The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1912-1921, 1918-09-21
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1918.
WOMEN sLAcKERs OF THE WORST SORT

In yesterdays EVENING WORLD We read an
appeal from the local Red Cross chapter for
volunteers TO knit fifty sweaters between now
and the tenth of October. In the same article
It was related that the chapter had recently
shipped las sweaters and 200 pairs of socks to
the headquarters of the society in Washington.
When one reads an appeal like the above they
cannot help but think Of the wide difference in
women even in town the size of Martinsburg.
There are some women who jumped into the
thick of the fight the moment war was declar-
ed and they have been hard at it ever since.
No demand has been made upon them which
they have refused, no call has come to their
ears which they have not needed. Their part
in this war is just as glorious as is that of the
men on the firing line in France for in many
cases it has been a real sacrifice to them, both
III time and in money, oftentiTGes from the
standpoint of their own health, to have done
what they did, Yet they never hesitated when
the call came; they accepted it and did all that
was hur7 only possible. If they were n1en-God
bless then-they would be in the front line
trenches today-fghting the same fight that
cur boys are fighting for them
On the other hand there are many women in
hamlet throughout the country, who have done
very little to help along their country's cause.
We see them every day, walking the streets of
our town. or riding them in an automobile,
Willing away precious mon9ents that might be
used in holy and righteous cause. We see
them carrying on secret-not SO secret as they
fEink-relationship with men other than their
lawful husbands, and doing all sorts of things
except that which the times call for. They are
the women, just as much as those who are do
ing so much work, for whom the boys in France
are fighting and what are they doing to requite
all the blood and treasure that is being poured
out for them in Flanders Field and in Alsace-
Lorraine If burning up gasoline and wearing
out tires, every bit of both of which we need
so badly in fighting their fight, is doing any
thing then they are working hard, we must adj
nit.
But the very things upon which they spend
the most time are the very things which this
government is trying to discourage. We need
every bit Of everything on which we can lay
our hands Il we are to win this war and any
American wonaan-married or aingle-who is
not helping to do what she can is guilty of
helping the German cause. This is plain Ian
guage but it is the bald truth Of the matter and
the sooner some of our lazy and thoughtless
women realize it SO much the sooner will we
win and put an end to this terrible war
There are many women who have not been
able to send sons or relatives to the war and
they are working their hardest to do something
which will make UP for their inability to help
in that way. There are, others who have sent
hiroh -
determined that they must work so much the
harder in order to hasten the glad day when
the boys shall come back to them. Why
shouldn't the women who have the time and
the means do something for this great cause
Is it possible that they can read all about the
terrible things which are going on in Europe
and not thank God that they are thousands of
miles removed from it all? They Go nothing