Evening star., 1936-06-28

il
festivities.
Everywhere you 60 the women are
studying history, so they can answer
questions concerning Texas. A lew
words of conversation, and before you
know it they are proudly reeling of
how SIX flags of sovereignty-Spain,
France Mexico. United Confederacy,
Republic of Texas and the Stars and
Stripes-have waved over their city.
Even the newcomers love the tradi-
tions of their foster land and are TAX
ing the Centennial seriously. All are
Joining the Daughters of the Republic
of Texas in building a pioneer shrine
in the form of an early log house,
where women. during the Centennial
will extend hospitality to all visitors.
Some people say the women OF this
thriving metropolis are its civic house
keepers.
The women tell me it's because
Houston is a current frontier. still in
the pioneering stage, the land OF
rugged indiyidualism. 1t must be true
for everywhere you see weather-beaten
men wearing awkward clothes, great
hig hats and riding alone. But the
women are chic lovely to look at and
hide under their jaunty air strong
sense of order and discipline.
THEY all belong to missionary
society or a club and are always
planning something or other, for they
want their city to become great cul-
ture center. They insist that, although
the Lone Star State brought to the
Union an amazing history of adven-
ture and romance the atmosphere of
the city only now is taking form.
Less than a decade ago Houston
vas a small. friendly city and now its
p modern, prosperous commercial CEN
ter with its population growing by
leaps and bounds. Here there was but
slight depression and the city still is
the mecca for thousands of families.
The reason for it all? Well. Hous-
ton brought the ocean to its door. 1t
built the Houston Ship Channel, a
waterway extending from the city to
the Gulf of Mexico. and became
great shipping center. And many
6ocked to its shores.
What makes it so great is that, in
this booming city, the women keep
their old country habit of welcoming
you in hearty home folk fashion You
may come from any corner of the
globe, but you are still given the glad
hand. They want you for neighbor.
And in return you want to become
ND a oorfo -
creed their old battle cry:
"Oh, Texas. crowned with her sin
gle star:
She offers homes to the homeless,
hope to the oppressed,
To the careWorn ease, to the wan
derer rest"
When you ask them how come
through all the changes they have
kept their warm, vivid hospitality, you
are told: Perhaps We women love our
neighborS a little more, but we hon.
estly don't care how much money you
have. AS for your ancestors back
HONEYWELL, we just don't worry nor
brag about ours, for in Houston a
woman is judged by her culture and
civic interests"
IT MAY be the centennial, the cli-
mate or something else, but it is
difficult to talk to the women of Hous-
ton about national politics in spite of
the coming presidential election. I'm
mediately they tell you that all South
ernerS are Democrats. Then, learning
you are from Washington, they try to
interview you in an effort to learn all
about Mrs. Roosevelt and whether she
writes her own stuff.
When you press them for opinions
and attitudes about legislation, it is
amazing to find how little their atten-
ton dwells upon it. You mention the
large sums being spent by the admin
1stration and rich and poor alike reply
that theirs is prosperous city and
they are not worrying about future
taxes. However, many women do take
q more personal interest in the social
legislation. I'VE have no labor prob
lens" they say. Our women work
mostly in stores and offices. They are
we'll paid and they are used to starting
work at o'clock in the morning. The
bosses do it themselves. This is new
country.
Now, we did haye a waitress union
here" a golden-haired little Texan
told me. But when the girls found
they had to pay dues to keep it up they
lost interest. It's too easy to get an
other job. What's the use, anyway.
We want to get married.
There is plenty of poverty and un-
employment to be found if one looks
deeply enough for it, But the women
feel that most of it is taken care of by
the Federal relief. They'll unscramble
themselves" the women say. Times
are good and soon everybody who
wants work will be on his feet"
Nine. Houstonian's point of view
about exercising her voting franchise
is mighty interesting one With the
exception of small group of women
who are fighting for the removal of the
$l50 poll tax, there is prevailing in
difference. She is on her guard against
any sex discrimination and has a
healthy fear of relationships. But you
question her about her local problems
and she shrugs her shoulders. She re-
plies that she isn't essentially inter-
ested in politics, unless some particu-
lar problem comes up, and can't be
bothered voting. But how about your
husband-doesn't he want you to vote
the way he votes?" tried asking. mo,
he isn't very interested either" Does
this explain why out of a population
upward of $4,000 only $4,000 regis
tered to vote?
'VOU find that the women here,
aside from their political lethargy,
really have a strong sense of civic
pride. To show you their accomplish
ment, they point out that Houston
may be in the midst of boom, but it
is quiet and orderly; that after dark
you will find the streets deserted; there |