Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-01

pulpits for registration of women in
Herbert c. Hoover's food administra-
tion- This will be accomplished be-
tween now and July Is. But vast and
comprehensive as this operation will
be. it will mark only a beginning of
the battle for democracy which is to be
waged in kitchens.
r.
The registration of all housewives in
When the need for food economy was
realized men used to large scale opera
lions were dazed. How extend the long
arm of the government to 10000, 900
dining room tables? For decades
Americans have been educated in eat
ing with prodigal abandon; how was
the government to upset all such prac-
tfces in a few months, or even in few
years? Yet Hoover of Belgium" seems
to have pointed the way to solution.
His pan contemplates no complex ma
chinery. no expensive organization, no
interferenses or instructions obnoxious
to liberty-loving people. Like most big
1t is being carried on through the con-
servation section OF Mr.. Hoover's Of
flee. headed by DR.. Ray Lyman Wilbur,
president of Stanford University.
The public mas grasped it. and women
already have shown their Willingness
TO act upon 1t. But what the public does
not yet realize is that the registration.
sweeping as 1t is, is only Introductory
to what the government is getting
ready to do to enlist women in pa
tr;otic service in conserving foo,.
Take the case of Mrs. Jones, I, pical
American housewife. mother of a
family. and try to picture the pressure
that will be brought to bear upon her
and the numerous channels through
which IL will come.
Some time before now and July Is she
will be asked TO take the first step. to
register in the food administration.
Thee process is simple. She signs a
GARD which contains the pledge: Il am
/glad TO Join you in the service of food
conservation for our nation, and here
by accept membership in the United
STATES food administration plcdging
myself TO carry out the directions and
advice of the food administrator in the
conduct of my household in SO far as
Thy circumstances permit
She also fills out blanks on this card
ASKING her name and address, the num-
Der .r her household. whether she en-
psOyS a cook and what is the occupa-
ton of the breadwinner. aud whether
she Will take part in nfighborhood
movements for food conservation She
files this card through the channel pro-
Nided by her state organization, which
undertakes the houScwives' census
probably the state council IF defense
IL :, few days she receives an acknowl-
edgnent. accompanied by . button, by
al insignia which she may display In
the window of her home. and ity per
mission to wear the uniform, thu won
ans uniform OF honor. IN her kitchen
More important stil. she receives
specific instructions about just what is
required Of her.
The government takes it for grant
ed, and has fully been justified in the
assumption, that the American woman
IS most willing TO perform her patriotit
duty in respect 10 food conservation
Her spirit may be most willing, but
her Information about what is demand
ed Of her may be. and generally is
weak.
Broadly speaking. the things that arr
TO be required of her. as defined by Mr.
Hoover. lie along these general lines
"Elm;nafA household waste, reduce