The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-06-21

young women intend to do and have
been doing during this time Of stress
looking towards being Of service To
their right to do as they please in the
matter Of assuming military tactics
and learning obedience. No, they are
all wrong because they have had the
temerity to organize such military
company without comforting with the
high and mighty men and women, who
have set themselves up as dictators of
conduct, mode of living and who have
established code of military ethics.
These young women are told to take to
the sewing machine and knitting
needle. They are told that they will
never be called upon to go into the
trenches. They are told that it is I'M
modest to wear breaches, coats and
leggings. They are supposed to wear
dainty little waists that are cut down
in front almost to the wish-bone, and
don skirts that cause all men to look
whenever these young ladies appear on
the streets. 1t is immodest to wear
leggings, because, perhaps, they hide
the contour of the pedal extremities
of the young ladies in question and
act as sort Of guard to inquisitive
The Girls Military Squad was or
ganized for the following purposes:
To stimulate desire for outdoor
life;
To give the young ladies gymnastic
training so badly needed by all in
door workers;
To assist the Red Cross Society in
all of it's laudable undertakings;
To teach first aid, with the view of
gradually interesting some of the
young ladies in Red Cross nursing;
To assist the local military authori-
ties in recruiting;
To assist the home guards in every
possible way;
And take part in all other activities
war with Germany.
The Girls Military Squad showed
their desire to help on Registration
Day when they were on duty from 2
in the morning until 9 o'clock at night
at all the polling places in the city.
They saw that each man registering
was tagged to show to all the people
that they were manly enough to regis
ter for service for their country.
They secured a large number of
the members of the local Red Cross
Society.
They sold tickets to assist the local
committee in charge of Loyalty Day
parade in paying off the indebtedness
incurred by reason of this patriotic
occasion.
They have never asked single
business or professional man for one
cent of money to be used in buying
their equipment. They have earned
every cent that they have expended
thus far, and they are not likely to be-
come objects Of charity.
They are now assisting in the work
of seeing that the soldiers have those
little comforts that the United States
government does not furnish enlisted
men. They are at the call Of all pat.
riotic societies that are organized for
real patriotic services.
And, best of all, there is no false
modesty in the Squad. They are wear
ing the kind Of clothing that lends it
self to greater freedom of action SO
that their drills, their setting up ex-
ercises, their first aid exercises and
their marching can be done with some
kind of comfort. And, after all, whose
business is it but the girls them
selves? Mere men better keep off
the reservation. These girls are hon
est, capable and modest young women,
and they and their friends will not
stand for any unjust criticism.