South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-11-25
Womans Share in the National Defense--
Her Part in Preparing for Possible Confie
More Than 100000 Women Are Now Modified in Gainfu
Occupations Out Of an Army Of 100000 How This Femi-
nine Army Can Be Organized Conserve While Men Destroy

S-Lists Of women In industry who under
changed economic conditions could
be used in government and indus
trial employment OF new kinds. re-
placing men.
4-Investigation OF employment resources
in the event that usual local indus
tries were temporarily crippled;
making work for destitute, etc.
5-Investigation OF possible work for con-
valescents, cripples, etc, psrticu-
larly the blind, who must be taught
TO earn self-support, and for others
invaded home.
6-Provision for care OF children whose
mothers must work to replace the
husband gone to the front.
7-Furthering the comfort OF the fighting
men-facilitating methods OF COM
municatiOn with families, supplying
Injuries, tobacco, etc.
Each one OF the divisions here given could
be under the guidance OF a subcommittee OF
the %oman'c defense league II VIII be seen AT
once how valuable such lists as those IN.
dicated would be in case Of war. The build
ings, workers volunteers for emergency use
could then be instantly turned to with waste
and delay of time. The lists of women in in.
dustry who could be used to replace men would
be particularly vital. For instance, there
in this country at this moment thousands OF
women making powder and munitions for the
allies. How many more details of such manu-
tacture could be turned over TO women in the
event OF some Of the men now manufacturing
In industrial plants were called 10 the cOlors?
The cooperation of manufacturers would be
needed to ascertain what work could be done
by women-as making boxes and containers.
packing. etc. Such and such munition plant
might estimate that t%o-ffths of it's work could
be done by women another might give diff
ferent figure, all resulting in retaining the in
dustrial equilibrium when war caused an
economic upheaval
To further facilitate this end, there could be
established by the Womans National Defense
League a wOmans registry bureau.
Here would register all women in all kinds OF
industries who might undertake the work OF
men To-day in England such a registry
bureau is in active operation. For instance.
Mrs Baxter" enters the bureau, and says
that she is willing to work for the govern
ment From her strong physique and expert
ence as a probation officer the registry
bureau decides she is most fitted to be de-
tailed to detention camp to help keep order.
gOverness, and wishes to register her help.
She is detailed 10 care for children of sol
diers in day nursery maintained by the gov
eminent. Another young Miss Lucy" wishes
TO help and she is made girl scout, and so it
goes. each woman being placed in the position
where she is given fullest opportunity to do
the work best fitted to her. Other women
become policewomen, conductors. farmers, or
take their place in factories.
So, too, in this country, a registry bureau
for women workers would at once be OF assist
ance Any war scare" is sufficient TO throw
thousands Of workers out of employment It
is therefore most necessary to hnd new or
part-time employment for those so in need
In many cases women out of employment could
be put at making hospital supplies, clothing,
kits for soldiers, or other government industry.