Middletown transcript., 1917-04-07
GOVERNOR PLANS
W0MAN'S BOARD
will Appoint War Commission
Like Mems
TO CONSOLIDATE EFFORTS
Gardening, Preserving and Economy
In Dress Would Help In
the Fight He
Thinks.
Annapolis

Governor Harrington has appointed
. women's preparedness commission
corresponding to the Preparedness and
Survey Commission, for the purpose OF
utilizing in full measure the ability of
the women Of the State to aid largely
in the work OF economic preparation
for war, and also their ability to aid
in some measure in certain phases OF
the military work.
There will be State commission,
composed chiefly of women at the
head of big organizations and other
women prominent in public work In
addition, there will be committee in
each county Of five women, the chair
man of which will be member of the
State commission. This is the plan
followed in organizing the Prepared
ness and Survey Commission, and the
county census committees.
The Governors plan to organize the
women arises from the fact that the
deeper he and his advisers have got
into the work of preparation for war
the more they have realized that
economic preparation is of almost In
calculable Importance. In fact, they
have come to see that broad, far-sight-
ed mobilization of all economic re-
sources is an essential prerequisite to
military success, and that the most
elaborate strictly military strength
would be futile in real fight, unless
1t were supported by proportionate
economic strength.
The Preparedness and Survey Com
mission has evolved or has under con-
sideration many moves designed to
organize, strengthen and tighten the
States economic resources. But the
Governor feels that there is work In
this field which the men can never do
alone, but which the women OF the
State, If given responsibility and
proper facilities, can do excellently.
He believes that the women, by con-
certed action, can do much to forward
the movement to intensity cultivation
of the land in order to increase the
production of foods; that they can
guide the home garden work so as to
produce those foods which will have
the greater value in supplying the
body with strengthening, fibre-build'
ing properties; that in the homely,
old-fashioned work of preserving fruits
and vegetables they can add very ma
terially to the store of foods which
will be set aside for the winter; and
that they can develop sentiment
throughout the State against extravag-
ance in clothes which would lessen IN
large degree the usual waste of
wealth.
All of this is apart from the serv-
ices which usually are expected OF
women in war-such as making things
which would add to the comfort and
health of the soldiers in the field, max
ing bandages and other articles needed
in the treatment of the wounded, see
ing that the families of needy soldiers
are kept in comfort and providing for
the dependents of men killed in bat
tie. In this work, which is expected
of women, the Governor believes that
much better results will be had if the
women of the State are organized url.
der competent leadership, and are
given opportunity to plan for united
work.
Governor Approves.
When Governor Harrington was In
formed of President Wilson's message
to Congress in favor Of a declaration
that a state Of war exists between the
United States and Germany he said
that he most heartedly approved the
Presidents stand.
''This was the most sensible course
for the President to pursue" said the
Governor. Indeed, the President
ought to be commended by the Amer
lean people not only for what he is
now doing, but what he has done since
the outbreak of the war with Euro
peans. His success in steering our
country free of war for over two years
has been truly marvellous. l shall CO.
operate with him in everything in my
power in raising an army Of 100000
men,"
The Governor will spend today at his
offices in this city.