Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-08
WOMEN AND THE WAR
Bf FREDERIC J. HAskIN

WASH1NGTON, July S.--Washington
is hot with an intense midsummer heat
that scorchcs. and softens the asphalt
on the streets Electric fans and an
occasional thunderstorm are about all
that keep the population going. And
stili those owners OF elaborate limou-
sines and Pckinese dogs. our so-callcd
American society, do not leave.
Never has there been such a summer
social season In Washingtom In the
hrst place there are the various mis-
siohs from Foreign countries to keep
people here. Just as everybody is MAX
ing preparations to go to Newport or
bar farbor or the Catskills, a fresh
MISSION MISSION from some other country ar
rifes' immediately numerous social
events arc planned, and no one likes
TO miss them. Neither. as one society
woman puts It, do the ladies like to
desert Mrs Lansing I'm her hour of
need. AZ the wife OF the Secretary of
state she Is naturally expected To take
charge OF the entertainment of the
nations foreign guests, ii task to which
she liz we'll fitted by her personal tact
ana charm. hut In which she lis some
what handicapped by the heat. Il Is
nara 10 arouse society to any great
degree of energy in weather like this.
ana Just as people learn TO nronoun,e
the names OF one mission another ar
rtves-whiCh. Of course, Is extremely
fatiguing.
But II Is not often that Washington
society Is able to entertain anything
so interesting as mission, aud so
me oiS MONIES on Massachusetts Ave-
nue. ana sixteenth Street, which by
Iuiy are usually tightly boarded IN
ana packed away In camphor. remain
open. win large assortment of flags
"u..eTihS from the upstairs windows
me continuance of Congress-, too
mas kept large number Of senator's
ana congressmen's families here. The
country clubs, with their golf courses
serve to keen the nations legislators
supplied with plenty Of exercise and
mia diversion. For the women tho
season would be exceedingly dull II IL
were not for new and absorbing in
terest-war work.
On the women of leisure throughout
the United States tho war has placed
many responsibilities The WORKING
woman Will give all she can when she
gives her services to the covernmcn,
Very few will be able To give money
II woman works In II factory a war
once OF war hospital. she is doing
ner snare to win the war. II remains
tor the women Of leisure and wealth TO
take care OF these women and or mr.
soldiers
Society. Relief work.
washington society IL now enthusi-
astic over the prospect OF relief work
might be thought almost too en-
thusiastic, remembering that the naue
which Is kindled quickly usually lives
nut short time. Committees have
sprung up everywhere like tents reared
suddenly overnight. One day house
VIII he vacant, and the next IL will
pear Sign announcing that il IL the
HEADQUARTERS of the Womens National
League for Relief Work or Comfort
Committee No. 5. Of the American Red
Cross. or the National United Service
or Women. or some kindred organiza-
ton
Early last spring the Red Cross held
a mass-meetlng of Washington women
which was presided over by Miss Mabel
Boardnan. Committees were formed
TO organize the nurses of the District
to mobilize pleasure cars to providc
surgical dressings. and comforts for
soldiers at the front.
This Red Cross work is thoroughly
systcmatized. and going rapidly for
ward to the European front Hun
dreds OF nurses are prepared TO take
up their duties in the military hos
pitfalls as soon AS our wounded begin
to be returned from the front. Mrs
Hartman and Miss Alice Shepherd are
the drivers of two weil-equipped Red
Cross anhulances, and have already
put them into use by bringing sick
soldiers from the training camps TO the
city hospitals Surgical dressings and
comforts" are piling up In govern
ment warehouses.
This work is not entirely in the
hands OF society women There arc
dressnakers who give two or three
hours out Of the day cutting out gar
ments in the committee rooms; there
are government clerks who type Red
Cross mail after hours, aud on one
committee one OF the most valued mem