Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-05

7 II Priestley, the distinguished British
novelist who is visiting the
United States They cater to their
women. pamper them and give them both their
ancient privileges and their modern rights, but
receive hardly anything in compensation.
Europe is the paradise for husbands" he
smilingly told the interviewer. There women
are still content to center their lives around the
man. They spoil him and hun1or him and let
him rule the roost In England women play
more active part in running the country, yet
they don't attempt TO run the men. That is
why England has remained an essentially mas
cune country even though the women OUT
number the men.
''Of course, one may well ask: Why should it
be the unique privilege of the men to be spoiled?
Why shouldn't women be spoiled, TOO? Inc
fundamental psychological truth is that 1t Is
bad for the women. They don't bear the treat
ment well"
There was a twinkle in the authors eye as he
paused to relight his briar pipe. He is stocky,
broad-Shouldered man Of medium height, Ozark
complexion and clean shaven. He has serious,
reserved manner that is Offset by the wit and
humcr Of his conversation.
Since he was in New York for a few days
only before leaving for lecture tour, his suite
in one of the new skyscraper hotels was filled
with many friends who had known him In Eng
land-literary and play agents, publishers, re-
-porters and photographers who were all waiting
to see him. The interview was punctuateo by
numerous telephone calls and messages ana
other Interruptions but throughout 1t the
author managed to remain unperturbed and to
pick up the thread of discussion.
GGxXTOMEN are at their best in times OF
adversely" he continued. mo hard
ship is too much for them and no sacrifice too
great. They can endure suffering with greater
patience and courage than men. Then it is
that the superb qualities which have done SO
much for humanity shine forth in all their
glory.
But spoil women, give them whatever their
hearts desire, and their petty qualities VIII
come to the fore. What is more. woman is
rarely content when everything is handed TO
her on a silver platter
IT do not mean to imply that it is any better
for the character of men to have things made
easy for them. But it is certain that men can
stand more spelling without bad effect. They
little boys who never grow up. Iney must
be petted and praised and encouraged so
much more is demanded OF them In the oatue
for a livelihood that they look to woman 70
give them faith and confidence Without her
boosting they would easily give way to dis
couragement. That is why spelling man gives
his character certain mellowness 1t gives
him strength. But with woman 1t has just
the opposite reaction"
Mr. PrieStley believes that there are many
things which have made the American woman
spoiled. But perhaps the chief one Is the ideal
that was handed down to men from their
pioneer forefathers.
In the DAYS when the pioneers were building
up America" said Mr. Priestley, women were
scarce There possibly one woman for every
so men. When you further realize that Wlte
in those days was not a luxury or a decora-
ton but an economic asset, it is easy to see
what high value was placed upon woman and
in what regard she was held
"At that time life was not very bearable for
a man if he could not get a wife. He needed
her to make home for him in the wilderness,
to cook and to sew. He would have been able
to accomplish very little If he had not ND her
at his side to hslp him. Naturally, the pioneer
man came to regard woman as one whose price
was far above rubleS.
1.-The pu-itanical ideal also accounts for your
placing women on pedestsls. Women were re-
vered almost as angels They were idolized as
creatures who were above the frailties OF man.
While conditions have changed, yet the Amer
lean man is still kept in the strict bondage OF
the puritan morale. 1t accounts for his not
understanding woman and still treating her as
though she has embryonic wings on her
shoulders"
TT Is because Englishmen do not look at their
women through a cloud OF sentimentality
that it has been a simple matter for them to
maintain their positions. One can scarcely
imagine them allowing their wives to do as
they please. That would be a confession of
weakness on their part and they would be liable
to go the way of the American male.
THE Engshman takes his rights very
seriously" said Mr.. Priestley. He still insists
that he is responsible for his wife and her
tons. His home is his castle and he is the
lord of it.
THE average English husband, for that rea-
son, does not encourage his wife to engage in a
career. He wants to bind her to him by her
economic dependence upon him. He fears that
if she holds on to job he will be no longer an
essential part of her life. She would walk out
on him whenever she took the fancy to do So
AS it is the English wife sticks to her hus-
band no matter what ups and downs disagree
theuY have hay II