Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-13
Jewett City. April F. 1917.
Women cominq Into Her Own.

MT. The answer the aIL1- sufragist of Hartford. by the lady from Putnam was a point well taken.
 There are two tremendous movements for freedom at the present tine-the labor movement and the woman move
 ment. The union of these two move mentS found expression in the fifth biennial convention of the Women's Trade Union League held in the city of New York during the month of
 June. fast That convention of rep reSentatives of wage-earning women was visible proof of the ability of wo-
 men to determine and manage their own affairs and to appreciate and as sumo responsibility members of so- ciety. Not only do they assume re- sponsibility, but they demand rights that go with responsibility. As re- suit of former conditions. traditions and customs, protection and support have been assumed for all women. This fiction was maintained even though women went out of their tory or store Some women have
 learned to break through stultifying tradition, to brush aside fiction and to recognize facts-they have learned erect be responsible for her own life and acts. give and accept justice, not special privilege. If women would be Gree they must achieve their own free dom. Wage-earning women have only begun to work out their own indus i trial freedom. The president of the Women Trade Union League said with truth, in her biennial address, there are now two great groups of exploit ed workers in the United States-irn- migrants and women But women have felt the thrill of the impulse that leads to freedom. in all walks of life they are demanding an equal voice in 1 determining those things which touch the common life. This impulse stimu-
 lstes protest against industrial ex- ploitation. Strong women who earn 1 their living in the struggle of the | world feel that this protection and | salvation lie in organization Women work in industry side by side with men Their relation to employers l contain no elements different from 1 those of mems relations. Industrial protection and industrial betterment differ from the problems of men. Eco 1 homie organization is the jawel of | hope. The discussions and addresses l at that convention indicate. that worn- | maintain industrial freedom and re- I sponsibility unless they also have po- l ltical freedom and responsibility. I Wherever opportunity and develop 1 and power are also restricted. As clear as the monday sun stands the l fact woman cannot assume equal 1 rights with free men in the indust- rial struggle while classified with idiots and derelicts in political affairs. | 1t is a matter of justice that working women demand the ballot They have 1 the right to participate in the deter mfnations of political affairs because | they are affected by those determine | tions. And the ballot can not long
 | be denied them. And the ballot will
 bring power. because it will bring full citizenship.
 | Industrial freedom must be fought
 out on the industrial field. And let me say it will come to pass when | wage-earning women hold in their | own hands, the right and the power
 to participate in determining the con- ditions under which they shall work
 | and the wages they shall receive. They can delegate this power and responsi- l bility to no outside authority if they I wish industrial freedom A long hard road to be sure. but if anything in life is worth while. it is the beautiful ideal of a rational individual order | ing his or her life in full acceptatien of the opportunities and the limita- | tions of freedom. Protection and reg ulation may offer immediate relief, but they are not freedom. Nor is indus