The Washington times., 1916-03-08
Civic Federation Launches
Campaign to Continue on
Two Continents.
MRs. AsToR ON MISSION
Employment Of Women In Such
Factories Cause Of Interest
in New Work.

An active campaign to promote well
fare work for munition employees has
lust been launched by Joint commit
ice Of men and women from the welfare
department, National Civic Federation
Mrs. John Astor, just before sailing
for Europe last week. agreed to assist
the welfare department Of the federation
by securing information to aid In the
development OF It's work in foreign
countries.
Mrs. Astor also has become a member
Of the Joint committee from the well
fare department. which aims to improve
the working conditions OF the thousands
Of workers now employed In munitions
plants here and abroad.
In Foreign Plants.
Besides the work to be done In this
country at the request Of employers.
the Joint committee on welfare work
for munition factory employees has re-
ceived requests from foreign govern
ments, which felt the need OF improv-
ing conditions In their plants. This
phase of the work Is that In which Mrs:
Astor 10 particularly interested, ana II
she finds employers willing to cooper
ate In a practical way experts VIII DO
sent over to assist her.
one reason why the work 10 so Inn
portant in Europe, II Is explained,
because women have taken the place Oh
men in all Industrial activities. Future
generations will be endangered unless
these women are given the best physi-
The creation of the committee Ia the
result OF unusual demands for assls-
| tance from both employers and en-
| ployes Of munitions plants In this
| country. The welfare department OF
| the federation has frequently under
taken a study of conditions In special
trades.
Purpose of Work.
At one time 1t looked into conditions
In New York department stores. on
another occasion 1t surveyed condi-
tions in Southern cotton mills. and 1t
co-operated with the Government in
making recommendation for the better
ment OF workers on the Isthumus Of
| Panama.
work for the benefit of men and wom-
| en- employed In munitions factories Ia
| to relieve the strain and tension under
which the employees labor. and to
maintain a prime physical condition.
/ This includes medical welfare work.
emergency hospitals, rest rooms. VEN
tilation devices, proper drinking water
| fountains. adequate lighting and other
| health arrangements.
The committee of the federation is
1 equipped to provide experts to make
| plant inspections and suggest installa-
lions covering the present necessities for
physical welfare OF employees.
Occupational Training.
l.. A. Coolidge. chairman of the well
fare department, himself an employer
Of labor, has been In communicat ton
! la, t.la
which have sought expert suggestions
from the federation's welfare depart
ment.
Advice already has been given on oc-
cupational training of women who have
gone into munition plants 10 take the
place OF men called to the front. This
advice also included recommendations
similar to those made for munitions
plants in this country.
In reply to inquiries from one great
industrial plant, r. NJ. Easley, chair
man OF the executive committee. sent
a reply similar to that sent to all con-
Germs asking for suggestions.
Scope of Work.
This reply explains the scope OF the
departments work and indicates its re-
lations to employers and employees. An
extract from this letter follows:
In the stress OF preparing. equip
ping and organizing for the manufac-
ture of war munitions. 1t Is possible
that you may not yet havo given atten-
ton to the very important factor oi
devlsing and installing arrangements
for the health and comfort OF your en-
ployes.
ITO relieve the strain and tension un-
der which the employees must work UNI
der present conditions Is to secure a
d steadiness OF attendance and the main
tenance OF prime physical condition
Both are essential to effective produc-
ton.
''Lassitude and lack OF detinitoncss ir
action bring a diminution OF economic
efficiency of the factory force. This
may be prevented by providing for the
convenience and physical comfort OF
the employees without great expendi.
ture. In fact. certain features OF the
welfare work will result in a large saw.
ing"