The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-04
Necessary to Protect Girls,
Some Say, Others Think Or
ganizers Notoriety Seekers
GAS sHElk DANGEROUS
Kidnapping Scarce in City, But
Night Rides a Menace to
Morals of Girls Away From
] Home, Is Said.
By RTLLA ENGLE.


Special Representative Universal Service.
Is the average girl capable Of
protecting herself against Fir.
*atious males? Or does she need
che cooperation and backing Of
her sister sufferers to meet the
problem?
Feminine washington Is busy
arguing the question. An organised
extensive against curostone loafers
and motorists with too hospitable
tnclinations has been launched by
IN association OF young women and
girls known as the Anti-F'lirt Club.
and the week, beginning March 4
has been designated "Anti-F1irt
Week" in their campaign.
The club has asked the co-opera.
fion Of the clubwomen and women's
organizations Of the city in their
campaign. Buttons bearing the
slogan "Anti-flirt Week" are TO be
distributed. and sympathiSers are
asked 70 decorate themselves with
the tiny emblems.
And there's the ruD.
CALLED NOTORTETY SEEKERS.
"BahP argue certain nationally
prominent cltibwomen, 'Noturiety
seekers. Such problems are best
taken care Of by the Individual
':Nonsenser' retort other equally
prominent leaders In women's &C.
fivitfes. TN union there is strength.
Everyone knows how much unions
have accomplished. Here's luck to
ahesn."
washington IL just the place to
hart such . movement among
women, Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton,
UhatrmaT Of the women's division
faiktee. says. Mrs. Upton believes
the National Capital to be q par
tiouIarIy unsafe place for young
and foolish girls
They need the help Of their
wiser sisters" she declared, add.
ING: Such an organization could
% o great deal OF good IN prevent
Ing idle and silly young creatures
from making idiots Of themselves.
The motor flirt IL especially per.
niclous In washington. The city
has an abundance Of silly young
things away from home who are
looking for adventure. Not bad,
but just silly and confident of
their ability to take care Of them
selves. They fall easy victims ito
invitations to take q little spin,'
end there are always plenty of in
Nitafions'
Mrs. Upton believes from her oh
wervations that young girls are in
les danger in Washington from be-
ing forcibly kidnapped than In other
and larger cities. But the casual
invitation for just q little ride,
she feels, is just as dangerous.
The idea Of girls organizing TO
protect themselves and each other
a. new" she says. But then.
And IL is obvious to me that twenty
or thirty girls working toward one
end can accomplish more than that
same twenty or thirty working
individually"
On the other side OF the political
fence Mrs Emily Newell Blair,
resident conmitteewoman OF the
Democratic National Party, Is not
20 sure of the wisdom Of the
scheme.
MAKE STREETS SAFE.
Though" she adds, something
ought to be done to make the
streets Of the National Capital safe
for young girls"
Mrs. Blair believes the average
girl is quite sufficient in herself
70 settle imorudent strangers OF the
stronger sex.
But If She isn't capable OF tax.
ing care Of herself, probably some
such organization might do good.
''If she IL SO attractive" land
Mre. Blair's black eyes twinkled,)
''that she needs protection, certain.
~ she ought to have it."
Petite and pretty and as young
looking as her own daughter, Mrs.
Blair said modestly that she was
not competent Judge, as she had
not been annoyed by Washers"
herself, in Washington. The city
In particularly lucky, she thinks,
In the attitude of men toward WON.
en-.
The organization and campaign,
Mrs. Blair thinks, is. an indication
of the new age. Years ago, she
says, eligible males had to band to.
gether to protect themselves against
matchmaking mammas and their
daughters.
Now" she points out, 1--WE see
the girls organizing to protect them.
selves from the men. Certainly a
difference significant to the observ.
ing"