Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-20

JOUkN AL, lnCASOA SLI
citizen may be utilized to the best ad-
vantage the government appointed the
wouans Committee of the Council Of
National Defense, This committee con-
sisss Of ten members with DR.. Anna
Howard Shaw, chairman, and upon
this committee rests the responsibility
Of organizing the Women's societies
Of the nation for voluntary service.
In each state a temporary chairman
has been appointed who was instructed
to call together the presidents of all
state organizations for forming. a per-
manent committee from each cooper
ating organization. 1t is planned to
similarly organize each county and
city. DR.. Shaw defines the purpose of
the woman's committee as follows:
I'm order that this service may be
most effective. we ask the women that
they work in the woman's organiza
tions already existing. through their
state division Of the Woman's Com
n ittee of the Council Of National De-
Tense.
We do not wish 10 create any more
organizations, but TO see that those
already created cooperate helpfully.
We urge that for not one minute shall
any line of helpful service already
begun be allowed to lapse"
Miss Anna A. Gordon. President Of
the National W. C. T. u. is a member
Of this National Advisory Board and
she says, referring 10 the position Of
the w. C. T. L. in relation to other
orga nizations at this time. Indeed the
w. c. T. u has its own unique and
mighty program during these heart
breaking days. The w. c. T. l.. is
especially fortunate in having well
tested organization machinery for
carrying on most Of the lines of work
suggested by the Central Committee I"
White Ribboners will specialize on
ten different departments of work;
Nation wide Prohibition as war
measure; Work for Soldiers and Sail
ors: Relief Work Moral Education;
Women in Industry; Americanization;
Cooperation on the United Committee
or Temperance Activities in the Army
and Navy; Finance; Community In
terests and Membership.
Along the line of Moral Education
may l quote from a recent issue Of
the Union Signal. The sisters and
the girl friends of the men who have
enlisted can, II they will. throw around
them a moral protection immeasur-
ably greater than a prescribed anti
liquor or anti-vice zone, necessary as
are such restrictions. That the high
minded young women Of the nation
place high the standard Of morality
which they expect the wearers of Uncle
Sans Uniform to observe and their
brothers, college comrades and friends
will live up to it. Girls and young
women of noble ideals in every COM
nunity, and especially those in the
vicinity Of a military camp or naval
training station should definitely de-
termine TO use for good their influence
with their sisters, who. through lack Of
home training or thoughtlessness are
by foolish sentimentality putting temp
tation in the way of the young patriots
Of the land"
| especially urge that the attention
and active cooperation of our young
peoples branch and Of all our young
women, be enlisted to put into exc
cution this good advice.
We are grateful for the provisions
of the new army law, which, by the
rulings Of Attorr ey General Gregory.
are applicable to the Navy and Marine
Corps also. The law, forbds the sale
or possession of LIQUOR in military
posts for beverage purposes and makes
1T unlawful to sell intoxicants to any
officer, soldier or sailor in uniform
High authority tells us of the splen-
did personnel of our army and it is
bound to advance more and more with
all these safeguards and America
giving its best. The moral defective
may be rejected even as the physical
defective is not received. The pride
Of our nation is donning the uniform;
moral and spiritual protection and ad-
vancement is our high privilege and
duty.
While we knit and sew and work for
the comfort of our soldier boys, let
us work with equal avidity for their
safety from those insidious dangers
which infest our cities and towns, and
reinforced by conditions Of army life
are waiting TO faint body and soul.
Many letters from Maine mothers
who are giving their sons for the cause
IF freedom come to my desk. All ex-
press anxiety for the moral as we'll
as for the physical safeguarding Of
these precious lives. Better a bruised
body than a bruised soul. With this
In mind let US do everything possible
for the moral upiift Of the young men
who are stationed or being mobilized
within our State.
Working through the Chaplain or
proper officials invite them to your
homes in groups and to the service
and social life OF the church; continue
to send to the camps the very best
reading matter-up- date magazines,
periodicals and papers. If possible
open hospitality room properly
equipped and presided over by moth
erly woman. Serve refreshments, for
as Mrs. Thacher says. "A piece Of
gingerbread like mothers often turns
the thought Of homesick boy into
right channels when temptation asails."
BY direction OF Postmaster. Burleson
an arrangement has been made where
by papers and magazines bearing no.
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