The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-08-24
PLANS FOR THE
STATE DEFENSE
Photo by American Press Association.

Rapid progress is being made by
Bruce Dennis, director of work of the
State Council of Defense. with head
quarters at Portland, in whipping into
shape the county units throughout Ore
gon and in bringing about the promo
tion of several important featurescon-
nected with the homs prosecution of
war. The limit of work to be done is
the limit of physical ability of Mr..
Dennis and his staff to perform it.
One of the most important features
of the organization will be realized
when W. B. Ayet, representing Her
bert c. Hoover in food conservation
and administration in Oregon, will
take active charge in one of the Offices
of the suite that is being utilized by
the State Council of Defense. This
work will be carried on through the
county units as it is developed from
time to time, and willbe co-ordinated
with the numerous other activities of
the general organization. One of the
important features Of the work. that Of
organizing the women Of Oregon. is
being conducted by Mrs. Charles H.
Castner, of Hood River, president of
the State Federation of Women's
Clubs. Mrs. Castner is the active
agent for this branch of the activity in
all of the counties of the state and is
already ACCOMPLISHING excellent results.
Relative to the food conservation
situation. several plans are in course
of consideration, but already through
The extension system of the Oregon
Agriculture College and with the en-
thusiastic cooperation of President
Kerr, the blank card for signatures
of householders all over the county are
being circulated everywhere in this
state. These pledge the signer to join
in the service of food conservation for
the Nation and to accept membership
in the United States Food Administra-
into; also to carry out the directions
and advice of the food administrator;
insofar as circumstances will permit.
These are to be mailed to the admin-
istrator at Washington. D. c.. when,
upon receipt. he will forward to the
signer free the first instructions and
tag for posting. For 10 cents an in
sigma button, and, if desired, the
shield insignia of the food administra-
tor, will be sent.
The plan of organization of the
State Council of Defense is to have
from 10 to Is of tine most able. patrio-
tic and representative citizens of each
county to act as Council of Patriotic
Service. Each county unit chooses its
chairman. and it is intended that it
shall be responsible for the various
activities of the state organization in
its county. reporting to the state head
quarters at frequent intervals. While
the county units are expected to work
out county problems along certain
lines, they will also execute orders
from the state Office where general
conditions arise.
County units are also to be response
Bile fer the organizing of auxiliaries in
every town and hamlet in their county,
membership in which shall constitute
membership In state wide league for
patriotic service. Mr.. Dennis recon-
mends that every man, woman and
child should belong to some auxiliary
for service, as this is the method by
which every patriotic citizen who does
not go to the battle front may enlist
for service in the war,
Organizing Of home guards is fea-
ture which Mr.. 'Dennis urges county
councils to prosecute with vigor,
through the direction of the member in
charge of home defense. The swear
ing in Of patriotic, able men as Deputy
Sheriffs is recommended, and it Is
pointed out that great care should be
exercised-in selecting these men,
1t will be the purpose of the State
Council Of Defense to promote every
feature possible that Is essential to the
successful execution of the war by
citizens. and he is now working out
plans for various phases, hut the fol-
lowing lines Of activity have been
strongly recommended for the activity
OF county unitsl Food supply conser-
vation, industrial labor. farm labor.
manufactures. shipping and shipbuild-
ing, lumber. transportation, fisheries,
woman's work, publicity. sanitation,
medicine and morals. law and finance.
coordination Of patriotic and others
societies.