The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-31
WOMEN IN THE
 HOUR OF NEED

That dream ahead holds the soldier
 up
 Through the storm of a ceaseless
 fight;
 When his lips are pressed to the
 wormwood cup,
 And clouds shut out the light"
 If this country should be involved in war, what would the women do?" is Ia question put by a writer in newspaper to its readers. The article goes on to state that ''the women Of America are far more helpless. less resourceful in such a crisis, than the women of Europe, etc."
 I dd not agree with that statement. In time of disaster American women have proven themselves Spartans to meet bravely the dangers that nave menaced, aye, overtaken, them, con- quering diversity with a courage that has stamped them as among the worlds bravest. Let me tell you what our women would do if trobules like those that have come to other unfor- tunate countries should fall upon us. There would be no weeping or waiting to take the heart and courage out of the men who love them, who are called to defend their country. On the contrary, they would irnbue them with courage to depart, fight and win. Wo- men who have lolled in the lap of lux ury all their lives would show their men folks that the lessons of the un- happy foreign women who have put their shoulders to the plough in time of need had not been lost upon them.
 All American women have been reading sand pondering deeply as they read, turning over. in their minds what they would do under like cir cumstances ,or strive to do. They have been delving deeply into the burning question of preparedness and each has her course of action pretty we'll mapped out. Every woman, from the wealthiest down, would learn from actual practice the lesson of how to sustain life on the least possible amount of food, it's values, what could be done without and the preparation of a meal. Women who have never sewn a stitch in their lives would take their place at the sewing machine, turning out the work at home as far as possible which is being done In factory and shop. that their tired sis- ter workers who had heretofore gained their livelihood in that manner could go forth to the fields doing their share of mans work in til1ing the soil to bring forth nfe-savine q. sustenance. They would i'll tine positions of their husbands, sons and brothers in count Ing room or office.
 Whatever the women of other coun- tries have been called upon to face and endure, our women would uncom- pladningly accomplish. There would be work for all willing hands to do and it will never be said of them that they shirked a responsibility.
 Our women have been learning the lesson that each and every one of them should be able to earn her own living in case of need by as many different occupations as they may nave wisely mastered in time of peace and plenty. Every woman and young girl should have mastered the knowl- sdge of becoming a good seamstress. She should have learned how to cook, now to give first aid and the impor- lance of being @ capable nurse not only to the wounded, but to those who are i'll at home. Luxurious living has made women <too dainty. Life in the open. camp life and it's rigid disci- pline. soon harden them 70 exposures of wind and weather, fitting them for possible hardships such as the women of war-swept countries are enduring.
 There is scarcely a thinking family In America where the mother and daughters have not been carefully considering how they could help the great cause in time of need. There are fe~ = any, positions now held by men that women would hesitate to tackle.
 The grave warning concerning pre- paredness has been taken to heart by all American women. In the hour of need they will show all nations what they can do.