New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-15


accomplish things by means OF other
men. Women cannot hope, certainty d.
present. 10 do these things BY means Oh
other women. nor, for that matter, oy
means Of men. IL is we'll known TACT
that boys almost invariably prefer men
as teachers rather than women. Not
that women are not capable and effieiens
teachers, but the elemental instinct IN
the bov recognizes in general the lack
If mutual understanding both IN his
own case and that Of the teacher IL
does not alter the truth Of this state
ment to say that there have been wom-
en- leaders OF men. and that MARTA
Theresas and Joan of Arcs are not uh-
known in modern life. But such leader
ship is due largely to the spell OF mag
ination and sentiment, for no amount
of daily contact in a workaday woriu
between men and women can ever de-
stroy that charm of sex which in itseit
must ever remain an nsuperable barrier
"a complete understanding between the
sexes.
OF the two classes into whom women
workers may be divided broadly, the
drst-those to whom earning their own
living is a temporary expediency pend
ing marriage always present the
more difficult problem. Their labor un-
like that of large part OF their men
co-workers, who spend their lie In
rut, eking out an existence, presents
the handicap of lack of continuity
and permanence Such condition seems
an economic barrier to the question OF
higher wages and advancement when
,ense of permanence naturally conveys
business Life Broadens Outlook.
The question of sex likewise operates
70 insure them by regulatory laws IN
spired by public sentiment con-
siderateness of treatment both as 70
length Of hours, stress and disagree
ableness Of labor. AT the same ti"e
these very facts operate by the natural
law Of compensation to prevent them
getting that full reward which Is ac'
corded TO men, from whom everything
"a sxnected in return. There does not
.oom anv reason to apprehend that the
general presence of women VIII IN any
material way alter the general si'us-
ton. If they introduce new social prop
lens. they gradually add at the same
time a new and better influence. lhey
lend themselves quite as readily as men
70 the matter of labor organizations
and with even more devotion, feeling
and loyalty. Unconsciously, their WORK
ing experience broadens their outlooN
nm life and breaks down those CONNECT
ing ancient superstitions that woman
either is a superior being, TO be set
upon a pedestal, or else mans mere
toy.
In truth. none of the former Cas-
sandra-like prophecies of woe nave
come 10 pass. Women have not by their
;rvasion of industrial life made 1t more
difficult for men to earn living IL
has been largely case of readlus'-
ment. Some employments, such as ste-
nographers, clerks in department.
stores, telephone operators and the
like. have largely been absorbed by
women. Men formerly in these pur-
suits have found new employment IN
other vacations, or the fast growing
needs of such lines has taken care OF
the equally fast growing supply. what
seems likely now is that the problem
will work out it's own solution by each
sex gradually adjusting itself to the
employment it is best fitted for
University Woman Ambitious.
The outlook for that more ambitious
part of womankind, those to whom IN
dustrial life is a permanent pursuit, IS
more interesting and more complicated
The number of such participants grows
both proportionally and actually with
the increasing facilities for womans
HIGHER education. The university
woman is apt to have implanted IN her
n thirst for achievement and desire
IN share in the chances and opportuni
ties of mans world. We have seen
with some concern and much surprise
that we cannot as yet venture to set
limit upon her possibilities. 1t is true
that the ever present question OF mar
riage complicates her problem, as in
the case of her less ambitious sisters,
/ though not to the same extent. Among
such women there are many who, haV'
ing once participated in actual business
life. will never again, even in mar
riage be content with the mere hum
drum of domestic life. This creates
another deep social problem. which we
are vainly endeayoring to evade, which
is that the ambitious and capable
women in married life demand some
outside interest or occupation, for the
reason expressed by modern novelist
that they are more than just wives. as
their husbands are more than just hus-
bands.
The first observation about those
women to whom participation in indus
trial life was permanent and serious
matter was that they were content TO
occupy certain positions that afforded
/ them living, with no ambition for
further advancement. This is true now