Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-15
10000 Women Modified for immediate War Activities

Russia. Poland. Serbia, the Caucasus.
Mesopotamia, Montenegro. France.
Italy and Uganda In New York city
alone 1t has kept 400 women busy and
sef-supportins in making garments.
Carloads of grain have been sent into
Mexico. In June, 1916, when the mo-
Utilization order was issued, the society.
which had long been preparing for
such emergencies, under the advice of
the highest military authorities. was
able to offer relief to dependent fami-
lies of militiamen and to furnish such
supplies not provided by the govern
ment as would add to the comfort and
prevent illness Of the troops at the
border.
More than 1000 women were employ
ed making hospital supplies and moro
than one thousand in sewing. some Of
these being wives of Puardsmen Sol
diers were fed by the women Of the so
c'ety. canteens established at various
entraining stations, a hospital unit to
take care of 500 men was equipped and
sent to the front Several motor trucks
and motor cycles were provided. BY
means Of the service pledges and cross
fndexfng, houses that could be used as
hospitals, motor cars, horses, personal
service and material aid Of all sorts
were secured ready for use. One state
chapter provided a roster of all the
Ruardsmen who were sent to the Dor
der, together with the names Of their
they were In need of help.
The society has worked with immigrants
at Ellis Island, sent out 200 nurses to
combat the infantile paralysis epidemic
last summer. Then it followed up this
work by again sending nurses to the
homes of the children recovering FROM
this scourge of childhood, furnishing
braces and convalescent treatment. At
the present time. in New York alone, the
society has 100 children under treatment
by Its nurses and it is arranging to edu-
cate under teachers OF handicraft the
older children to make salable articles.
One of the most recent and far-reaching
efforts is the establishment of commit
tee for the international revival of in
dustral arts It's aim is to cooperate
with artistic people In France and Eng
land to give employment to competent
women who can be taught to manufacture
textiles furniture, embroderfcs. objects
of decorative nature based on the best
examples of artistic design to be found in
Europe. Then they plan to establish a
market in America for these articles and
train American women to continue the
work here This plan will be blessing
to the people Of Europe since 1t will ma
tertaliy aid in the reconstruction abroad
and at the same time aid American indus
trial development. Mrs. William Alexan-
is chairman Of this committee and is
abroad starting this work.
HOW is this work Accomplishment" Mrs.
Van Ripper was asked.
I'VE have fine system Of organization,
started in 1915 with the object Of mobilz-
ing women throughout the country for
patriotic service To accomplish this the
society. which is a permanent. non-parti-
san, purely patriotic body. has organized
these chapters in different states. which
are the centers Of the local activity. They
are expected to stimulate A,nericanism in
such varied forms Of work and study as
shall carry out the aims Of the society,
cooperating with and helping to CO.
ordinate existing workers and agencies
Our work Is all constructive, and our
women are modified for these activ-
tiles by means of service pledges. Chap
tors have the same activities and mo-
Billie their members by the pledges.
For example. IN case Of an explosion
or any public disaster a Jersey chapter
has fifty beds ready in private houses
for occupancy at one-half hours notice
and nurses to attend the injured pa
TENTS Automobiles for transportation
of the injured have been provided. and
there is 4 telephone committee who,
upon notice, will round up ten women
each In this way headquarters will
only be Obliged to notify the teleph on 9
committee instead of the entire mem
bership of the society. In the event of
disaster each telephone captain notifies
the members VINO are under her charge.
THE commissary Is ready to see that
soldiers are properly fed and cared for
when going through town, and the
women are prepared to supply canned
meats and beans or other articles of
food and coffee. If desired. for use en-
route.
I'VE are glad to have achieved this
much, but an endless task remains to
be done by the women Of America, and
feel as II 1 could not impress the OBJ
legation of patriotism every American
born man and woman owes to the land
of his or her birth forcibly enough In
a recent editorial in New York paper
are these words, To make an impress
sion on the public mind. thing must
be said often. In my public talks ]
have tried to Impress upon my hearers
that this thought Of servtos-univsrsal
and individual service, which Is the
meaning Of patriotism act on