Life — December 14, 1916 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“LIFE: Unanimous T was evening in the home of the noted suffragist. For the first time in six months or so mother and daughter met under their own roof, ‘and greeted each other with that cordial sympathy which we notice and are so moved about to-day between mothers and daughters, Mildred had been away to a eugenic college, and was, therefore, a little behind in her knowledge of what had been going on in the materialistic world. “Tell me, mother,” she asked, “what is this reserve cur- rency bill that has just been passed by some one?” Her mother’s face grew sad at the thought that her dear daughter, who had been educated away from home and was therefore supposed to know everything, should have been so derelict in her patriotic duty. Then she smiled cheerfully. “Ah, yes, I remember that you have not been able to devote your time to the recent changes in our government. Sit at my feet and I will explain. You see, we now have a reserve currency.” “And that prevents panics, doesn’t it?” “Exactly. It's all done by regional banks.” “I saw something in the papers about their making more morey.” “Exactly, dear. all pl: First there something of that sort. and arrange about the money. “A member of what?” “Why, a member of the regional bankers’ reserve credit system. It's perfectly simple when you once grasp it. Suppose you want some money— “Well, I do.” xactly, You have tried every way to get it, and you must have it. Your dear father has refused. You cannot get it. Then there is, of course, a panic. This is what Congress wanted to avoid. Before the new sy: tem you couldn't have gotten the money anyway. Now you just step into the nearest regional bank and they let you have all you want up to $180,000,000, or even more.” “Isn't that splendid! Do you just have it charged, mother?” “Well, it's just about like that. It's what they call elastic. You know we are reeking with gold.” “ Wonderful!” “Grand! The Board of Commissioners, or whatever they are called, makes all the banks members, then the whole thing is supervised in another way so there can be no cheating, you understand, and in case anyone needs money who is really responsible, why, they can always get it.” “Well, do they have to be identified?” “Why, certainly; but that is easy, Everybody knows me, for example.” “And could you get the money?” “Well, dear, you see, it’s like this. It hasn't all been arranged yet, but it is only a question of time when it cil Now listen patiently and I will make it is a board of commissioners, or They meet when it is necessary Every bank is a member.” HIS MISSING FRIEND THE END OF THE TRAIL be. The regional bankers, or whatever they are called, are at present all men. But in the course of time——” “Oh, yes, I see. As soon as we get the suffrage then we can elect women to the positions, and you or I, or any- one, can just go in and order money and have it all charged ——” “Exactly, dear. Which leads me to the main point.” She looked gravely into her daughter's face: “We may not meet again for some time, as I am just going on the stump, but I want you to take this new incen- ve to heart, and work for the cause day and night.” Don't worry, mother, I'm with you heart and soul. Now that your cause has a real practical aim like that, how can any sensible girl be anything else than a suf- fragist?” Kesse5 are the punctuation in the Wonder-Book of Courtship.