The Idaho Republican., 1917-08-03


Just how many cooks, nurses and other
workers are In his district. That,
however, is not the object so much as|
the power of being in personal touch
with people. Mr.. Stowell emphasized
this when he received call for cooks,
to go with the Red Cross.
He sent out the notice to leaders,
in the election districts and shortly
afterward they had obtained a score
or more of the men desired. One
district leader himself persuaded two
men to enlist. 1t is this "neighbor-
hood" touch, this knowing everybody
in the apartment house or city block
or county township where you live,
that makes the possibilities Of the
plan so great, according to Mr.. Stow
ell.
Purposes OF the League.
1--WE are organizing that we may
serve the government of the United
States" said Mr.. Stowell, "and assist
to the full in this great fight for the
things which we have always carried
nearest our hearts-for democracy,
for the right Of those who submit to
authority to have a voice in their own
governments, for the rights and lib
critics of small nations, for universal
dominion of right by such concert
Of free peoples as shall bring peace
and safety to all nations and make the
world itself at last free.
"The Patriotic Service league aims
to form in every congressional dis
trict an organization to arouse, CO.
ordinate and direct on the non-mili-
tary side the patriotic efforts of all
citizens Of both sexes and of every
age, so that an early and successful
termination of the war may result.
"There are other war organizations
in existence, but not on local geo.
graphic lines. For an organization
such as the Patriotic Service league,
which is formed upon geographic lines,
there Is real need. These societies
with their particular objects will find
contact through this local unit of
neighbors with the individual men and
women in every household by whose
loyal service the nations task will be
accomplished. We are not competing,
we desire to cooperate.
"It is at this time obviously i'm
possible to name all Of the activities
in which the organization may be-
come engaged. But it is wise to state
some present specific duties.
Help Get Recruits.
"The government has called fOl
volunteers to fill the ranks of our ex-
listing military forces. We should see
that those recruits are obtained, due
attention being paid to exemptions.
"Cases of need in the families of
soldiers will occur. We should find
them and cooperate with the Red
Cross in aid.
1--WE must have bureau Of employ
| ment for those who have lost their
jobs and for those who must now seek
employment-wives and sisters.
preparing surgical dressings and
all the other activities Of the military
end of the Red Cross will demand
time and effort. Let us all see we do
our share.
"We must make sure we do not have
such juvenile delinquency as has oc-
cured in England and in Germany.
The Boy Scouts, the Junior Navy
league and the Junior Police must use
part of the boy power of the commun-
ity. The farmers Of the state need
$4,000 laborers.
"Food will be scarce. We must find
how to use it to the full. And we
must make known to all the methods
of this conservation. Only by intelli-
gent efforts for ourselves shall we be
able effectively to stand back Of those
younger than we who fight.
FINALLY, the Patriot Service league,
realizing it is more difficult in de-
mocracy than in an autocracy for the
government to initiate and to get
things done will bring home to every
citizen through speakers, and litera-
ture the necessity and the opportunity
for universal service in this fight for
democracy"
Prominent Men Enlist.
George w. Wickersham, former at,
torney general; Alton B. Parker, once
Democratic candidate for the presi-
dency; Oscar s. Straus, former am
bassador to Turkey-these are but a
few Of the men who are working to
extend the Patriotic Service league.
The league has now been organized
in the Seventeenth congressional. dis
trict, adjoining the Nineteenth, here,
and has been successfully inaugurated
in Boston.
"The plans for extension through
out the country have been formulated"
said Mr.. Stowell, $50 that 1t may be
possible to marshal the combined force
Of all loyal citizens behind the presi-
dent. The spread Of the league will
save an immense amount Of duplica-
ton. In each community the loyal Of
ficers will know their own people.
They will, for example, easily secure
cooks and attendants for departing
hospital units. They will find needed
Tboxy will x1iroaA oi,, ~