The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-22
ARE WOMEN SELFISHi
Observations On, Above and Under
the Earth's Surface.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Str: There
are many little incidents which occur
in everyday life which often make me
think that women are more selfish than
men. 1t may be that these are Isolated
cases that l take notice OF and there
fore ! am wrong to judge women as
"a class by these cases, but the fact
remains that If one keeps his eyes epen
and notices the little things that tAke
place around him he cannot but be inn
pressed with the fact that very few
women of the present day are above
appropriating more than Is rightfully
coming to them.
Fake the following incident az an ex-
ample to Illustrate the point An ele-
waited express train discharged the re-
malnder OF its passengers at the ter
ininal station at 155th street. A num-
bvr OF persons allghted and turned their
steps In the direction of the stairway
that leads to the viaduct above the ele-
waited structure. This stairway is the
only means Of reaching the viaduct
and Is used by those who wish to con-
tinuc their journey on foot along Wash
ington Heights. and also by those who
wish to board trolley cars running into
The Bronx.
ON this particular evening two women
leading two children were ascending the
stairs. Owing to tho fact that the
children were unable to climb at any
thing but a very slow pace. a dozen
or more persons IN the rear were held
back because the women permitted
themselves and their charges to stretch
across the stairway In a line, completely
blocking 1t.
At last one woman said to the other,
"One side. please" The second woman,
much against her will. condescended to
move TO one side. permitting soIne OF
the persons in the rear 10 squeeze by
between herself and the guard rail. Then
TO show her disposition. the second
woman remarked tartly Well. We have
to climb up too. What do | care about
these people2 II they can't get past let
them wait they are no better thar we
are"
The selfish spirit of women 10 shown
In tho surface cars. In the elevated and
subway cars. and In practically every
vehicle used for transportation
How often do we see two women
enter . car in which all the seats are
occupied. A gentleman notices the
women are standing and he Arises and
offers his seat to one of them Tho
woman accepts. OF course, ats down
and Notwithstanding the fact tha there
really Is only for n n imme-
diately sets to work and by subtle
methods succeeds In making room for
her companion. This In spite Of the
fact that she is making II uncomfortable
for those around her. who are entitled
TO comfort by reason OF priority. Fur
thermore. this does not always apply
to times when men are the persons
made uncomfortable. for more often
women are the persons occupying the
seats next TO the selfish one.
At the baseball grounds ono sees women
sitting In the choicest seats. their heads
covered with remarkable structures OF
straw, ribbons and feathers, which ef-
fectively shut of all view of the game
for those unfortunate enough to be
seated behind the wearers Of the tower
ing headgear. In only a few cases are
the wome generous nough TO remove
their hats to accommodate the man
behind. Perhaps ! am q observing
or too sensitive. but II seems to me
that no wonen sporting these hats
do an unusual amount OF moving the
head about, adding to the mtser able
ness Of those In the rear.
WILLIAM Lso.
NEW Yoax, June 10.