Evening star., 1926-04-18

American Congress of Journalists had progress
ed about two.thirds of the way through the
Government Printing ONCE. He had tramped
past row after row of young women doing all
sorts of work from stenography to binding.
Finally, turned to the writer. he exclaimed in
the most solemn tones: why, am amazed
at many women in business. Where
their fathers their brothers?"
I'm my country" he explained half
apologetically, 1T rs matter of pride for
father TO say that none of his daughters have
work. and for brother to boast that he
helps take care Of his sisters that they
might not he compelled to enter profession.
A compare lively small number do go out and
work. but only to help the family. And each
week those girls go home and give their entire
earnings to their mothers. The fact that they
helping take care of the family does not
minimize in the slightest the obedience and
respect they owe 10 their parents"
"Rut what about your social life, don't the
Young men and young women of South
America 60 out together. don't they form
Friendships. like we do the visitor asked.
'Oh, no. he replied. Under no circum-
stances does Young woman who thinks any
thing of herself ever go out meet
man in her own home unless some older
woman Of the family is not only present, hut
versation that takes place If A girl in Brazil
were to he seen alone with a man at any
time. she would he disgraced and the best girls
would have nothing to do with her. She
would lose caste.
"Well how In the world do you manage to
marry, them" the host nquired. amazed
"Oh. that is simple came the reply You
see every girl must have balcony to her
home. or vestibule at least. Perhaps
young man has seen some particular girl and
Immediately has thought that she is the most
beautiful and desirable creature in the world.
He may have seen her at the movies. at the
opera In the ballroom 1t is his first task
to learn where she lives. That done. it Is more
or less simple to see her.
The ardent young lover knows that the
girls go their balconies front steps at
some time of the day. If she thinks favorably
Of him. they get into conversation
There is never a suggestion of an engagement
to go some place-a date YOU say. The
girl dscreetly let's her parents know Of her
and they quietly look him M. II. after
q while. he still chershes her he tells her he
would like to meet her family and ask per
mission to marry her. Should she think
in and soon the betrothal arrangements
made
And that custom still prevails In South
America" the host asked incredulously. Why
here in the United States we thought those
were stories from fiction, or the ina gnations
OF some scenero writer's brain
''Oh, yes. they still prevail the visitor
tinued But, ] must admit. those things are
passing. We are changing. Already there is
tendency for women to take a larger part in
politics. And while few years ago a woman
upon marrying. would never have considered
not turning all of her estates over to her
husband. there some who prefer To
will permit. More and more. that
women are becoming like the Young
women of the United States.
For instance. few of young women
accepting secretaral positions and we are
learning that after all there is nothing to he