The Benson signal., 1918-09-21


Ii cagO women, following sug-
N gestiOns made by Mrs. Jo-
~ seph IT. Bowen, the chair
man of the woman's COM
Il mittee of the Illinois di-
vision OF the national council of de-
[ense, began study of future prog
resS in the United States. and what ac-
ton, if any, should be desirable as the
result of changing conditions arising
from the world wax.
Ii was Mrs. Bowen's opinion that
thought should first be directed to over
coming striking weaknesses in our So
clal fabric, such as the Americaniza-
tlon problem, the increase of juvenile
crime. the disregard of the laws Of
nature and hygiene and the lack of I'M
Outstanding between different groups
Of people.
From this beginning developed res
olution, passed by the Chicago Wom-
ans club, providing for federal train
ing of the most comprehensive charac-
ter for all future young citizens before
permitting them to vote.
At the biennial convention of the
General Federation of Women's clubs
at Hot Springs, Ark, in May, the Chi
cagO WOman'S club secured unanimous
Endorsement of the movement. This
took the form Of a petition to the gov
eminent for universal training of wom-
en- as well as of men,
/ 1t was the formal expression of over
two million American women, organ
lied in about 10000 clubs for personal
and community improvement through
! out the United States.
| In matter of such general impOr-
lance 1t seemed desirable to know the
opinion of all other women as reflected
through the national leaders of Organi-
cations of varied activities. Represen-
tatives of fifty such organizations in
Illinois formed a committee to invite
expressions from women of national
prominence.
Find Women Approve Idea.
Leaders of the movement declare
that from the replies it is evident no
question ever brought tefore the Amer
lean people has had the Immediate and
general support of thinking women of
such wide diversity Of interest.
"The broad purpose of the move
ment," said Mrs. Edwin T. Johnson,
president Of the Chicago Woman's
club, sis to make plans for the welfare
Of humanity and for our children who
survive the war. 1t is evident action
Of the most fundamental character is
demanded to reach all young people
who will share in the work of recon
structiOn and the making of govern
ment policies after the war;.
Anyone who has seen the wonderful
physical change wrought in the youth
of our country by even brief period
in the camps and environments cannot
but cOvet the same benefit for every
youth in our land. Nor is it a physical
gain only; subtle change in attitude
toward other social groups than his
own, brought about by the democracy
of the camps, wholesome regard for
health, both mental and physical, a
respect for authority, habit of Obedi-
ence, new vision of his responsible
ties as a citizen, in short, a wholly new
and fine attitude toward life-this is
the gift that his country, through the
service it asks Of him, has given him
in return.
1.-THE government will ask both our
boys and our girls to perform their du.
ties as citizens. Is it not, therefore
reasonable and just that the govern
ment should take steps to afford then
such training as will made this serv
ice worth while? Such courses in
training for citizenship as a prepare
ton, not for war, please God--although
we have learned from the experience
through which we are now passing
that preparedness in a great nation
is an obligation country owes to its
citizens-but for peace and it's duties
Let us as a country give our young
people every opportunity, such as the