The Washington times., 1930-07-02
TELL IT TO ELSIE!
By Elsie Robinson .

From time to time we've made
a few feeble passes at the sub
ject of married women who
work, but generally we've
steered clear, hoping to avert
bloodshed. But now the wars
on. Lefty Jones demands a
showdown. What she thinks
of married women workers is
enough to start a riot call. And
she's not going to be kissed off
either.
So here goes for a free-for-all
over the pestieSt problem in the
Twentieth century. Here's your
chance to stage your argument,
whether it be for or against. Am
I going to take part in the me-
lee? l am not, darling, I love
my health. And I intend to
keep it. But 1 promise to play
fair. Bring on your yelps and
I'll print 'em. But play pretty.
Boo the other fellow if you must,
but nix on poisoned candy, con-
cealed bombs, tear gas and spit
balls.
First, here's Letty's letter.
Perhaps it's your letter, too. If
so, you'll know al, the hurt and
hate and hopelessneSc that fills
her discouraged heart-and pity
her. And whether you pity her
or not, read her letter seriously.
For thousands of women are in
Letty's plight-whatever the
reason.
Girls Plant
Dear Miss Robinson:
Whenever can afford it, I
buy the paper to read your de-
partment. 1 admit some of it is
good. It treats of life and
women as they are today. But
there Is one thing about it that
gets my goat, and that is the
way you stick up for married
women workers.
Maybe you're married your
self. If you are, you ought TO
be ashamed of yourself for hold.
ing your job. for you are keep
ing some poor single girl OUT
of it.
Il know what I'm talking
about-for I am a single girl
looking for a job and I can't
find it.
"I've been looking for months
now, and all I get is temporary
work now and then.
"And everywhere 1 90 there
are married women holding
down jobs with good big salaries
.. going around i'm silk stock
ingS and fancy shoes and, $25
hats and fur coats.
"Of course. it is easy for them,
with their fine clothes, to get
job. What chance has a shabby
tired, discouraged girl against
women like that? None at all.
IF they really needed the jobs
/ wouldn't kick. But they don't.
Not one in thousands. Most of
them are working because
they're not satisfied with what
their husbands make. They
want finer clotheS-more thea,
ter tickets-more jewelry. And
they are bored staying home
They want to go out where
there is some excitement. So
they look for a job-and it never
botherS them if another girl
starves for their selfish enjoy.
ment.
'TS it right? Is it fair?
Should people be allowed to
take a living away from others
that way?
What they get married for
ii they didn't want to stay home
and mind their own business
and do right by their husbands?
LEFTY JONES'"
That's Letty's side of it. And
thousands of miserable girls will
agree with Lefty. But thou
sands won't. And Ida's one Of
them. Ida'S a working wife.
But she doesn't work for the
reasons which Lefty gives. She
has much more serious pur-
pose-and if you don't agree
with It, just what would you ad-
wise her to do? Suppose you
were stumped as Ida was
Another Side
Dear Elsie:
Maybe it seems funny for me
to call you Elsie when I have
never seen you, but you nave
come to seem just like one CT
my own family to me. You're
so understanding. You have