Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25

BERLIN.-German women. though 81
per cent of them in Berlin, for example,
are entirely self-supporting and 80 per
cent are money-earners, are still sub
Sect to legal restrictions which keep
fhem virtually in the class of chattels.
And, even though they enjoy the con-
etitutional benefit OF universal suffrage,
the German women must maintain a
sconcerted and steady campaign before
ssthey win the economic and social status
q to which their leaders believe them
Ckntitled.
II the obstinacy Of some men and
the apathy of some women cannot be
otherwise circumvented, the women Of
: Germany must form party. OF their
fAown for the vigorous and official
faurtherance Of their interests.
Frau Katharine Won Kardorff Leads
Feminists.
Among the chief standard bearers in
such q movement Is Frau Katharine
non Kardorff, already well known
among European leaders in the emanci-
patton Of women from their traditional
political and economic limitations. She
J.. the owner of large ceramics fac
tory In Bavaria, employing 1000
horkers, which she manages herself.
Die points proudly to the fact that
Ahe has =. had 10 children as evidence
Chat she deals not in theories alone.
II envy the American woman because
Nh; has already attained almost every
"a ng the German woman is still fight
3ng for" Frau Won Kardorff told your
correspondent.
Believing that the quickest way to
ochieve the aims of free womanhood
q through women themselves rather
et.an through men, she appeals directly
b the housewives and business women
% exert their influence individually in
bringing about change in the male at
;tztude toward women's rights.
Civil Code Unchanged.
I'VE must educate the women first, Z"
FRAU Won Kardorff said, Ito make them
understand their fundamental rights
and how to turn them into practice.
The German constitution has given
women universal suffrage and put
them on an equal political footing with
men. They have the vote now and they
may not be Disseminated against be-
cause Of their sex. This all reads very
well. but in daily life it is quite a diff
ferent matter. The constitution has not
changed the civil code, and the civil
code, In its provisions concerning the
female sex, makes woman almost a
chattel. The signature Of a married
woman in matters OF law and business
is worthless without the approval of
her husband. In all matters of con-
jugal life the decision rests with the
man. Woman has to obey If she balks
at the rules governing her doings as
laid down by her lord and master she
may give him ground for getting a d.
vorce from her without alimony Even
If self-supporting. the wife is economi-
cally dependent upon her husband. who
has the right to spend to the last
penny, according to his taste, not only
his own income, but hers as well. I ad-
vocate that the income of a married
pair should belong to both partners on
equal terms. The wife ought to be
legally entitled TO decide how his earn
1ngs are to be spent"
Such provisions as these, Frau vor
Kardorff says, would be particular
blessing to the wives of workingmen
She had ascertained she said, that Of
sthe doles paid In Berlin to unemployed
men 80 per cent was spent on drink
only 20 per cent going to the families
and 1t was shown that the average
skilled laborer consuming 100 gallons
of beer and 80 bottles of strong liquors
per capita year, spent one-flfth OF his
total income ou liquor.