The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-06
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM ALTON
BUREAU
FREDERIC J. HASKIS. DirSCter.
wasainEto1. D. G
BUSINESS WOMEN ORGANIZE.

BUSINESS WOMEN ORGANIZE.
Washington, d. c., Aug. 3.-That
women are preparing to reap their
| share OF the proceeds of our new
world democracy, Is evidenced by
their recent establishment of a Wo-
mans Chamber of Commerce, with
national headquarters In Washington
and branches in most Of our large
cities. They have even opened one
in China, and South America is soon
to boast several of them.
Schools of craftsmanship, with spe-
cial courses in Spanish, French and
possibly Chinese, are to be opened by
the New York Woman's Chamber OIL
Commerce in the fall, with view to
training a whole army of women trade
experts to be placed in foreign trade
fields. Thess classes will be open TO
any women who displays any special
aptitude for business. She need not
be a college graduate. Heretofore,
many well-trained and talented wom-
en- have been excluded from good
positions thru the stipulation that all
applicants must possess university d.
plomas. The Woman's Chamber, OF
Commerce thinks this is unfair and
is going to attempt to put an end
, to II.
In fact. the Woman's Chamber of
Commerce, IL enabled to carry out its
program, is going to change great
many practices now In vogue with re-
gard to the employment of women 1t
has been waiting patiently for the
proper time to stage its campaign, and
it believes that the time has arrived
that woman's hour has struck. Po-
litical equality is practically assured
Now the real battle for economic
equality has begun. But the women
are very indignant II you intimate
that thee is anything belligerent in
what they are going to do. They are
going to work hand in hand with the
men. amicably and peaceably follow
ing admiringly in their footsteps and
united in a common cause.-The pro-
motion of American business pros
perity. Incidentally, the organization
is especially interested in the promo
ton OF its own sex. 1t stands for the
encouragement of humanitarian eff
fort in promoting the bests interests of
womanhood in the United States and
other countries which means. among
other things. the entrance of women
into all occupatioAal pursuits-field,
factory, forum, home, hospital. labor
atory. mining. surveying, aviation.
school. store, shop, social center and
institution, court. club, studio and
pulpit.
The woman's chamber of commerce
is the latest and most significant
manifestation of the feminist move
ment. It shows that women have at
ness is the controlling element in the
world today-that the production of
goods is an enterprise in which they
legitimately figure and in which they
should therefore be expected to be as
competent as are men. Women can
support themselves comfortably by
producing almost anything from ten
penny nails to novels, and they intend
to do it, at the same time not denying
to their sisters the right to be sup
ported by mere men while they are
bringing splendid, healthy children
into the world. For centuries it has
been commonly accepted that children
were women's chief interest in life.
Thus it happens" said the young
feminist. as she played with a heavy
paper-weight which was holding down
a pile of bills of lading on her desk,
that more and more women are going
into business, not with the idea of
meeting a possible future husband,
but to stay in business and make
money in 1t. 1t is useless to pretend
that this will not change the old or
der of things, but there is every rea-
son to believe that the new order will
be better
The scope of the wonan's chamber
Of commerce is extremely broad. It
embraces not only the economic well
fare of women, but their physical and
spiritual welfare as well. In some of
the chambers, reading rooms have al
ready been estal lished, containing
books. magazines, newspapers, bulle-
tins, pamphlets. leaflets, charts and
maps dealing with current events and
with subjects of special interest to
women. The organization has also
created a committee to survey exist
Ing educational opportunities for
women, and to encourage night
schools. afternoon study sessions. work
interval classes. vocational training
arts and crafts instruction, high school
study and university extension.
Moreover, the chamber places great
emphasis upon health. Health talks
for women have been held in many
cities, and plans are being formulated
for the maintenance of athletic clubs
and gymnasiums in connection with
the various local headquarters, as well
as clinics where women will be cared
for by efficient women doctors. Con-
ditions surrounding Industrial work.
ers will be investigated and reported
upon, while everything will be done to
stimulate recreational pursuits among
women such as boating. swimming,
skating, golfing. tennis and garden
ing. In towns of limited recreational
opportunities. the local chamber will
endeavor to secure the cooperation of
the mems chamber of commerce in
establishing new ones.
'fWomen's chief lack at present, is
organization" declared a member of
the Woman's Chamber of Commerce,
the other day Business men are
highly organized, and so are men in
dustrial workers. They get a great
deal of fun out OF it. They are always
giving banquets. dances and social af-
fairs, and their clubs are numerous.
They never have any difficulty in as
sembling a convention or any kind of
meeting to discuss their problems
Their social life is broad. Women
are only beginning to realize the value
of organization, much less achieve it.
So are going to do all we can to lead
them up to it by means of community
affairs-musicals, community sings
clubs, amateur theatricals, and civic
clubs"
At the present time very few mems
organizations admit women engaged in
the same business or profession. 1t is
only recently. for example that va
/ rinrs bar assnciatin ,a-.-i4Aa.a