The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-01-28
usiu p,rpsleW rpsIIx Editor.

"Reconstruction" was the subject
the fine lecture given by the Hon.
gorge Gordon Battle. Of New York,
estcrday afternoon ut tho WOman's
|uh. II Ii the first lecture Of its kind
ven ut the club this season and 1t
Puched subject Of, vital interest.
nd the theme was we'll treated by
be speaker. Mrs. Egbert Leigh was
ss.xst ~ %
toduced MIR. Battle as "a brilliant
bn Of the Old North State; cisin-
uiahed member OF the New York
kr. an. n man of high literary at
kinmAnts"
Mr.. Battle prefaced his lecture with
glowing tribute to Richmond ana
reviewed the reconstruction days
ere, saying that about Richmond In
Pc old days chung an air OF "melan-
holy romance"
An urgent appeal tor tho recogni-
on OF the necessity of the ruohc
tscussions the questions of the day
pa to the outline of how those dis
MISSIONS should arise. I'VE must
Parn the facts, think over them, ana
hen We may discuss them. In an
yer to his question of what Is re-
obstruction ?" he said: at Is the
VAtiOu Oh u new pCitiS<A1l w -
nd social fabric Of our national HE.
Mr.. Battle discussed the economic
ED, 6rst showing how the compcnsa-
on OF workmen had increased and
he hours of labor decreased and the
conditions OF the lives of workmen
Improved during the war For the
reconstruction, he said I'VE must IN
rease our production to maintain the
dvanced rate of wages" and nc
dressed the necessity OF fair dealing
e<ween employer and employe. This
bad to the matter of social legislation
care for the needs of the woPk-
hen, such as health Insurance, old
Sc pensions. minimum wage for wo-
hen and children. etc. Because time
required to enact and put In force
hese laws he reached the height OF
lis lecture in describing and pre-
cribin~ for the employment difficulty
d our doors today caused by demobi-
xation and the closing of war work
3lantA
As temporary remedies which viii
erve until the full readjustment he
hentioned the lifting of the ban on
building; the greater call for the mer-
3hant marine: Secretary Lanes plan
'pr the reclamation of waste lands
Hhich are to be granted returned SOL
Hers and the work of the Z. ). en-
3loyment bureau.
As a conclusion. Mr. Battle urged
hat the great lesson of the war be
lot only learned. but applied right,
Ind he said: Let US reap for the
hood Of the world the full benefits or
he sacrifice"
Particularly striking was the dis
Iourse on the greater feeling OF
Brotherhood which has arisen among
he nations as a result OF coming ain
5loser contact and knowing one an
|thcr better Striking in his lecture
has the graphic repetition he gave OF
)ecretary Bakers description OF the
kreat drive he witnessed The lecture
Vas well delivered and satisfying 10
he club members who are vftalaly
Interested, as are all Americans, In
he great reconstruction period into
Fitch we have just plunged.
Brilliant Reception.
Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel Newton Will
hams, of 1897 Hanover avenue, cele-
krated their crystal wedding anniver-
|arv last evening. They entertained
III a brilliant reception In the Elks
Home, at which over one hundred
kuests were present The drawing
(poms and ballroom OF the club were
ktractively decorated in color
Scheme OF pink and green and an
Irchestra played throughout the even
|nx for dancing. At II o'clock a
bufYet supper was served In which