The broad ax., 1917-12-22
Chicago's Social Condition Today as
Compared with Twenty Two Years Ago
By JULIUS N. AvENDoRPH, Chicago

The social status of today as com
pared with social conditions twenty
two years agoi There is absolutely no
comparison. In fact, I doubt very much
whether any Of those who can recall the
social. conditions of twenty-five years
ago win live long enough to see a favor
able comparison, as there is a condition
existing in the social life of Chicago
today that can never be entirely elimi-
mated, thereby making a complete social
organization out of the question. Of
course, we must expect minor social
differences, but when they reach the
proportion they have today it becomes
a difficult proposition. hold, however,
that social contact is as essential in a
community as any other well regulated
institution; therefore, in order to get
the benefit as well as social enjoyment
out of social contact, all things must
be more or less equal, and in order to
equalize social conditions the moral
standard must be above reproach,
whereby without fear of attack or ex-
posure, exercise sufficient moral courage
to draw a tight line against all ques-
tiOnable characters or social imposters.
Doubtless someone will advance the
argument that time changes conditions,
while other persons might contend that
we ought to be broad, and at the same
time progressive. Granting that, never
theless, broadness nor progressiveness
regulate social life, which ought
to stand as a monument in every COM
munity. 1 have observed some things
within the last year or two that would
not be tolerated in social circles twenty
two years ago, and for that reason /
am going to touch on the ethical side of
social life, remindful of the fact, how
ever, that there are many exceptions.
Twenty-Five years ago the married and
single women stood above indiscreet
actions, such as have observed on the
ballroom floor. hold that it is decid-
edly unbecoming for a married woman
to accept the partnership of gentle
man for more than two dances during
the evening, and extremely vulgar for
either married or single women to dance
allowing either head or face to touch
that of their partner. While the man
is usually the guilty one, he is seldom
accused; that's why it is all the more
essential that our young women should
protect themselves against familiarity
on the part of men by being dignifed
at all times. A woman always draws
the applause and admiration of men
when she possesses dignity and modesty.
The very suggestion of social function
at midnight twenty-five
years ago, such as the one held last
New Years by a number of young
people who are socially connected,
would have met with a rebuff and all
severely criticised. Society
people do not by any means put a stamp
Of disapproval on anyone else on ac-
count of not being socially connected;
quite the contrary, as social contact
means moral uplift and social better
nent. The people who took an active
part in social life twenty-five years ago
had a social interest in each other, so
much so that when society put its ap
prevail on anything it meant a social
success, but everything with the word
society attached to it was not accepted;
therefore, you were not subjected to
Meeting people that you had no desire !
o know or to be associated with, which |
n most instances is the case today. The
is often advanced that lady |
an be lady anywhere or in any So