LITTLE TALKS BY BEA TRICE FAIRFAX By Beatrice Fairfax There's a girl worker whom I want to intercede for. She has written to me. under many names. Her cry of protest has a hundred variations. But at the bottom of it all there's an un varying something that goes to one s heart and one's sense of justice. It s the Plight of the young tfrl wage earner who is treated as a child at home. But she is a child!—her parents will answer me. with a good deal of emphasis. And it's true—for it's the girl of fifteen or sixteen whom I'm speaking of. The girl who ought to be at school, and who isn't. The girl who oughtn't to have to bend her youthful mind and body to long hours of daily drud gery, but who does do this. The girl who is willing to be made use ■of to help out the family support, but who does rebel at having no individual freedom. Ever so many things are wrong about this situation, of course. It goes a great deal deeper than any fifteen-year-old can understand. Without trying to go to the bottom of things, let's look at it a little. In the first place, I suppose we would all admit that a fifteen-year old girl ought to be in school. If she isn't, it means she's had a pretty scant preparation for life. If she's just an average girl, it isn't likely that she'll take her own edu cation in hand and continue it. So she'll suffer from this disadvantage always. Too Young: to Work In the next place, she oughtn't to be put at steady work, whether it's in a factory or in a shop or at a typewriter. You see, she's only about three-quarters grown. It's distinctly cruel —not on the part of her parents, who probably can't help themselves, but on the part of the rest of us, who look on and al low it—not to let her finish her growing. Then, she's too young to have any physical stability. Her health won't have a really solid founda tion tot s .few years more. And to tamper with her 1.-tftitli is the worst wrong of all. But who can save her? She's one of a big family, perhaps. Her fath er's out of work, or earns small wages, and the younger children have large appetites, and provisions have to bo paid for in cash. It's quite plain that somebody must help out. And the sixteen-year-old doesn't demur. That isn't what she's pro testing about. She's abundantly willing to do her share, and a great deal more than her share, to keep the family alive. It's a sacrifice to break away from her schoolmates, to spend all her young strength in an impersonal treadmill. But she accepts this sacrifice as a matter of course. Those young brothers and sisters need her help. There's nothing more to be said about it. So she starts In. .And when the first pay day comes around, she brings home her wages with a great deal of pride and satisfaction, and turns them over to her mother. It's rather a critical moment. Per haps she hasn't expected that mother will accept those precious dollars in quite the cool, matter-of fact way that she does. Perhaps she has taken it for granted that mother will say. "How much are you going to need for yourself, now that you an- self-supporting?" or something of the sort. Has No Spending Money But nothing of this kind hap pens. So, a little teary and disap pointed and forlorn, she starts in on the second week's drudgery. And before many days have passed her new associates invite her to join them in some form of re creation. Perhaps it's a party at one of their houses. Perhaps it's an expedition-to a moving picture theater. She reports this invitation, tim idly but hopefully, when she gets home. And it's just as she feared, i Her parents firmly tell her that she's too young for evening amuse ments, that they can't let her go out of the house at night except in the company of an older person, and that she needs to go to bed early anyway. And when Sunday comes it's the same story. She must mind the younger children. And she has no clothes except her working ones, poor little Cinderella. And she's safer at home, they tell her, than with boys and girls whom nobody knows anything about. Now. I agree with these parents that a sixteen-year-old girl ought ! not to bo out late at night. I agree that she must be carefully guarded. But I do feel when she has joined the working army, her situation be comes different. Some compromises ' must be made. And discreet parents I will make these compromises be- | fore the girl finds herself driven to 1 actual revolt. Every worker needs recreation. ' And which one of them needs it j more than the girl who hasn't yet reached a safe and reasonable working age? It's her parents' duty to see that such a girl does have some playtime. I don't mean that they should let her go to dance halls. But let her join an innocent group of young people now