THE WOMEN'S ANTI-STRIKE PROCESSION [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—I am very glad to see from your remarks in the para- graph of your issue of April 24th about the Women's Pro- cession that you do realize how strong is the feeling amongst working-class women with regard to strikes and lockouts. It surprises me that anyone should have believed for one moment the suggestion that the women who took part in the demon- stration of April 17th had their fares to London paid for them, or that they were generally provided for by the organizers of the demonstration.
As one who marched in the ranks, I should like to tell you, from the conversations which I had with my fellow-marchers, that the sacrifices these women made to take part in the demonstration were very great. Not only did many of them pay the whole of their own fares, but there was not one who paid less than half ; and in the cases where assistance was given to enable them to take part, the funds for this subsidy were raised by whist drives, dances and other means, which entailed much work from the women themselves. In one case I heard of a miner's wife who not only paid her own fare, but also that of her poorer neighbours. In all cases the women bore the total expenses of their food during the day.
I think there are many people who would help this move- ment financially if they were made to realize how splendidly the wives of the workers have come forward in the effort to put an end to the trouble and insecurity which the industrial upheavals since the War have caused.—I am, Sir, &c., A. C. G. WRIGHT.
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