New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-09
Activities Of Men and
Women Cover Almost All
Branches of Service
No Lack of Patriotism
$4,000 Worth of Motor Time
Used in State Military
Census

nc AtNNf - va 49,
tee Of the Mayors Committee on Ma
tional Defence and OF the Mayors Com
mjttee OF Women on National Defence
were made public yesterday. They re-
view the history OF the committees and
give a brief review Of their activities
which, in the aggregate, were enormous
From the day Of It's first meeting on
October z. 1915, until to-day, war prob
lens have come in Increasing numbers
20 the executive committee and ne"
projects calculated TO facilitate the
conduct Of the war have been set on
foot.
Some Earlier Achievements
Among the earlier achievements were
the conference Of mayors and their
committees in St. Louis twenty months
ago, the organization Of the Home De-
fence League and the millionfold 10y
atty pledge which New York sent to
President Wilson in the dubious days
preceding the entrance Of the United
States into the conflict.
Numerous subsidiary committees
were appointed as new problems
cropped up, and although its duties are
still onerous the executive committee
feels tina. it is organized for any
emergency. It's recruiting committee
was an efficient first aid 10 local re-
cruiting Offices before the draft, erected
the land battlcship Recruit, and now CO.
operates with the government in obtain
ing the specially skilled recruits need
ed for various branches Of the military
service.
The Federal registration on June .
thrust new duties upon the defence
committee. all Of which were performed
smoothly and effectively. although there
was an emergency call on the day itself
for more than 100 additional regis
trars. In the taking Of the state mill
tary census $4,000 worth OF automobile
service was supplied free 10 the state,
and when the first selective draft came
the committee nominated many mem
beers Of the exemption boards.
Settled Labor Troubles
Industrial problems, which for time
threatened widespread dissatisfaction
with the government and perhaps dis
loyalty. were taken up by the commit
tee. with the result that the Federal
Board of Control was appointed by the
War Department 20 see 20 10 that the
labor supply available in such clothing
centres as New York was taken into
account in apportioning contracts. The
committee aided likewise in settling
the longshoremen's strike in Septem-
Der.
Such industrial activities led TO the
establishment Of the Employment
Clearing House in October, which as
proving increasingly useful in match
ing workers and jobs. An Americaniza-
ton campaign was planned and started
To put the hospitals Of the city on q
war footing Council Of Associated
Hospitals was formed and the organi-
cation Of resources started.
Speakers were sent out 10 conduct
an educational campaign and direct
civilian enthusiasm into such channels
as would be most useful TO the govern
mcnt. The committee on aliens keeps
a careful watch on foreign language
publications and sends all information
gathered 10 government officials. In
spections 10 ascertain fire risks were
conducted. Thorough cooperation with
the Red Cross was established.
The women have thirteen sub-com-
mittees at work. which have tackled
food problems, assisted IN census work,
taken up the alien enemy question and
engaged ia many other useful activi-
ties.
Organized Eleven Farm Units
In agriculture The women have en-
listed bands O. "tarmerettes" 10 help
out the upstate farmers with their
crops They have also aided with sug-
gestion and advice in bringing The gar
dens Of the bsck-lot patriots TO frui-
ton.
Eleven farm units Of women worked
with the committee on agriculture.
These were sent 10 the upstate farmers,
self-suppOrting and providing their
own shelter in tents Thus the pres
ence Of women working on the farms
was Of no hindrance 90 the usual work
ers
The committee on aliens has had its
greatest work IN education Through
out the city il mas cooperated with
patriotic bodies, religious and secular,
IN an effort to teach the hyphenated
why 10 would be well for him 20 drop
his bifurcated nationality and claim
allegiance TO America only. Il has
aided in the food campaign among the
foreign born. Il has assisted the Red
Cross. Il has compiled list Of aliens
who were refused in the draft, and II
is keeping a sharp watch over the for
eign language papers for seditious ut
terAnces.
The committee on employment
opened an employment clearing house
in which the man or woman and the
Job might seek each other success
fully. In the period Of its existence.
June q TO October !. 2.20S calls FOR
e,Ssi persons passed through the clear
ing house, 9S5 Of which came directly
from employers. the remaining 1873
from the twenty-four agencies IN active
cooperation with the clearing house
duyinC that time These . Dos call