and then. Let her have her friends at the house. See that she goes out doors on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Don't drink up her life energy without seeing that she gets some reinforcement. Is It a Square Deal? Then there is the money question. She must clothe herself. She must meet incidental expenses. She must have spending money. Why should these sums be given to her grudg ingly. in driblets, when she gives you her total earnings without a question? Is it fair? Are you treating her as a free individual with rights and preferences, or are you trying to keep her In a condition of slavery? "I am sixteen years old," a girl wrote me the other day, "and make a salary of twelve dollars a week. I give m,y mother every cent I make, and she never gives me any spend ing money. Don't you think I should receive a little spending money? Also, after working In a stuffy office all day, my mother very seldom al lows me to go out at night. Some times I am really tempted to stay out forever when, after a stiff argu ent. I am allowed to stay out until 9 o'clock." And another writes: "I am seven teen and work In a factory, earning eleven dollars a week. Out of this money I only get fifty cents. Now, you know. Miss Fairfax,, what fifty cents Is worth nowadays. Then, If r ask my mother for a dime or nickel THURSDAY EVENING during the week, I've got to cry my eyes out. And when I need some thing to wenr, I've got to erv week after week continually. Honest, Miss Fairfax. I am entirely dis gusted with this life." Don t you think, mothers and fathers, that thero is reasonable ness In these appeals? Don't you think it rhould be your business to see that these young burden-bearers have some actual, positive happi ness In their lives? Remember how bad for young people excessive re pression is. To bo treated with respect and to be allowed an occasional innocent "good time" is all that they are ask ing for. Can't you grant them this? | Women's Up to $25.50 COATS / l/^//f^ /l/fff % ////l "/^ f * ffl %"w |^ l/f - 1 Women's Up to $16.50 DRESSES jg Friday and Saturday idg& -A. 1 ■ fcUf BB\B Friday and Saturday S BT Novelty Cloth and Wool Velour, A,- m WT 81 H Women's and Misses' New Satin, A AA B§ 'A in black and colors. Belted or plain tbl HFW Dill F fHTDT QTfIDIT VJi Taffeta and Serge Sample Dresses, in \ QA fctf l| models. Large collars of Plush or Imm IIULL UL| | A O I Ull EL assorted colors. Some finished with lIS Velvet; some with fur. Worth to braid and embroidery. All sizes. Spe- nsj | $25.50 each, at $14.90. | 428~430 Sa ' Urday Wh ''' i |A Record - Breaking After Holiday! I SA | | LOT OF BOYS' WINTER SUITS I Offering remarkable values for a DOLLAR. MEN'S SUITS AND OVERCOATS I B _ 1 VALUES that wiil make hundreds of Bargain Seekers happy Friday and# 3 II Wi " 8° ° n sale Frida V a-d Saturday. JAJ /Saturday. USEFUL THINGS-Just What you and your family will/ Mzn's and Young Men's Suits A Q(1 I ftt {l9 . ey cor " e m ver y new sa e, tans, * 1 most need now, at savings that surpass anything offered this season. NO £ and Overcoats, all sizes, splendid tI m* I raj 15- tJTT UP 1 PHONE, MAIL OR C. O. D. ORDERS. I models. Values up to $20.00. l£, | U : rj| to $6.50. Special Friday and Saturday $12.90 j|jl Ladies 79c Ladies' 39c Boys' 75c jMB Men's $1.50 JM Four 37c r jgs } 6 "Arrow" JESS Girls'sl 50 -■ P!i I skssHl 4 sfss-HI -ssLsrja ■sssr 4 4 A \M Special. 2 pair /h *SSi i-ned HUbE Api p erca i es , Cham- jfe P 1 ? 111 col ° rs 11 and d* lli Bleached Muslin A |p| Regular 25c kind M Ribbed fleeced— §9 Bal K xLH Si,-,, q m glB Mndmc S: aSj| mixtures. Excellent gP| well made and H MRS 4k S&ij well made and fin- 8® PWi WA Sateen Skirts S3 'API v \ A 111 quality materials. finished—good size AH| in all the popular J) Sgl i s hed. Sizes up to Hk |§| Yjk fg Deep flounce; black |§| with hem top and f gjJ £ll sizes. Special f J Come early for §gj stv les and all men's B 16. While they last, t|/ gSj . " and several styles and I•.i , . . GO| * 6 ' X? r y Special ma I Friday and Satur- j u£j I them. Friday and IH Isyes an a men r i an( j Satur- BB . |kf sgl nbbed tO P' 4 P air - m Dollar Da y s > 2 for ,gJ day gg| Saturday, 4 for ... - gg| sizes. Special, 6 for day, the suit, ||| ®kj Tk S Yard ?. of J Lad ' es ' Knit and jm $l-49 jm 2 Garments J"°" c v fi Pair Women's ~—. „ , ~Z X C Curtain Goods Cassimere BED SHEETS UNDERWEAR pap? STOCKINGS ®f|| TwoPairMen s JM Stripes, plafds, GLOVES Snow white Bed Natura l wool. frlM ' a. |J 68cHOSE / 50c Ladies Knit /ft M Sheets— reinforced /ft Worth to $1 00 the W ° ol Yarn — M a- M Fine Cotton Rib- fl* M . -MS Lfi Ya 35C PERCALE $■ Si M T' bti - Re *r. 2sc pli tu"s ea I y rea! m ,o; I .