South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-22
Conspicuous Thrift

In its recognition Of the import
ance OF the relationship between the
kitchen and the body polite, the
government has raised the value Of
domestic work IN Women's eyes, as
well as in the estimation of the ma
ton. announced Mrs. Walter Nc
Nab Miller. first vice president Of
the National American Woman
suffrage association and chairman
OF the suffrage thrift section, who
has just returned from trip
through the south wnere she has
been inaugurating a widespread
campaign for the elimination Of
waste. Mrs. Miller told with en-
thusiasm OF the constructive work
being done By the suffragists Of the
south.
Everywhere I found that suffra-
gists were pointing the way 20 patri-
otto Service by example and precept,
taking the lead in conservation
work. elimination Of waste and slim
ulai!on Of production. Also / learn
ed that. everywhere in this work. the
local suffrage leagues have had the
cooperation OF chambers of com
merce and state agricultural depart
ments. as well as the benefit Of coun-
~ demonstrations"
The basis OF Mrs. Miller's patriotic
program for stretching the nations
food resources around the world II
cooperation. community action for
efficient work, and individual re-
sponsibility, which places the vel
fare OF all above individual indul
gence. for keeping a steady market.
mo patriot will hoard food and no
patriot will buy on a short market"
she said
The most important step in food
conservation is the realization that.
In so far as possible. each section OF
the country must be self supporting
To the metropolitan thought, the
south seems 10 afford a vast area for
production. But the south, where
cotton Is the only crop upon which
money is advanced. imports nearly
all it's provisions, depending for sus
tenance upon the western and
middle western states. IN Columbia.
Of the food is home grown. In 1916.
South Carolina imported sS9.000.000
worth Of foodstuffs and North Caro-
lima S7s. 100000.
The suffrage thrift leagues I ad
vised 10 seek, first OF all the aid Of
the local chambers OF commerce in
making a comprehensive food sur
vey OF their districts. 10 find out what
was being produced. how much was
Imported and what steps could be
taken 70 increase production. We are
encouraging 20 this end, school gar
dens and back lot reclamation every
where. as we'll as larger agricultural
activities.
"In the larger places we have es-
tablished community canning centers
under the direction Of experts. Local
organizations have raised money in
various ways 70 finance the under
taking. In many places they have
arranged TO take charge OF the en-
tire output, and 70 secure a market.
Last year. through lack Of organiza
ton and poor management girls
canning clubs under the direction
OF state bureaus. often found that
their products often brought less
than the market price. Suffra gists
propose 10 bring about "A readiust-
ment. put the canning industry on
q business basis. and. through
buy at-home' campaign, 20 capture
the home market, automatically re
leasing for consumption elsewhere
large quantities OF imported food
stuffs. In smaller towns. where Il is
impra cticahle 20 form canning clubs.
demonstration will be given a.
suffrage headquarters and similar
effort at marketing viii he made
Probably no feature OF the
suffrage thrift work has created
such favorable interest or done more
70 further the cause Of suffrage than
our suffrage markets II is hard -
saw who are the most pleased. the
housekeepers or the country women.
who are thus brought into direct
contact with each other. Between
and 70 O'Clock. on the first morning
that the suffrage municipal marke'
IN Aiken was opened. $50 country
women registered. Most OF the
country women are so delighted at
the practical work suffra gists are
doing that they Immediately Join
local leagues
NO. we don't meet with a great
deal OF opposition from merchants.