The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-25

The March Towdrd Perfection.

Washington. D. C.. March o.
Reform legislation Of ths greatest
importance Is forecast b. friends
OF the reform movement here ut the
coming session Of congress. Plans
are being laid for . comprehensive
reform program The reform
forces are more than elated over
their success with the enforcement
d the prohibition amendment, and
with the widespread attention
which the blue law movement il
attracting. After these frfampbs 1t
Il natural that they should march
onward toward fresh achievement
in the perfecting Of human nature
by legislative enactment.
It may be stated On high but con-
fidential authority that what 10 de-
sired by many of the leaders 10 the
reform movement ID Q department.
Of public morals with . cqbinet Of
ficer at it's head, which would have
charge Of the enforcement Of pro-
hibition, blue Sunday legislation
and all Of the other laAs against
moral laxity and seif-indulgence
which the reformeYs expect to
have passed in the near future. It
is pointed out that such . depart
Fment would be- . logical part Of
the American government, which
was founded by the Puritans and
which has always been famous for
its moral ideelism. One hundred
per cent Americanism, they say,
means 100 per cent morality, and
this latter can only be attained by
taking away fIom human nature
100 per cent of rs temptations. The
problem. therefore. 10 purely one of
making enough laws and getting
enough policemen to enforce them.
The censorship of motion pic
lures is one Of the first objects of
the reform movement. It derives
special importance from the OBJ
vious fact that if the right OF the
motion picture producers to pro-
duce what they please IL curtaiied,
a precedent. will have been estab-
lished which will make possible the
censorship of the press and all
other forms of human expression.
The importance of this for the
cause of morality can hardly be
overemphasized.
The banning of tobacco in all its
forms has long been under discus
sion in reform circles and it may
be predicted that more will be
heard OF it soon. State legislators
have led in the attack against to-
baeco by passing antf-cigaret laws,
and this is taken rs proof OF the
constitutionality and feasibility OF
such legislation.
Pull Down the Skirts.
Another matter which is expected
to come In for early and concen-
trated attention from the reforms
is that of immodest clothing for
women. The constant shortening
of the feminine skirt is only one
of several developments that are
viewed with alarm by those who
have the moral welfare of the ris-
| ing generation at heart. State
laws have already been passed or
proposed banning high heels and
rouge, and it 10 felt that these
furnish ample precedent for COM
prehensive legislation enforcing
feminine modesty and promoting
morality. The first objects Of the
reformers will be to keep voman'e
feet fat on the ground and her
skirts in the near vicinity of her
heels, or her shoe-tops at most
Some exceptions will be allowed
for girls engaged in athletic sports
but males of hubble age will be
kept away from the vicinity Of
such events, and those who are
compelled by circumstance to be
about will be supplied by the police
with binders.
Having pulled down the skirts a
foot or two and eliminated the
French heel, it is probable that the
energies of the reform movement
will be concentrated upon the femi.
nine waist line.
! The immodest display of body
curves can be eliminated. it is fell
by a return to Mother Hubbard
style of dress. This reform will be
followed by regulations Is to the
display Of necks and arms. in fact
the only part Of the female form
which reformefs of all cFeeds and