= 51 n°L' ,V i colors. Very dur- V M °i a ' linen finish. P children. Cho ice and combinations. M kind, in all sizes. g| rough winter A M gg | Exc-llent quality. ffifl able and well p| Sollar Days Spe- |g| Friday and Satur- jl| F° r b °ys and girls. Friday and Satur- fr|| weather. Big H KJ choice paptterna ytg made; all sizes; 3 EB c j a l ||P| day, 2 garments .. Special, 2 for BSC day, 6 pair value. Choice, 2 tSi __ mm^m pairs MB pairs } . l • Men's 39c JM > tl AO z/H Twn RQr 4 Pairs 39c Jm 3 Pair 50c S l - 50 Wool Canvas Gauntlet Co"durov BOYS' HATS SUSPENDERS SCARh SEIS Men's $1.50 §F> R "1 PANTS TI AhW A | HOSE . Tra Iu „ . d . 711 Consisting .ijj Dress Shirts m 4 ri AN:S ber o{ them; as _ Good brand m yft Just arrived in ▲Bp po lo cap and scarf, fl" IV9 Voile Waists Jl PI Knickerbo Cker %il sorted, styles and black and white time for this sale. 4b g|j for womcn and JJ |§£ f a b "if jm RT Voile Waists; and straight Pants ||/ mjm colors. Good ma- and in all sizes. Good elastic web. misses. Elegant , jk Hi bmi |BT sizes 38 to 46. Your of Corduroy. Sizes terials. Special Fri- Q Special Friday and wm Metal buckles See- 101 combination colors. |||| Madras; plain and M Jfi fi choice i3to 16 Special for M day and Saturday, M J 4 | dal 3 paf for • M Choice, each, set,.. ; ■ fancy effects. All H J Dollar Days KJ9 2 for ciai, j pair ror .... _sizes. Special, each L 9 — —]zr J ] Turkish Towels 27c MUSLIN 6 Pairs Men's 6 Pairs Infants' 4 Pair 39c JMk fj 37c Heavy Turk- 5 Yards for .... 25c HOSE HB| HOSE MEN'S HOSE 4 Yards 4 Bish Towels. Four g| Fine cotton. All Nice quality. Q Your choice of rffel LONGCLOTH |X <T med Mn fidl M BizeS ' colors ' ti Rc g ular 25c 9Ual * tbS h, t vT' IS C ■ well known brands ' VB Regularly 33c a /hi S] B Novelty Skirts V H pieces; ™.h fin- 9 P B ity. Friday and Sat- V ® P ■ M yd :/°" SI U [| M Dollar"DayO yda! g Friday and Satur- g C hoic ., 6 g while they last , 4 ■ color. Friday and ■ Fnd.y a ur- Vg g g to 3.00 mm for fca day, 6 pairs, W P air fo , r V™ G| ■■ pr i CCB . 4 yards ... G 65c Turkish 35c OUTING $1.50 Silk 3 Yards Children's Girls'sl.so Canton Flannel ' 0 Towels, 2 for .. Hm 4 Yards BjM POPLIN 47c SECO SILK SWEATERS "8| DRESSES 33c Canton Flan- gl Large size Turk- 28-inch Outings; Elegant quality; Kl Good selection ofBB r . Nt , , ,a. H HB nel, 4 yards for ... H| Vi |5 ish Towels; hem- , U f,s, color,; all ffM new shipment, popular p ,ai nS H ues $2.00 A apei H ~,.1" ae'" b Bl Dish Towels A JA nds; snow M full p.eces; worth !■ compnsmg shades. Good qual- V ■ cial assortment of $ ■ f,'' I'H 15c Dish Towels, sj) ■ 9 ■ white and colored ■■ 35c at all stores. pB early shades. various styles and ects ' also P laids BJ good quality and |fl 1 im border; all perfect. mm Dollar Days spe- . ft-X Special Friday and lt Y- Your ch <> l ce HM colors. Special, and stripes. All good s j zes red . HH Dj ; fIDo l lar Days. 2 lor cial. 4 yards lor ... H Saturday, yard. ... ■ 3 yards tor M each,. ■ sizes. Choice | stripes, 10 for .... [Bl Wa Ladies' 68c $1.50 2 Yards 79c YM \ 0 WOM wolt F * l 0 l 0 wlmf s and M Littm • GIRL'S WINTER COATS I 1 UJ Worth to $20.00 white. First qual- Misses* sizes. 58 inches wide— 3w rr"lAlrinl^Pnnlfn tf* K.'l White Voiles, heavily mercerized B 6to 14 year sizes. Choose from heavy -i- - !■ . ge or Woo Pop , n - Qr* Ladies' $1.50 ik T T rhnire c -l. r t;nn n H Winter Materials, such as Kerseys, Mix- AA 4 Best colors. Some with velvet collar Jk 9M *S rnpQPTq 14 Lawn, etc. Lace H —Choice selection S9 tU res, -Novelty Cloth. Bureiias, Zybeiincs 0 I .a/If Ki v and cuffs, others with plush shawl *T ■ / ,wv CUKOaiO an d embroider pa of beautiful pat- and Velour. Also Khaki Cloth. Full knd lialf T j collar. Patch pockets and button ■ W ▼ : k and * . . lined. Some quilted. A.I colors. Belted a ■ 9|l trimming. Worth to $20.00 each, at cj 7M fr->m BH trimmed. Special terns, hpecial rri- < and collar models of self material, Km { m "■• "o to 26 SpeciS ™ Friday and Satur- day and Saturday. ! * .rim and piwo. . f° r I day 2 yards Si How Is Distance of Fixed Star Measured? By Garrett P. Sorvlss "How is the distance or a fixed star from the earth measured? If it is on the principle of triangles, can the diameter of the earth's orbit be taken for the base? If so, I cannot conceive how any greater distance than about twelve times this diameter can be measured.