Evening star., 1901-02-18
MEMORY OF MISS WILLARD
MASS MEETING UNDER THE Al
SPICES OF w. &. T.U.
Addresses and Music as Features-
Discussion of Army Canteen-
Work for Soldiers.

| A mass meeting under the auspices of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union OF
| the District Of Columbia was held yester-
| day afternoon at the First Congregational
| church, by request of the National W. c.
L. u, for the purpose of commemorating
the life and work of Miss Frances Willard,
| the well-known temperance leader, who
| died February II, 1899.
Mrs. Clinton Smith, president of the local
organization, presided. The singing of an
| appropriate hymn was followed with the Of
fering of an invocation by Mrs. Gen. Bidwell
| OF California, whose husband was some
years ago the candidate of the prohibition
party for President of the United States.
| Mrs. Newman, widow of Bishop Newman,
| read selection from the Scriptures, at the
| conclusion Of which Mrs. Smith stated the
! object Of the meeting At that time she
| said, similar meetings were being held by
| 10000 w. c. T. Unions located in every Sec
| ton Of the United States.
| A solo, Who Are These Arrayed in
White?' was sung by Mrs. Alice j. Harris
of Boston, musical director of the National
w. c. T. U. Later Mrs. Harris sang a
solo, Lead, Kindly Light, Amid the En-
| circling Gloom"
| Addresses were made by Rev. DR.. Hart
sock and Mrs. NJ. D. Ellis, and a paper on
the life Of Miss Willard was read by DR..
Hartsock. After relating a number of in
cidents showing the deplorable nature OF
the lQuOT Dr. HartSOCk preQlCted
that the time will come when saloons will
be opposed by the church, by political opin-
lon and by law. Then the saloons will be
turned over to the w. c. T. u, and If 1t
cannot abate the nuisance they will have
to be turned over in turn to Mrs. Nation
with her hatchet"
Mrs. Ellis referred to the death Of Miss
Willard, and said the effect Of her example
was SO great that the names OF 1900 new
members were added to the rolls last year.
Mr.. F. M. Bradley Of the Sons Of Tenn
perance said he was gratifled at the abol-
ishment of the army canteen, and said the
soldiers could now spend their money for
other things than beer.
Comfort Bags for Soldiers.
Announcement was made that before the
soldiers now at Fort Myer, who have been
ordered to the Philippines, leave for the
far east each one will be furnished with
comfort bag by the local W. c. T. U.
Upon their arrival in the Philippines they
will be met by members Of the local union
there.
After the addresses were finished Mrs.
Ellis was recalled to tell of a letter recently
received by the War Department from
Mrs l.. NJ. N Stevens, president Of the
National w. c. T. U. Friends of liquor
in the canteen, she said, aver that having
removed the beer the chance of improving
the soldiers diet by the percentage realized
from its sale is gone also 1t is understood
that more variety in the rations of the SOL
ulerS Is desirable, even from a standpoint
of health. Mrs. Ellis said that the soldiers
desire a few vegetables and a little more
sugar and lard She thought this only
reasonable, as this country Is so rich in
products of the soil. Tons of veget al bles
We're marketed last fall at prices so low
that farmers do not feel repaid for the
labor of cultivation.
Letter From War Department.
The response to Mrs Stevens letter was
follows:
Madam: The department is in receipt
of your letter of the 2sth ultimo, in which
on behalf of the National Wonan's Chris
tian Temperance Union. you urge upon it's
consideration the great necessity of MAX
ing the post exchange attractive and
safe center for the soldiers. where every
thing required for their recreation and COM
fort may be found. Replying thereto, the
Secretary of War desires me to say that,
heartily concurring in your conclusions, the
War Department will lose time in car
rying the same into effect. whenever Con-
gress shall have made the necessary ap-
preparation therefor
The letter was signed by George Andrew,
assistant adjutant general.
Mr.. Frances Marion Bradley proposed
expression of sentiment be formulated and
proper authorities in regard TO an improve
ncnt in the soldiers mess.
Mrs. Hartsock presented resolution
Wcscott and Mrs. Catching appointed as
lrh cor nit