Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-16

wounded and nursing the sick, partly by
carrying Oh the industries which the men
left stranded when they went trooping to
the colors. Indeed, we do not hear much of
the demand for suffrage or equal rights
from the "other side" these days. but the
cry for woman's freedom is not stlled-it
has been only temporarily hushed by the
greater appeal OF national needs.
But wait until peace is declared! Then
the cry OF women will rise again. and In a
manner not TO be denied
For women have proved themselves
within the past eighteen months. While
they have not organized companies to fight
In the battlef1elds OF Europe they have gone
down into the trenches and taken the
baptism OF fire as bravely and fearlessly
as the men-and that too. not to kill. but
for the nobler purpose OF caring for the
wounded and closing the eyes OF the dying
But to what degree will the war effect
the intimate life OF women? IL they will
gain the victory Of absolute freedom and
equality, will all women wear trousers and
become masculine? No. Just as the leopard
Is not going to change his spots. neither
will woman alter in any OF her essential
characteristics.
The one great absorbing passion OF every
woman's heart ingrained by centuries OF
thought. is TO make herself more beautiful
1t Is for clothes. Wherever two or three
are gathered together the conversation al.
ways reverts to the fascinating topic OF
dress. Clothes. mind YOU are woman's
means of expressing her individuality, and
therefore. are and should be a subject OF
closest thought and interest
The slavery OF the skirt! Women have
not enjoyed the slavery that the skirt sym
bolizes. nor have they enjoyed having their
limbs hampered and their freedom OF move.
ment interfered with any more than the
men would. What evils is the skirt not
responsible for!
II woman is in hurry the skirt i'm.
pedes her movement and makes her trip
and fall. Why. then. you ask. have women
worn the hobble skirt? Because for years
women have taken anything Partisan dress
makers have designed for them Here.
after women will be free Of the tyranny OF
dressmakers. They have not liked the hob.
BILE skirt. 1t is as absurd, as extremely un.
becoming as that relic OF bygone days
also designed to conceal-the hoopskirt
There Is no reason why a business woman
or a woman employed in other pursuits
should cramp herself by skirt.
Would not a stenographer be more efficient
In trousers? All employees OF offices gain
in efficiency as their movements are free.
A stenographer would undoubtedly be more
efficient in trousers than In a narrow dress
Moreover. in the rush hours before and
after work she could make her way TO the
trolley car or subway station more easily
and quickly. Women are hampered and
hindered on the streets OF great cities by
their clothes. In fact. would it not be bet
ter II skirts were worn only in the house
and all women adopted a utilitarian attire
for walking?
We are entering a sanitary age But
Just as medical science Is endeavoring to
conquer disease women should lend their
aid The skirt Is a prolific source OF
spreading contaglon. The streets are GOV.
cred with horrible germs and women wear.
Ing skirts pick these up and drag them
with them. They carry fatal maladies into
their homes. We cannot estimate the
amount OF sickness. distress and number OF
deaths caused by the baleful skirt II
women realized to what they endanger their
children and loved ones none would wear