Evening star., 1945-05-26
Hiring SERVANTS
Is Ciucb in Iran,
Mrs. Gnrmey Says
Bv Catherine r. Hamble1

Though American women hold the
cherished place among women, they
might well, in these days Of domestic
shortage. envy their sisters in Iran,
where even servants have help of
their own, according to Mrs. F. Tay-
lor Gurney, whose husband was
head sof the science department in
the college at Teheran and is now
accompanying four Iranian journal
lists on a tour of the United States.
Speaking yesterday at the final
meeting of the District Farm and
Garden Association, Mrs. Gurney
told Of "thoughtfulness and gracious
ness Of the Iranian people," of their
customs and increasing moderniza-
ton.
In emphasizing their fine touch for
hospitality, she described call to
the home of her cook. Instead of
serving her tea in the usual glass,
resembling cheese jar, the cook
had borrowed Mrs. Gurney's English
teacup, to which Mrs. Gurney was
accustomed, returning it to the
breakfast table the next day. Piles
Of plates Of food had been rent
ed for display purposes, though
there were others with food to eat.
After sitting hours Turkish fashion,
Mrs. Gurneys situation became un-
bearable. However, she dared not
speak for fear of offending her host
ess. The latter, though untutored
and having no chair to offer, with
inherent tact of the Orient, spared
the guest by asking her to rise and
let other guests see her Western
dress and how she dressed her hair
Because lives of assembled women,
whose contact with the world had
been through servant gossip from
the market, were SO limited, ques-
tioning of the foreigner was re-
stricted to inquiries such as How old
are you? How many children have
you? Why don't you have more
children? Are you going to have any
more and when? How much does
your husband make?" Though SEEM
ingly tactless, this was the only way
to make conversation and relax the
guest. In addition. of course, they
were guided by proverbial curiosity
of their sex
Eastern women aim to be as loved,
respected and honored as their
counterparts in the West. Mar
riages have been of convenience and
divorce was obtainable only if the
husband should reject Islam for an
other faith. Women now have equal
rights in divorce and their mod
ernization Is becoming increasingly
apparent. Mrs. Gurney told how
immodest women felt when they
adopted short dresses in lieu of the
tent" and of how uncomfortable
the men were in trousers after wear
ing robes.
Polygamy is still practiced, though
not popular. A man can have four
legal wives and any number Of
temporary wives. 1t Is interesting to
note that a wife can be temporary
for 80 years.
Mrs. D. w. Knowlton, a sister OF
Charles Dana Gibson. was intro
duced as the new president to sue
coed Mrs. r. Winston Holt, who pre-
sided. The rest Of the slate includes:
Mrs. William H. McGlauflin and
Mrs. Raymond A. Pearson, recording
and corresponding secretaries; Miss
Evelyn D. Cannon, treasurer, with
Mrs. William r. Weaver as assistant,
and Mrs. Willoughby Chesley, Mrs.
Walter r. Tuckerman, Mrs. Robert
D. Maltby and Mrs. Roland Ring
gold, vice presidents.
A resolution was passed whereby
the District association will sponsor
a garden center in a downtown de-
partment store. Approximately 40
local garden clubs are expected to
cooperate in stating the booth,
which the store is setting up as a
public service.