—Edward Kelly, Chicago. It is done, as you say, "on the principle of triangles," i. e. trigo nometry, but you enormously under estimate the distance that can be measured in that way. Twelve times the diameter of the earth's orbit would be about 2,200,000,000 miles, which is 600,000.000 miles less than the dis tance of the planet Neptune from the sun. The parallactic angle corre sponding to a distance twelve times the length of the base would be about 4% degrees, or more than eight times the apparent diameter of the full RARRISBTJRG TELEGRAPH moon. \ Now, It is possible for the most experienced observers, with the best instruments, to measure with a fair degree of approximation parallaxes of only l-20th of a second of arc, or 1- 72,000 th of a degree, In which case the object must be at a distance equal to about 4,125,000 times the length of the base line. This would show that the star wns about 380,000,000,000m11es away, which is quite a small distance for a star, the fact being that the vast majority of the stars are apparently so remote that their parallaxes drop far below the range of measurement. Atoms are far below the limit of human vision, yet we are nble to determine their probable size by In direct means and similarly, we can infer the distance of stars that are too remote to show a parallax. It is interesting to reflect that If the earth did not travel In a large orbit around the sun no star would show & perceptible parallax and we should be Ignorant of the real di mensions of the universe. In this respect sonio of the other planets would ofTer better and some worse points of observation than the earth. Mercury, for Instance, the diameter of whoso orbit Is only 72.000,000 miles (that of the earth being 186.000,000), would be a poor place for the parallax measurer, while Neptune, with an orbit 5,583,000,000 miles In diameter, would give him a base so long that he could probably sound the profoundest depths of the visible univrse. There is an interesting method of determining the distance of stars without the use of a baseline—i. e., without knowing their parallax. This method is applicable, however, only to certain binary stars —i. e., double stars in revolution around their com mon centre of gravity. When, as happens In a few cases, such stars can be observed, both visually and spec trographically, their distance can be JANUARY 2, 1919. deduced in the following way, as outlined by A. 8. Eddington: "From the visual observations the period and the other elements of the orbit can be found. The dimensions, however, are all expressed in arc— i. e„ In linear measure, divided by tbo unknown distance of the star. From these elements we can calculate, for any date, the relative velocity in the line of sight of the two components, but this will also be expressed as linear velocity divided by the un known distance. But by comparing this result with the same relative velocity mensured spectrographically and therefore directly In linear mea sure, the distance of the system can be derived." To illustrate the principle under lying the above. Imagine that, through a telescope, you should see two birds chasing each other round and round a track in the air. and keeping at diametrically opposite points of the circle, both their distance and the size of the track being unknown to you. By simple observation you could ascertain- the time that It took them to complete a circuit, and also the angulur diameter of the track. Then, ir you could, by any means, ascertain the actual speed, say In feet per second of the birds, you would be able to turn the ungular measure of the di ameter or the track Into linear measure, and from that calculate the distance. Now, in the case of a binary star, the actual speed In the orbit Is giveu by the shifting of the sppctral lines In the star's light, in case the orbit happens .to He in a plane nearly parallel to the line of sight. When that is the case one of the two stars is approaching the eye while the other Is receding, and the amount of the shifting of the spectral lines due to these motions of approach and re cession determines the speed. There are other ways of Inferring the distance of stars too remote to yield a parallax, so that our knowl* edge of the size of the universe la not confined to what we can gain from measurements based on trigonometry. The results, it is true, are only ap proximate, but It may be said that they are below rather than above the truth. It is a probable conclusion that tha nearest parts of the Milky Way are aa much as 100,000,000,000,000,000 (a hundred thousand trillions) of miles from the earth, so that If its stars should suddenly be snuffed out the train of light waves stretching from, them to us would continue to enter our eyes for about 17,000 years aftef It was cut off at the other end. U-BOAT CHASERS REACH MALTA Valctta, Island of Malta, Jan. 2.—* Thirty American submarine chasers have arrived here from Corfu. They, will leave for home January 7 or 8. The crews will be given an op- I portuntty to visit Italy and France oh ' the homeward voyage. 7
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