The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-09-01
REGISTRATION OF WOMEN.
Purpose of Movement Explained In
Public Reply TO Inquiry.

Public Reply TO Inquiry.
The objects and advantages of the
proposed registration of women are
explained in a statement made pubic
by Miss Hilda Phelps, chairman OF
the woman's committee of the Loulsl-
ana division of the National Council
of Defense. A New Orleans news
paper referred to Miss Phelps office
communication from one of its sub
scribers, asking for information as to
the registering of women and ques-
tioning the value of such procedure.
So many similar inquiries have been
received that a great deal OF time
would be required to answer lndl-
viduals at length, hence single pub
| lie reply to all of them is made
through the medium of the press.
Miss Phelps statement, addressed to
the writer in question, is as follows:
Dear Madam AS you sign your
self "a Worker for the U. S. A. you
evidently have the welfare OF our
country at heart, and oppose registra--
ton simply because, as your card
makes clear, you have not received
sufficient information on the subject
to feel that registration will be OF
definite value. AS your position IS
identical with that Of great many
other intelligent, patriotic women, we
are answering your card through the
press in the hope that our message
will reach all the women to whom
these points have not been made clear.
The government is preparing FOR
three years of war, and the work OF
the National Council of Defense is
based on the governments plans.
Every state has been asked to secure
a registration of it's women, the OBJ
jects being as follows:
/. To get full estimate Of the Wo-
man power of America at the outset
of the war. Failure to get similar
census in England and France, I'M
mediately upon the declaration Of
war, seriously hampered their indus
tries and caused delay in preparation
and tremendous financial loss. I'M
organized patriotic effort could &C
complish but little. We can profit by
their mistake. Our aim is to have at
once complete statistics as to the Wo-
men who are trained to take up the
work of the men, or who wish TO tram
along lines of work needed by their
country, and also to obtain a list OF
the women who will volunteer their
services for philanthropic work.
2. To secure the means OF getting
in direct touch with women whenever
the Governments defense program
concerns them.
The advantages Of the registration
are:
/. From the patriotic standpoint
every woman wishing to serve hef
country in the crisis will be placed
where she will be of most use.
2. Every effort will be made to CO.
operate with business houses and gov
eminent offices so that women who
need employment, now or later, may
secure employment.
8. In emergency, training classes
will be organized, free or Tor the
smallest possible fee, and many Wo-
men who register for training may
thus have the opportunity to better
themselves financially.
4. The housekeepers will be IN po-
sition to get suggestions and great
deal of valuable information that has
a bearing upon the home. It IS hui
manly impossible for any one to run
her home independent of community
conditions and demands, and IN
crisis like this it is of utmost import
ance that the government be in dlrect
touch with the hornemakers, as Well
,r with +bo h11cipacs women.
The state of Louisiana, realizing the
need for a full record of the woman
power Of the state, passed the law CIV
ing the State Council of Defense full
power to require registration of Wo-
men from the age of Is up. The state
council has decided to have such
registration. The governor of Louis
lana is to have personal charge Of the
registration, and the Woman's commit
tee is entrusted with the organization
work and actual registering of the
women. It is hoped the women OF
Louisiana, true to their ideals Of pa
triotism, will respond to this move
ment. The woman's committee has
put in concise form the reasons for
this registration, assured that Louisi-
ana women will give their full coop
Grafton. The names Of those women
who refuse to register will be sent by
the woman's committee to the state
council, in whose power it lies to take
such action as it may deem necessary.
Note-It must be distinctly under
stood that although the registration
IS required, the offer of service is
purely voluntary. No woman need
offer any assistance unless she SO de-
sires.
AS soon as the organization of the
state is completed the governor will
ssue proclamation in which the date
If registration will be definitely an
bounced.
hope this letter will present to you
he true value of registration, and .
hat you will aid the woman's commit j
zee in this most necessary undertake +
ng. / am sure your assistance will
,e of real value to us. Cordially, :
(Signed) HILDA PHELPS, !.
Chairman. :