Pueblo chieftain., 1921-03-19
By Frederic J. Haskin.

Washington, d. c., March 1S.-Re-
form legislation of the greatest import
ance is forecast by friends of the re-
form movement here at the coming
session of congress. Plans are being
laid for comprehensive reform pro-
gram. The reform forces are more
than clated over their success with
the enfocement of the prohibition
amendment, and with tho widespread
attention which the blue law move
ment is attracting. After these tri-
umphs it is natural that they should
march onward toward fresh achieve
ment in the perfecting of human ma
ture by legislative enactment.
1t may be stated on high but con-
fidential authority that what is de-
sired by many fthe leaders in the
reform movement is Department of
Public Morals with Cabinet officer
at its head, which would have charge
OF the enforcement of prohibition, blue
Sunday legislation and all of tho other
laws against moral laxity and self
indulgence which the reformcrs expect
to have passed in the near future. It
is pointed out that such a department
woud be logical part Of the American
government, which was founded by the
Puritans and which has always been
famous for It's moral idealism. Ono
hundred per cent Amcricanism, they
say, means 100 per cent morality. and
this latter can only be attained by
taking away from human nature 100
per cent OF Its temptations. The prob
lem. therefore, is purely one of making
enough laws and getting enough
policemen to enforce them.
Tho censorship OF motion pictures Is
one of the first objects of the reform
movement 1t derives special Import
ance from tho obvious fact that II tho
right Of the motion picture producers
to produce what they please is cur
tailed, a precedent will have been cs-
tablishcd which will make possible the
censorship Of the press and all other
forms of human expression. The inn
portancc Of this for the cause of NOR
ality can hardly be overemphasizcd.
The banning of tobacco in all Its
forms has long been under discussion
In reform circles and 1t may be pre-
dicted that more will be heard OF II
soon. State legislators have led in the
attack against tobacco by passing
laws, and this is taken as
proof of the constitutionality and feas-
ibility of such legislation.
Foil Down the skirts
Another matter which is expected to
come in for carly and concentrated at
tention from the rcformers is that OF
immodcst clothing for women. The
constant shortening of the feminine
skirt is only one of several develop
mcnts that are viewed with alarm by
those who have the moral welfare of
the rising generation at heart. State
laws have already been passed or pro-
posed banning high heels and rouge,
and II is felt that these furnish ample
precedent for comprehensive legisla-
tion enforcing feminine modcsty and
promoting morality. The first objects
of the reformers will be to keep
IN apI
her skirts in the near vicinity of her
heels or her shoe-tops ut most. Some
exceptions will be allowed for girls
engaged in athletic sports. but males
OF nubile age will be kept away from
the vicinity OF such events. and those
who are compelled by circumstances to
be about will be supplied by the po-
lice with binders.
Having pulled down the skirts foot
or two and eliminated the French
heel. 1t is probable that the energies
of the reform movement Will be con-
centrated upon the fimininc waist line.
The immodest display OF body curves
can be eliminated, 1t is felt by a re-
turn to Mother Hubbard style OF dress.
This reform will be followed by rcgu-
latlons as to the display OF nccks and
arms. In fact. the only part of the
female form which reformcrs OF all
crecds and varieties can agree upon
inc puDliC 10 h't IL lIF lhtt.
There has even been some tentative
discussion about the advisability of
prescribing thick wells for street cos
tunes. The high standard OF morality
prevailing In Turkey where women are
not allowed to show even their faces
in public, has been cited as proof Of
the effectiveness OF such regulation.
on the whole, however. the liberal
element here prevails and 1t is prob
able that the American woman will
continue to be allowed the use OF her
eyes and complexion and lips Cfor ar
not osculation) in the pur-
suit OF a husband. She will probably
be deprived however. of such advcn-
titious aids as rouge and lip stick.
Anu-I<is-inH Campaign
This leads naturally to the matter
OF kissing, which has come in for much
thought and dcnunciation on the part
OF rcformcrs recently. 1t has been as
serted by many OF them that the prac-
ticc OF promiscuous kissing Is steadily
on the increase, and that a great
moral danger Is bound UP in this fact
unless something can be done 20 stop
1t. Disease as well AS immortality, is
among the results of this ncfarious
practice, the reforiners point out.
ronsilltis, measles, hiccups, cnccphali-
It's isgarthiCg, hay fever, acute pal
pltation of the diaphragm and chronic
discord are all caused or
aggravated by promIscuous and un-
-egulatcd osculation. 1t is felt that
With n strong Department OF Public