The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-03-16
KEEPING ABREAST n

IN NEWS article In the Huntington Dispatch
sI1AHerald calls attention to tho keen. interest
apparent in club circles concerning many Of the
problems now before Congress. The Huntington
club xemeniin meeting of their ciyics department,
tackled such questions as immigration law, the
bonus bill and the antl-lynchlng Law They, were
not afratdto express vigorous opinion even in the
face of popular opposition and from the report OF
the meeting, Huntington women are a wide awake
set and force to be rcckoned WITH in that they
have Intelligent conception OF the things they arc
discussing.
This Interest Is marking tho action OF other
clubs and 1t would be fine thing IL the ciylcs
department Of the local club would push Its aed to
the forefront Some clubs have been handling
political and legislative questions rather gingerlS.
and there is urgent appeal to keep the club out OF
politics. This is, II We may SO call It. a cowardlJ
attitude and one not worthy Of Club women. It Is
like the old cry about politics and the pulpit Club
women, above all others; ought to have the widest
information about political questions, they should
have exhaustive knowledge OF the big issues of tho
day and they should have these issues presentd
from all angles without fear or favor There will
be, naturally, some women who will take very
unkindly any favorable advocatlon of party policy
other than their own, who will not listen to
opposing argument without becoming angry but
they will be found In the vast minority, for the
thinking, progressive woman OF today above all
other things, WANTS TO KNOW.
There can be no permanent lodging Of this fact
and the national club federation provides for IT In
the civic department OF club life. When such q
department is brought to the front by chairman
with lberality and common sense It will be ono Of
the biggest parts Of club life and lis meetings will
be filled with women seeking information. There
Is no reason under the sun why women cannot
differ politically and remain friends The club is
made up of women from every walk in life, women
whose intimate interests are as widely separated
as east from west, Catholic Protestant, Jew all
turn out to club meetings. and find the broad field
of club life interesting and enjoyable with no trace
of antagonism whatever.
The Ciyics Department Of the Huntington Club
may be tho scene Of some lively argument but,
from the news report, its meetings must be full OF
enthusiasm and interest and there are apparently
not enough women who Swear they will never
attend another meeting OF THAT department" to
cut down, the attendance noticeably. v
Falrmont ought to try 1t out next year anyway
OF course II the local women are not big enough 1t
will not succeed, but there will be; NO question
about that once 1t is started II single meeting
were to be called now, with open discussion OF THO
bonus bill, immigration laws; and the antEynchIrg
BILL also discussion Of tho recent budget bill OF
Congress, and our trade relations with the Orient,
all Of which were brought up in the Huntington
meeting, there would be record attendance Of club
women hungry for information.