The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-29

i
 ((CULPHITEs" are scarce as hens
 teeth, but I found one yester- l N> yesterday plus when l met that i fearless thinker, renewed lecturer and 1 ardent student, who has devoted his life
 to a scientific study of human beings, Prof. Charles Zuebln, formerly of the l Chicago university, one-time editor of the Twentieth Century Ma agazine, presi- i dent of the American League of Civic l Improvement Q901-2), author of a num-
 Der of books and goodness knows what
 else that spells culture with capital | e." CT "k,"-of what you will-but at any rate, culture.
 1 I reminded him early in the game that Twas scared stiff'' of "high-brows." 7" 1 and begged that he talk to me about something I could understand and when he declared that the subject he'd like
 most to discuss was preparedness, . visions of Bryan and his two hours lecture all sorts of political things that I don't know a thing about, loomed prom inent in my mind, but when the dis tinguished gentleman added that ore paredness'' was only one of many, he listed, subjects, which included, suffrage, 1 "a setting free of men and woinen,' giv- 1 ing religion local color, teacnlng people | the art of enojying themselves, the cause of marital unrest and the handicap to woman's econ- | omic independence, and that 'T could pay
 my money and take my choice"-why 1 l immediately felt at ease with this charm | ing gentleman and I was ready Tor any i thing--or everything.
 l I felt sure as I talked to Professor Zue- l blin q believe he said he didn't like to l be called "professor," as he'd lost that 1 job; that the suffragists who were to be his auditors Tuesday evening had a rare | treat in store for the first thing that l he said concerning the movement, that "it moved, and that it had to keep on mov- | ing in order to stand still"
 | I know the suffragists liked their speak CT because of his fresh original views and his fine regard for women, and l l liked him because of his clear, honest, ] steel-gray eyes. which look out on the world with the wonderment of boy, and because he has such a keen sense of | humor and a queer indulgent sort of | smile (although you are not quite sure he 1 isn't looking fun at you) and because his we'll fitting clothes were gray, and his | tie smart one of some inconspicuous color that harmonized we'll with the rest
 of his makeup
 l Yes, l should say preparedness IS one | of the most important things that the
 country is interested in at present. Mir.
 Zueblin observed as I listened attentively to what he had to say.
 1 "But how does this affect women?' l asked
 "Quite as much as it does men, he answered promptly.
 1 "You mean in preparedness for the war game-or marriage" I suggested l facetiously," or maybe they are synony-
 mous.'
 Ignoring my fippancy, MT. Zueblin said seriously; ''any rapscallion can die for his 1 country but few know how to live for It. l This applies to women as well as men, l l am strongly in favor of prepared
 ness" not only for boys but for girls.
 I believe that settles the question that l you asked as to whether preparedness
 means for war or matrimony. Take the
 boys and girls who have finished their
 high school term; for year after that, 1, under federal jurisdiction, boys should {, go through years training for service ! to their country, while girls should go !, through the same. being taught nursing, i and other things that would be for the
 betterment of their country. The aver 1 age working girl enters upon her duties l 1 society mother protects her daughter from knowing anything; she gives her 1 to understand that her duty is to marry; get husband for herself and thus un-
 equipped both the working girl and the
 society girl enters life-totally unequipped
 for it's great demands
 l You know the reason there are SC many unhappy marriages?' ne sald veering around quickly to this i'm l pf
 l said didn't. but would like tc know.
 .It's because the men and womer l who might love each other never meet Mr. Zueblin said promptly. Men ane f women are so circumscribed In theil choice of mate that they frequentls 1 choose the wrong person. Now there 1 should be places where young people 1 could meet and really become acqualn. ] ed; as 1t is now, few married people know anything about each other befort their marriage; and then after the prs' interest wears off they begin to sec that they have made mistake. Ther' l ought to be chaperons (out in Los An | geles this condition already obtains in the schools or churches or where l ever they are held, who could act th' part of match makers as the uowagel in society does These sbould De ex' perienced in reading character, whe could bring together young people wht are fitted to each other. admit tha most men marry women Tor their beau ty and take pot luck on brains
 1 Another thing he said quickly, y advocate an interval of six months be- tween the time the marriage license is granted and the marriage ceremony performed; that would give the candi dates enough time to learn something
 of each others mind, character ane l tastes"
 Of course l had expected some thing
 unusual from this erudite man. ane