Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-28
| WOMAN'S LAND
| ARMY OF AMERICA
Representatives of Army May Be-
come Officers in United States
Employment Service.

Secretary of Labor William B. Wilson
in recognition of the services OF the
thousands of women during the year just
drawing to close, and with the view OF en-
couraging the preparation of women for
farm work another season, wherever the
| need arises, has approved plan OF CO.
operation between the United States Enl-
ployment Service and the Womens
Land Army OF America, Inc. Under the
| new arrangement representatives OF the
Land Army may become officers OF
division of work in the Employment
Service, this division to be known as
The Woman's Land Amy of America,
the Employment Service TO furnish
officers insignia, assistance In recruiting
| and expenses of The Federal organization
| and TO have direction of officers recon-
| mendations to the Secretary, location of
units and regulation of working conditions.
A national director, in the person of
Mrs. William II. Hubert, will act rs adj
minstrative chief of the DIVISION
The Woman's Land Army of America
was organized primarily for increasing
food production during the war, meeting
the farmers needs by providing units or
groups of women who live In separate
| houses with chaperon housekeeper or
supervisor, and furnishing their own food
and cooking. This patriotic organization
of volunteer workers came into existence
In New York City In December, 1917 and,
from the beginning, has operated in CO.
operation with the Federal and State
Labor Bureaus with degree of success
far beyond the utmost expectations of it's
creators and the country at large, as rs
shown by reports TO the Department at
Washington.
Wherever the amy members have
operated, they have left an enviable
record, and the farmer, skepttcsi at first
as to the practicability of employing
women to do mems work on the farm, is,
so far as reports have been received at
the national office, wholly convinced of
their great value in this field His con-
version is pronounced complete. Another
notable result of the application of the
plan, II is pointed out lies In the awaken
ing of the keen interest and enthusiasm
of women for the new tasks they have
learned TO perform, and the wholesome,
vigorous, life they have led Results have
shown that physical labor Id the outdoor
air have made for robust health, clear
heads and keen self satisfaction. that they |
have been able TO perform what thereto |
fore would have been considered almost |
heroic tasks
According TO available figures, as re-
ported to the department, 1000 women
worked in land camps last summer. and,
1t is estimated. at least 5000 more have
gone out in groups or singly TO lend their
assistance In saving crops that otherwise
would have perished. And these women,
drawn from the ranks of college girls,
school teachers, seasonal workers out of
hitherto unused sources.
have taken hold Of the hardest of tasks
and accomplished results that, it had
been popularity supposed, only men could
do. Their work has Included nearly every
variety Of farm labor, planting, cultivat-
ing, harvesting, dairy work and using all
work they lave proved themselves pecu-
harry adaptable, both In operation and in
making minor repairs.
In many of the tasks they have been
called upon 70 perform, they have, il is
agreed. demonstrated their efficiency
snd what Is pointed 10 as the best proof
hat women are fitted for this great work,
IS that thousands of the past seasons
are eager to go back TO the farm
next summer The Land Army has open
I'd new channel to thousands OF women
who now view life from new angle,
with reference 10 its applica-
lions TO farm pursuits, and what Is more,
they have gained In mental vision and In ,
physical strength, in happiness as well as
achievement TO degree far IN advance of
their most sanqulne expectations.
In the State of illinois, the Land Army
a training farm, where girls
and women passed through period of
training prior to being set out TO
work on farms. hey are said to have
learned quickly and TO have accomplished
IN the period of their training much more
than their instructors had considered pos
sible, and the quality of their work, after
leaving the school, Is said TO have COM
oleteiy won over the Illinois tanners and
them that IN the women of the
Land Army, lay the solution Of the labor
troubles that had been perplexing them
for years. Forty States now have land
army chaiTmen and where committees
are at work and in 20 Of these States active
work has been done In placing women on
he farms. In the eastern States, as we'll
Is IN the far west, the Army has been
active, and IN several in
stances the women are credited with
having, through their enthusiastic work
saved the crops of entire counties and
thousands of dollars to the farmers that
otherwise would have been lost, besides
furnishing vast quantities of food to the
world at time when greatly needed.
The cooperation Of the U. s. Employ
nent Service will enable the army to do
,etter and more efficient work, it is be-
ieved. and that as the army goes on its
leld Of endeavor wfl broaden in oppor-
unity and achievement until the pro-
Iucers of food stuff will look upon it as an
that cannot well be spared
yA6pI 0YNfENT SERVICE