Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-10


grammatical. At least. as printed in
the. metropolitan press. they read:
Make he or she put their right hand
over their head and left hand over their
Heert. Apart from the curious Eng
Nah, the by law here set forth suggests
z rather difficult and ungraceful con-
tortion.
1t seems that the promoters regard
che ordinary processes of introduction
too slow and desire that boys and girls
may get up an acquaintance by wearing
badge and giving a high sign. The
investigators insist that among high
'echool students, 'petting parties have
resulted from the Shifter limitations.
From all accounts of the doings Of
modern youth, it does not require any
secret society or initiation for these TO
occur!
Nov, this may be an obnoxioss
~ scheme. or it may be compara-
ttvely innocent one. 1t may have its
root in the loneliness of young pco-
pie In great cities. and the imputicnce
Of youth to find companionship when
y does not belong to the fortunate
opportunities are offered by country
clubs, handsome homes, entertainments,
motor trips and all the delights of the
gay and care free.
lnnumerable times have accentu-
ated the fact that in modern life mil
lions of human beings are crowded into
cheerless tenements, packed in like sar-
dimes, yet totally unacquaintcd. We
have lainented that youth is defraudcd
OF its happy times and that wooing Is
Q past art. We have told of the lonely
and unsophisticated men and women
who patronize matrimonial bureaus and
actually advertise in the daily papers
for wives or husbands.
There is no denying that 60 betweens
are needed TO introduce young people,
amid suitable surroundings, and even
churches and social settlements have
attempted this delicate task. If the
new secret order were an honest effort
TO solve the problem of metropolitan
loneliness, it might command respect.
DUT a few of the sentences leave
~ q rather bad taste in the mouth
as: "Are you a Shifter: If not. why
not be wise" And, again, "Be 6
good fellow. Get something for moth
ipsi, fI,tor,un,to,v .b. nh r,.. "es
good fellow" usually means to be some
thing of sport, which is not Il yer!
high ideal for the young girl or boy
and to 'get wise usually implies I
degree of sophlstication that is not de
eiruhle. Above all, the concept Of get
ting something for nothing is one o
the most pernicious ones possible, ant
one that may be regarded as rather pc
culiarly a modern vice.
To graft. to sponge. to get what 20,
do not earn or deserve; to do you
fellow man, and do him first, i
q shocking action, and one that attain
!, full flower in an ultra commercial age
VIYE HAVE not investigated thi
y w silly little society, and we woul
not devote thoughts TO !ts goodness o
badness were it not a sign of the times
Fraternity is good and loneliness
7 unfortunate, but surely the idea Of sc
eretly banding together for what seem
10 be promiscuous f1irtations is a dan
eercus and unwholesome scheme.
fts Mature persons are selfish an
thoughtless almost universally. The
have found their fate usual y al
married and have taken up the impcr
4 Oonal Interests. forgetting their ten
Y pestuous youth and the storm and
stress" period. in which they them
selves longed ardrntly for excitemei
and adventure. II older people wou
Try to ''help on the legitimate mce'
ing and happy comradeship and even
usl love of youthful ones. need wou
be fulfilled, without such dubious e.
Il forts as 'Shifters' societies.