The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-23
National Suffrage Association
Ready to Assume Task.
Service League FavOrs Govt
Do 1t Thru Red Cross.
HER PART As GREAT AS MANS
Warns Govt Against Blunder
of Ignoring Women.
Strain, Equip and Empower"
To Do Their Share at Home.

l New York, May eat is the gov
ernment's duty to organize a depart
ment as comprehensive and efficient
as the war department itself. for the
victualing. housing, medical care and
clothing Of war mothers and children
Summed up, that was the verdict to-
day of two national woTnen's organi-
cations with headquarters in New
Ycrk-the Women's League for Ma
tional Service and the National Amer
lean Woman Suffrage association.
They suggested two plans whereby
the government. which is now seeking
a solution of the problem. can use
national organizations already in eX
istence as a basis for this womens
war department.
The Service League favors re-or-
ganization of the National Red Cross
under government control, to shoulder
the task
The suffragists favor the develop
ment of their own national, state,
county, city, village and election dis
trict organiza ton of two million wo-
men to handle the work for the gov
eminent.
Both bodies stressed their attitude
that there must be no hint of char
ity or philanthropy about this work"
Army Half of Cows Duty.
THE government" said Mrs. Cof-
fin van I:enssalaer of the Womans
League organization committee today.
has discharged only half its duty to
the nation when 1t has trained, equip
ped and sent it's soldiers to fight
1t must also train, equip and en-
power its women to do their share at
home in many ways and it must pro-
tect the children already born and see
that those who will be born have ev-
cry opportunity to grow straight and
strong that they may take their faith
ers place.
This applies not only to the wives
and children of fighting men, but TO
all the women and children of the ma
ton who need help and training.
'How this work is organized is I'D
to the government. Our league is
pledged to support the National Red
Cross and if the work is turned over
to the Red Cross that will suit US.
Both the Red Cross and ourselves are
behind the government in however it
does this, just SO it does it.
The government owes a double
obligation to the women. For they
not only give up their loved ones to
fight in the trenches, but they also
face many difficulties at home"
Miss Maud Young of the National
American Woman Suffrage associa-
ton outlined that bodys attitude in
the matter.
Govt. OVerIOOks Importance of 1t.
THE development of woman power
in the nation and the protection of
the feminine home forces by the gov
eminent is a far more vital problem
III this war than the government
seems to have realized" said she.
IF we bungle the problem of WON
an-power at the beginning. the nation
Will seriously handicap itself in this
war for long time to come.
The two million women of our or
ganizatiOn are alive to the fact that
the woman at home will play as great
a part IN the winning of the war as
will our men at the front Women
are going to be called upon to labor
in the fields, the factories, the bust
ness offices, the professions and the
administration of local and municipal
affairs.
They are going to be called upor
to bear children and to give up these
they have already borne.
Gould much more be asked? 1:
there a greater call to the colors?
And would it not be an unpardon.
able as we'll as a fatal blunder on the
part of the government if it ignored
its women fighters?
"Our organization is equipped anC
ready to take up this task. We are
ready to become the Women's Wa
department of the United States gov
eminent.
But whether the task is assigned
to US, or to others, we stand equipped
and ready to help"