foolish
investments. or bad judgment, the