The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-17
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
FREDERIC j. HAsKEN, Director.
Washington, d. G.
SHALL WOMEN SMOKE?

SHALL WOMEN SNOhE!
Washington, D. c.. Feb. 14.-what
may prove to be the first battle in the
war against the use of tobacco in the
United States-particularly as applied
to women-has just been waged here
in the newly organized Women's City
club.
More than two thousand representa-
tive women of the National Capital
belong TO this club, the membership
list including wives of cabinet mem
bers, women of congressional circles,
and prominent professional and society
women. The club is housed in a beau
tiful residence overlooking Lafayette
Square, just across from the White
House. Al one time during repairs on
the executive mansion. the present
club was the temporary home of for
mer President Roosevelt and his
family.
Immediately upon the opening of
the club house in November. pressure
was brought to bear upon the board of
directors for permission. not only for
the masculine guests of the club to
smoke, but for the members them
selves to enjoy this privilege. 1t was
suggested that a smoking room be
furnished where members OF the club
and their feminine friends could in
dulge themselves with a puff at their
favorite flag.
In response to the demand the board
gave directions for the furnishing of
syllable quarters for the smokers,
d designating a large front room on the
third floor as the prospective smoking
room. The furnishings were purchased
and a notice posted on the club bull
letin board to the effect that in ac-
cordance with the wishes of the men,
IL.
opened within a short time. The no
tice was observed by members who
gasped and exclaimed then the
battle was on.
Outrageous" declared Mrs. Emma
S. Shelton, president of the District of
Columbia Women's Christian Temper
ance union.' 81 am simply amazed that
they even contemplated such a thing.
shall certainly oppose the move"
IT'S unwomanly." declared Mrs.
Court F. Wood, former president of
the District of Columbia Federation of
Women's clubs. Smoking is to be
recommended neither for its cleanli
ness, nor it's thriftiness. l am sure
the majority of the members viii OPP
pose it,"
II believe in letting women do as
they please" was the retort of the OPP
position, voiced by Mrs. Nina c. Van
Wrinkle, head of the woman's bureau
of the District of Columbia police de-
partment, and prominent in social
work among women. "If they want
to smoker let 'em. I do not, but it is
because 1 don't like to do it,
eff this club is going to be either a
kindergarten or Sunday school, 1
shall send in my resignation" de-
clared other members, who were dew
otees of the weed.
For two months the argument be-
tween the opposing factions waxed
hnF Nd hn m
board of directors decided to put the
matter to a vote, setting an early date
in January for the decision. This
meeting was wen attended. Friends
and enemies of My Lady Nicotine
turned out in full force There were
a final decision was postponed until
another meeting in February.
At the February meeting the
smokers won, and the board of di-
rectors were instructed to complete
the preparation for the smoking room.
pute in favor of the smokers, the
other side declared the war was not
over. Mrs. Theodore Moore. vice
president Of the w. c. T. u, limited
that the matter might eliminate in
nationwide campaign on the part of
her organization to abolish the cigaret.
The time is not ripe as yet" she said
ominously, "but-"
| Possibly this incident will precipi-
tate the long Threatened fight-to-the
finish between the anti-tobacco forces
of the country and the tobacco inter
ests. Alarmed by the reports Of the
| growth of the habit among young
girls, the Methodist Episcopal board
| Of Temperance has already fired the
opening shot, particularly stresslng
the injurious effects of the habit on
| the health of women. They deplore
the habit as a phase of the present
day feminism that claims for women
every privilege enjoyed by men. Con-
| corning the justice of this demand
| there can be no question. Concerning
| its expediency, much can be said
Women as rule, they claim, owing
| to their more sedentary life.' yield to
| the habit with far greater abandon
| than men, and the woman who en-
joys her cigaret can hardly endure
being separated from it for any length
| of time.
The question of smoking in the
| Woman's City club is brought into the
argument. These women, they point
| out. were accustomed to smoking in
| their own homes. and could not spend
| even a few hours away from that
home without their tobacco, while a
man, even a regular smoker, can. and
frequently does. go for hours without