Evening star., 1936-12-06
Bv Mafhilde Bahar.
MILWAUKEE,, WIS.

German word for contentment
u and understanding, the nat
ural beauty of Lake Michigan ana the
quaint local color of her city. How
ever, once in action, you find her tax
ing a deep civic interest in uphold
ing Milwaukee's record of achievement
in health, safety, lawfulneSs and edu-
cation. To her these represent the
type of people they have in their city.
Z Show me what kind of municipal
government you have and I can tell
syou what kind of community life your
city leads" claims the Milwaukee
woman For she truly believes that
metropolis is exactly what the tax
paver makes it. And, as if in proof
of her point, you find. during local
elections, ardent Republican and
Democratic women standing in the
snow on chilly corners giving out cir
culars asking the citizenry to vote for
q solialist Mayor.
Although Mayor Hoan is Socialist
and has been in Office for 25 years,
still this does not mean that the
women of Milwaukee want a social
istic form of government. This was
clearly shown during the last local
election, when the womens CLUBS Or
ranized solidly to defeat the referen-
dunn for the proposed municipal own
ership of the public utilities. AS
protest against any possibility OF ac-
tual socialistic changes in their city
government, they destroyed in the
common Council what they call the
eitys check and balance system.
Always they had voted so as to keep
A balance between the Socialists and
non-partisans combined Democrats
and Republicans) In this election
they gave a large control to the non
partisans. However, they still re-
elected the Socialist Mayor. But you
find that, since they have made their
position clear, the women wish to put
back the old balance. For they fear
that any other party except one that
is socialistic may lead to a political
machine.
sTUST why do you as non-partisan
voter want an equal number OF
Socialists in power, since you do not
believe in socialism," I asked. And
everywhere the women boasted that
1t keeps the city clean, away from bad
politics.
'.Where can you find another city
where a woman can walk on any
street and be just as safe at midnight
as at 8 o'clock in the morning" they
invariably reply. And then point out
that the Milwaukee Police Depart
ment has the lowest crime rate and
fewer crime problems than any met
ropolitan city in the country. They
know it is because their police are
outstandingly free from any sort OF
political influence In fact, it's the
same throughout the city adminlstra-
ton. People here performing public
service need have no fear OF their
Jobs, for the citizens of Milwaukee do
not allow positions of civic RESPONSE
bility made into political plums. Prac-
tically everything is under civil service.
The Milwaukee housewife tells you
proudly: when a mother goes to
sleep at night, she knows her city is
a safe, fine place for her family to
live in. It gives her confidence and
inspires her to work for the common
good"
What is more important is that the
Milwaukee women long ago discov-
cred that good, honest government,
free from greedy political fingers,
benefits every phase of both civic and
private life. They have worked side
by side with their men to accomplish
this, and are completely justified as
to results. Milwaukee has made
SCOOP of the Nations civic honors.
Its fire department has received the
national fire waste awards. Its health
department many of the highest hon.
ors. And at the present time, Mil
waukee holds the title of being "the
safest city in the Nation" Naturally
these things are of primary import
ance to the mothers of the city, be-
cause it concerns services which insure
long life, health and happiness to
their families.
ONE of the most remarkable fea-
lures of this municipal cooperation
among the women is seen in their
utter lack of class conscious antag-
onisms. Instead of finding the usual
petty chickering's and slanderings be-
tween the different political and So
cial factions. They seem to go out OF
their way to express affection and
sincerity.
Only the other day I interviewed
two different classes of women. In
Q most conservative home, my hostess,
wealthy in her own right, was discuss
ing the public activities of certain
lady. II would say that Mrs. x is a
most disturbing radical" said she
bitterly, and then she frightened up
and added But she Is SO fine and
sincere that I just love her"
Later at a labor meeting, the same
scene almost repeated itself. woman
spoke of the work of certain club
leader. "She is the most awful re-
dictionary" said she. But we love
her just the same, for she is always
ready to give her time and money, If
she believes in cause"
According to the ladies, it is ira
dition which has directed the Milwau-
kee woman's attitude along these lines
The city has always wanted to profit
by the combined efforts of the many
nations and classes that settled here.
For Milwaukee has always been an
asylum to all those fleeing from op-
preston, tyranny and misrule in their
own land. French, Irish, Polish and
German have sought refuge there as
q direct result of trouble in their
homeland. The result has been that
while, in ways of living and thinking,
the women of Milwaukee may radi-
cally differ, they have learned for gen.
erations to intermix with friendship
when it comes to any civic interest.