Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-03

0UNE will see the reconvening
in Washington of one Of the most
important committees Of women
ever called together to consider a
question. This is the committee on
women's defense work. which was ap-
pointed last month by the council of
national defense to consider and advise
how the assistance of the women OF
America may be made available in the
prosecution of the war.
The woman who will preside over this
second meeting of the committee is DR..
Anna Howard Shaw, honorary president
of the National American Woman Suf-
frage Association. 1t was not in her
CAPACITY of an advocate of woman suf-
fraee, however, that DIR. Shaw was ask
ed to head this body of women. but be-
cause of her power as a leader. her
knowledge of women's affairs and her
capacity for organization. and when
she was called to fill this position a few
weeks ago DIR. Shaw was rendered one
of the highest tributes ever paid to a
woman's ability.
4
The eight other members of the COM
mittee, who also were appointed as In
lions with which they were associated,
are: Mrs. Philip N. Moore of st. Louis.
president of the National Council of
Women; Mrs. Josiah E. Cowles of Cali
fornia, president OF the General Feder-
Wetmore of Rhode Island, chairman OF
the National League for Women's Serv-
ice; Mrs Carrie Chapman Gait. presi-
dent of the National American Woman
nj mi OF "a
Funk Of Illinois; Mrs. Stanley McCor-
mick of Boston; Mrs. Josiah r. Lamar
of Atlanta, Ca president of the Ma
tional Society of Colonial Danes, and
Miss Ida NJ. Tarbell OF New YORK, pup
licist and writer.
The call, coming to her as it did with
out the slightest foreknowledge, DR.: Shaw
received as she does all things. with the
utmost composure. and calmly sent her
acceptance of the new responsibility
placed without warning upon her Shout
ders to the Secretary of War, following
this by dispatching kilograms to the MEM
bers Of her committee, whose names had
been furnished her TO- meet he n t IN sat
at the time the appointment came. con-
Quoting an extended campaign for SUI
frage but Immediately setting aside per-
sonal and party affairs she came at THIS
more important call to do her part for the
1t was characteristic of Dr. Shaw that
although she had Travelled all night in
coming north, she accepted an invitation
to speak next day to body of women
who desired to meet her at the suffrage
headquarters in Washington, as it was
also Characteristic that she saw repre-
sentative Of the press and cordially grant
ed the interview requested
you know that heretofore my whole
idea has been in opposition to war;" said
DIR. Shaw, pleasantly, but now that it has
come l feel it to be my duty, with that
of every other citizen of our country, to
give the cause every bit Of energy and
strength of which l am capable. and as
far as possible shall, through this new
committee. begin at once to organize the
women of the country.
THE thing women most need today Is
inspiration. So many Of them do not yet
realize that we are in state Of war.
and rs a matter of fact one of the things
we have to do is to get women to know
that we are at war and that war is not a
picnic. We must make them see that our
obligation Is just as great as II the fight
Ing were over here. We don't know it yet.
but it must be impressed upon the women
OF the country and they must arise to
their duty. Women can do more than
pie. The resources of the country are
more needed in war than in peace and
women can do more than any other to
conserve these resources.
"A tremendous responsibility has been
placed upon US. and 1t Is for US to form
definite plans. and to act definitely. The
american people have much to learn, and
they need a lesson to teach them to be less
Wastefui and more industrious. They are
so easJ-going and slide along heedlessly
until 9 'ndittons become unbearable. This