New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-20
Blu Arthur Gleason

scented sharply etched programme to blind
urge. Their programme is:
Votes for women.
Economic equality
An open field in the industrial world.
Those clear-cut demands give the move
ment a Conference, a cutting edge. But those
demands are not the woman's movement
They are merely the instruments with which
it can work it's will. When it has received
it's instruments it will then proceed to do its
work.
To change the figure, il is easy TO see the
portion Of the iceberg that is above the water
and vsiby heaving down upon our man
made, man favoring institutions. But seven
eighths of the mass below the surface, the
genius of the woman's movement lies deeply
submerged under surface revolt, economic
injustice and resentment at mans uncon-
scious scorn for the female mentality. The
genius of the woman's movement lies in the
mperious demands of her nature for worthy
expression. Industry, like the suffrage, is a
means by which she achieves her personal
freedom and equality. IL is spiritual con-
dition which she is seeking, not alone new
activity. Fame and money are not the SUI
preme incentives to her that they are to man.
For that reason her entrance into politics and
work offers the promise of humanized in
dustry and better state.
Nv own personal impression in the first
half-year Of the war was that the women
were quicker to get a start on than the men.
There was almost scramble on the part of
8
The women solved the problem of Belgian
refugees by taking them into their homes,
by organizing village colonies for them, by
finding them work. In those early months
| attended many dozens of recruiting meet
ings ] found that two of the most popular
speakers were Mrs. Drummond (the Gen
eral") and Mrs. Pankhurst, leaders of the
suffrage movement group of women saw
the war in its meaning to Great Britain, the
costlness of waging it, the immensely of the
effort which would have to be put forth
long before the general public opinion of
England was awakened.
The AdaptabiIity of Women
Women have revealed adaptability in their
war work. They have swung swiftly to meet
new conditions and solve unexpected situa-
tions. A good instance of the service they
have done England is that of their organi
cation of a police force. War conditions
had created certain perils to the COM
munity The absence of the father
away at the front is not benefit
to the children at home. Boys were run
ming wild and thievng. Other boys were
being overworked. Immense numbers of mer
on leave in great cities are menace to the
well-beng of exctable girls. War creates its
own atmosphere, and there were both loose
ness and tension-strange combination-in
the life Of a khaki-clad England. group
of women saw the peril and had a remedy
Led by Miss Allen and Miss Damer Dawson,
they formed the women police service in
August Of 1914. There were half dozen of
them The members have grown to three
hundred, and they are now serving not only
London but Grantham, Bath, Hull, Folkestone
Wimbledon and Richmond. Their duties are
patrolling, attendance at police courts, home
visiting, supervision of music halls, cinemas,
public dance halls and inspection Of lodging
houses. They take the deposition Of children
and women, watch the parks. stations and
docks, meet Belgian refugees. At certain
munition factories they keep the women's
gate, searching the women and permitting no
strangers to enter.
Their uniform is n blue military tunie,
divided skirt, riding breeches, riding bowlers
and top boots. The chiefs wear peaked caps.
Their Organization is ore Of chief officer, SUI