Evening star., 1937-06-06

NJ ! of Idaho declared before
" " the Soroptimist Club of
New York City q short
time ago that he was not only In
favor Of women holding public ONCE
on an equal footing with men. but
would vote for a woman for President
Of the United States "if I felt such
q candidate was better qualified for
the place than other candidates." he
aroused Nation wide interest In .
question that Is emerging from the
initial facetious status it once occupied
to one of growing speculation.
The general consensus seems to be,
in response to the worthy Idaho Sen
Ators Affirmation: well, why not?"
For times and customs assuredly
change, and the day when women
first went to business, known as type
writer's" in their high-necked blouses
and voluminous black skirts, with =
black ribbon bow in the hair, has
given way to an era when = woman
holds cabinet position, and in every
branch Of the National Government
there are feminine intelligence, wits
and shrewdness to be taken into con-
sideration or consulted.
Women have come to the fore to
remarkable degree under the New
Deal, and whether We like the idea
or approve the change IS beside the
point. The facts are that never be-
fore In the history Of this Nation have
women been given 50 many oppor-
tunities for expression Of their talents
in public life, or been permitted to
stride without condescension alongside
the great god man in the rushing
affairs OF the day.
AS historical reflection, quite apart
from personal prejudice in the matter,
the fact is vitality important and sig
niflcant, and every public of1ice turned
over to a woman nowadays becomes
another straw in the wind to point
the shifting trend and the destiny
OF the current. It has become now
as unintelligent to condemn woman's
suitability for once on the grounds
Of sex as it would be to refuse her
office on the grounds Of blue eyes Or
titan hair. Men have learned that
1t is gray matter and certain physi-
illogical receptivity and sensitivity that
can be turned to account In this COM
plex world, where the human equation
Is becoming increasingly important. II
the qualities be carried in feminine
or masculine form Is . secondary
matter.
pEPPERED with questions about
woman's place in the business
and political world, Senator Pope
stood up bravely under the feminine
barrage and aligned himself with the
vanguard, who ask only that q woman
be efncient.
There Is one circumstance that
should be taken into confederation
when We consider the possibility Of
electing . woman President" Senator
Pope declared. "Our Presidents are
usually middle-aged or past, and the
position requires degree Of physical
endurance which ut that age women
do not usually possess. It Is . job
which kills men"
At this. Senator Pope was asked by
Soroptimists II he did not think Mrs.
Roosevelt ~ well qualified physically
Is her husband, to be President.
Mrs. Roosevelt" replied the Senator,
not at all daunted, comes ~ near
as any woman I know to the physical
endurance required Of President, but
am not convinced and I am not sure
Mrs. Roosevelt Is convinced, that she
has sufncient strength for the Job. -
AL this brought much discussion
in the Capitol, and . review Of how
other men on the Hill have felt about
the matter. Senators and Repre-
sentatives, as . matter Of fact, are,
- . group, well-disposed toward hav-
ing women occupy hisA Government