The Washington times., 1919-08-24

REVOLUTIONARY reform IN the
n life Of Paris, a reform that is
4 = mainly economic and yet deeply
affects the moral domain, is promised.
The famous "mannequins," those chic
and shapely girls who display the wares of
Partisan dressmakers on their backs, are
to be replaced by lifelike automatic
figures.
The concern which is designing these
new figures for the use Of Partisan busi-
ness is putting out two types Of models.
l. Mechanical figures that move natur-
ally and gracefully around the room, with
a few simple movements. displaying
dresses, hats and other wearing apparel as
effectively Git is alleged) as living models
could do.
2 LifeliEe articulated figures that can
be placed in any pose. but win not move.
Everybody who knows anything about
Paris or has ever heard of the place will
admit that this reform is a revolutionary
one. For many years-in fact, ever since
Paris acquired her international position
as leader of fashions-the "mannequins"
have been one Of the most typical and
attractive features of the gay capital The
word "mannequin" originally meant lay
figure used by artists and then came to be
applied to the living models through COM
mercial usage. Now, curious to say, it
may denote an inanimate figure in busi-
ness circles again.
A large proportion of the saucy little
stories of Partisan life centre about an
attractive mannequin Without them that
life, it seems, would lose much of its dis
tinctive character would become "de-
natured," we. should say.
The prettiest and most beautifully
formed among the working girls of Paris
have always aspired to become name
quins. The typical Partisan manabOut-
town and the gay French nobIeman are
believed to feel a great interest in the
mannequins. These living adjuncts Of
fashion are perhaps as much an attraction
@ the ornaments Of the vaudeville stage.
Even the staid Partisan business man is
supposed to accompany his wife cheerfully
to the dressmakers because Of the oppor-
+unity it affords him TO inspect the manne-
Quin at her duties. Sometimes, too. he has
occasion to drop in not accompanied by his
wife.
But Paris is not SO entirely devoted to
gayety as we conventionally assume.
Taken as a mass the women of France
are probably the most high-minded in
dustrious and well-conducted people in the
world. It is a source Of regret TO these
Frenchwomen, and TO many FTenchmen
also, that a large class of girls should be
employed I'm a somewhat dangerous Occu-
patton and should be the subject of Jest
all over the civilized world
Moreover, since the awful destruction Of
human beings by the war il has become
more than ever necessary that every per
son should be engaged in some useful pro-
ductive occupation. Therefore, the reform
ers argue, the replacement Of the live
manneqUins by automatic figures will re-
move a great class Of girls from a more
or less demOraliZing occupation and set
them at liberty to follow a more useful
and productive one.
The released mannequins may go to
work in factory or farm, or, better STILL
they may stay at home and raise the fam
lilies of which France is so greatly in need.
But many doubts must arise with re-
gard to the success Of the proposed re-
form. Will the manneqUins willingly 90
back to the life Of drudgery or domesticity
which is recommended for them? Will
they not rather seek some more deploTable
calling If their former attractive Occupa-
tion is closed to them?
The most serious doubt of all, however,
must arise from the attitude of business.
Will the wealthy capitalists engaged in
producing the finest quality Of dresses and