The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-19
1zv. 70, 1es{
FenniniStS
Yearn for
New Strife
Some Not Content With
Slow Struggle for
Equality.
BY GRETTA PALMER
Times Special Writer

NEW YORK. Jan. l9.-The shade
~ OF Sir William Osler unob-
trusively entered a dinner party the
other evening. His startling sugges-
ton that every man should be killed
al the approach Of senility was
echoed by a fiery little feminist who
impatient at the snail-like prog
-vss being made by her sex toward
SiI- promised land Of equality.
The women who were the leaders
in battles Of the old suffrage days,
she said. too. often have proven
stumbling blocks 70 the younger
generation who demand more for
women-oh, a great deal more
than the right 70 vote. These vet
Grams Of previous campaigns are
still regarded by legislators as the
appointed spoke sman Of sex which
has outgrowr their pitifully mOder-
ate demands.
These women used TO predict
that the millennium would be here
when they obtained the vote. Thsy
said It so often that they believed it
true-and have gone right on be-
lieving il true in defiance of every
thing they see about them.
Scorn Young Leaders
They used to agitate against the
explorations Of women in industry.
BY obtaining protective legislation
they felt that they had put a stop
to that evil and that they could re-
lax after a good decades work.
The fact that protective legisla-
ton has given men a chance to
underbid women in industry and
forced them out Of their jobs is
something they refuse to under
stand.
The poor old dears drape them
selves in the prestige they richly
deserve for their accomplishments
in the past. Then they oppose any
movement toward equality which
was not Endorsed by the Suffrage
party in 1905. If they could be
painlessly and honorably removed
We might get something done"
Outlive Their Cause
The suggestion is a shade drastic
but you will find that most femi-
nists are drastic. Next to the ladies
who plead for peace there are few
more militant groups in the coun-
try. Their fanaticism is Of enor-
nous value, but it is the fault OF
fanatics that they can not usually
Jf,-ort tt,osr av,aroToc n opv othor
cause than the one to which they
have dedicated their lives.
The older members of the rights
for women party. about whom our
friend so lethally complained. are.
some of them. members Of that I'M
happieSt of all claSses-the fanatics
who have outlived their cause They
are not alone in this-thrOughOut
the country. in the more serious
minded sets. you Will find men and
women whose last spark of anima-
ton and happiness died out when
the bill or amendment for which
they worked finally was passed.
Sometimes the achievement of
your LIES dream leaves you dis
consulate. with no desire TO fold
your hands and survey the good you
have done. You want to go on
fighting, but your dragon-drat
him!-is already killed.
"Spares" Advised
Some of the women who were
active in the old suffrage days have
kept up with the parade and even
managed to frisk a step or two in
front of 1t. They are possessed
more power to theml-of a fieXibil-
ity of purpose which permits them
10 shift their gaze TO a farther peak
instead of sitting down compla-
Gently on the one that they have
just scaled.
We recommended their attitude
to all of the militant young femi-
niSts of the moment. Some day,
you know, equal rights may actu-
ally have been attained, and then
where viii they be?
Every refOrmer who wants to be
quite sure of never Outwearing her
usefulness should keep a spare cause
or two around the house to fall
back on when the laws for which
she agitateS are finally and ire