The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-10-10
Observations
Diligent Search
For Booklet on
Solons Fails
sy Helen Essary


an excited city editor with the
question. What do YOU know
about that booklet some people say
is being printed by members OF
Congress who are garter snappers
and such?" | quite properly con
Quoted the next day-or was It the
same day-my own private inquiry
into that bootlet' That booklet,
according 10 the stories, was being
prepared by newspaperwomen in
the Senate and House press gal
leries as a sort Of guide to which
senators and congressman were
most wolhsh and how and when,
and how 10 avoid the Jolly little
ways OF said wolves.
Well. il there is such a booklet.
guide. handbook, or handout IN
existence. I'm the worlds worst re-
porter. | could not track down
even a rough copy Of the supposed
manual Not one OF the 20 know
ing newspaperwomen ! interviewed
had heard OF IT, II was their opin-
ion, and it's mine, too, that the
story was concocted by a bored
male reporter who. having got tired
OF dull speeches on postwar per
lection, decided TO whip up a little
sensation.
Undoubtedly the newspaperwom-
en- said, and in this | also agree,
Washington is a First Name and
Laying On of Hands Town. Most
any member of Congress or office
holder, particularly in a campaign
year, is likely TO be extra friendly.
But as for the garter swapping ana
such, why that's as out OF date as
horse and buggy days. And kinda
goofy besides.
EVEN ON THIS GALA DAY IN
the life OF Frances Dewey, she man
ages somehow TO retire into the
background. She didn't make a
speech. After Sapulpa's warm tri-
butte in the public square. and the
presentation Of a little bouquet OF
flowers, she just smiled happily
and sat down" (From a report of
Governor Dewey's campaign trip
through Oklahoma.)
Say the words again She
didn't make a speech. She just
smiled happily and sat down ou
get a pleasant picture. a picture
that pleases the mental eye and
travelling 10 the ears is soothing.
The whole effect is somehoY COM
forting.
Maybe the effect is more than
comforting. Maybe il is prophetic.
The woman of the future, for a
few years anyhow, may be ike
Frances Dewey. The postwar WON
an after her struggle in a man-de-
serted world may be anxious TO re-
turn TO the relatively relaxing role
OF retiring into the background.
smiling happily and. saying nothing
Some straws in the wind point to
a revival Of the institution OF the
home. A sort OF inspired revival.
The Department OF Labor by way OF
its women's division Is conducting
a careful national inquiry into the
postwar plans OF women workers
in industry. II l. too early in the
investigation TO predict definitely
what working women will do after
the war. There Is, however, a sur
prising trend back to the home.
Already the Women's Army
Corps, the WAVES and other CORE.
spending groups are receiving many
designations from former enthu'
siasts. "Ill have TO leave you is
the explanation. my husband is
coming back"
THE THEME of Rose Franken's
Soldiers Wife, now running at
the National Theater, inspired
group OF servicemen on turlough
in the capital with nice discus
sion yesterday. There was not dis
senting vote on the theory that the
woman the soldier leaves behind
him has a fob to perform that is
both tough and delicate.
She must adjust herself TO living
alone. She m st be very careful.
however, not 10 be too successful at
living alone. For II she does, she
will become too independent 70. take
up life again as the wife OF the man
who went away.
THERE is A LOT OF silly talk
about the over carefree ways OF
the men abroad. Inspired perhaps
by a camera kiss or a boastful let
ter back home. But, so the service
men insisted. and they sounded as
II they we're speaking the truth,
the men overseas are not FOSTERING
guys taking the town TO pieces
whenever they get chance. In the
first place. they are too busy kill.
ing and keeping from being killed
to have much chance for wild
orgies. In the second place, they
seldom stay long enough in any
one place to make any lasting at
tachment. And in the third place,
there generally isn't anybody
around with whom they particular.
L. a.