The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-18
MobiIizing the Women

The appeal which Herbert Z.
Hoover makes to the women Of the
country is based upon knowledge Of
a primary and essential virtue Of
womanhood, thrift. Man creates,
woman conserves. Mankind earns,
womankind saves. Extravaganza,
after all has been said, is a vice that
when practiced by women is encour-
aged by men as an advertisement
Of their own productive and provid-
ing powers.
It is q magnificent idea, that Of
existing the natural womanly ten
dency to thrift and economy in the
task Of conserving the food supply Of
the nation for the winning Of the
war. The suggestion that the saving
Of pound of bread a week by Amer
lean housewives will allow the ex-
portation of a hundred million
bushels to our allies is a concrete
example of what can be accomplished
in every household in the land. The
saving of cents a meal for each
person means billion dollars a year.
What has been needed is the as
surance that economy by one family
will not be neutralized by extrava-
gance on the part of ones neighbor.
That need will be met by organiza-
ton. It is proposed to enroll the
womanhood of the nation, to register
by voluntary action every house
keeper engaged in the personal con-
troll Of food. When assurance is
given that individual saving will
count in the general result, the work
of carrying out the suggestions made
Of a whestless day once a week, Of
saving meat by distributing smaller
portions to the eaters, Of saving
transportation through combining
purchases as far as possible to local
supplies, Of preaching the gospel Of
the clean plate and the empty gar
bage pail can be carried out.
The appeal of Mr.. Hoover comes at
an opportune time, when the Senate
and House will be both engaged in
pushing the food control bill to COM
pleti0n. The announcement Of the
personnel Of the opposition in the
Senate is somewhat reassuring. Pro-
German, anti-war, and anti-Adminis-
tration Senators form the little
group and they will have the nation
itself which is against Germany, in
favor Of the war and is supporting
tie President to contend with. Their
only hope is to delay action by talk
and it will not be very intelligent or
ineligible talk at that.
In this connection the House, in its
ability TO do business, will lead the
way. The war party in the House
is getting solidifed and its unofficial
leadership is becoming more clearly
recognized. The same organization
is slowly perfecting itself in the Sen
ate. Senators are more independent
Of the popular will, because six-year
terms are longer than two-year
terms. Nevertheless, the people have
long memories, and foolish opposi-
ton to necessary plans for defense
against the enemy has a cumulative
effect upon those memories. War
conditions have a sitting and selec-
tive result when it comes to the
choosing of public servants and rep
resentatives.
In the meantime, the mobilization
Of the women need not wait legisla-
tive action. The President has asked
Hoover to take charge in anticipation
of the powers to be conferred upon
him and he has begun his work.
Presidential critics seem hard to
please. They fought the embargo
and the priority shipment bills be-
cause they did not know who would
be put in charge by the President.
They are fighting the food control
measure because they do know. So
do the people, and what is more they
approve Of the selection Of Mr..
Hoover as the best man in the world
for his narticlllar ioh