They
demand political equality with men. They demand the direct, equal and
secret franchise for all legislative bodies, full equality in the
communes and in legal representation of their interests.
"This first joint pronouncement on women's demands will be followed by
others until the victory of our cause is won."
[Footnote 3: "Die Frauenvereine jeder Stadt verbinden sich fuer die Dauer
des Krieges zur Organization Nationaler Frauendienst die zu Berlin am
1ten August begruendet wurde."]
VI
WOMEN OVER THE TOP IN AMERICA
American women have begun to go over the top. They are going up the
scaling-ladder and out into All Man's Land. Perhaps love of adventure
tempts them, perhaps love of money, or a fine spirit of service, but
whatever the propelling motive, we are seeing them make the venture.
There is nothing new in our day in a woman's being paid for her
work--some of it. But she has never before been seen in America
employed, for instance, as a section hand on a railway. The gangs are
few and small as yet, but there the women are big and strong specimens
of foreign birth. They "trim" the ballast and wield the heavy "tamping"
tool with zest. They certainly have muscles, and are tempted to use them
vigorously at three dollars a day.
In the machine shops where more skill than strength is called for, the
American element with its quick wits and deft fingers predominates.
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