New-York tribune., 1919-01-17
Women's Service
League Prepares
i For Peace Work
First National Conference
Held at Hotel Biltmore
and New Officers Elected:
DR.. Manning Speaks

Members of the National League for
Woman's Service from nearly every
state in the country met yesterday at
The Hotel Biltmore to hear a report
Of the work accomplished during the
war and to put the league on a peace
basis. 1t was the first national meet
;ne of the league, although the organi-
zation is two years old. 1t was formed
before the United States entered the
war.
The meeting began at 1880 a. m.
luncheon was served at l o'clock, and
later the meeting was continued. All
national officers We're reelected. They
are Miss Maude Wetmere, chairman;
Mrs. Coffin Van Rensselaer,, vice-chair-
man: Miss Anne Morgan, treasurer,
and Miss Grace Parker, national com
mandant.
Miss Wetmore opened the morning
session with a tribute to Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt, recalling his speech
made in February. 1917. at the organi-
cation dinner of the league. At each
luncheon place was small booklet
containing the last address delivered
by Colonel Roosevelt before the league
This was on the occasion of the dinner
last September, given at the Biltmore
TO launch the leagues financial cam
pagn.
SO Service Clubs
The annual report was read by Miss
Parker. 1t showed the league is op-
Grating fifty-six social service clubs
for men in uniform in various states.
Nine are in California. The largest is
in San Francisco, and entertains
monthly an average of $4,000 men. The
league service clubs together have en-
tertained more than million and
half men.
Nearly 10000 volunteer women have
served several million meals in the
canteens during the year. New York
City has twelve of these canteens and.
Brooklyn has eight. The league can
teen at Coney Island fed 10000 men
in December.
In the report of the Home Economics
Division, Chattanooga, Tenn, made the
best showing. The women of this city
have canned fruit and vegetables which
are valued at $97 81.
Inc MOtpF corps is organized IN
seventy-eight cities. It's work now
largely is the transporting of wounded
men in ambulances from ships to hos
ptals. Members of the Motor Corps
are to be awarded service stripes.
DR.. Manning Talks
The Rev. Dr. William t. Manning
spoke at the luncheon, summarizing a
Jew of the lessons the war has taught
American mon and women
The ending Of the war is only the
beginning cf our work." said DR.. Man
ming. The tendency is to grow, slack.
and American women must help keep
alive the ideals and standards the war
LAS set for us, just as they have helped
and encouraged the fighting men with
their unseltsh spirit of sacrifice"
Dr. Manning took little slap at
William r. Hearst While relating an
incident concerning "The Nashville
American" he said, by way Of all aside.
1.-The Nashville American is not like
The New York American its perfect,
all right"
Other speakers at the luncheon were
Mr. Curtin is we'll known as the author
of The Land of the Deepening
Shadow" Mr.. Curtin spoke OF the Ger
man sentiment regarding America be-
,ore the war. He quoted prominent
German as saying america is a con-
tnent OF jelly filled with Jumps of in
0issoiuble foreigners"
when any one, England, France,
America, feels that we should shake
hands with Prussianism that's all
T.ght. let's shake, but let's have Prus-
sianism by the throat first" he said.
Looking to Future
4. the afternoon session there was
discussion as to what the work of the
league j. to be in the future. Miss
Parker pointed out the canteens and
service clubs and the motor corps had
Ncfs before them for at least six
Months more. and suggested the motor
corps IN many cities could be used by
lae municipal governments. The opin-
ion was unanimous that women should
lie kept keyed up to the spirit OF service
winch has developed.
Among the women who attended the
meeting We're: New York City-Mrs
Joseph n. Sears, Mrs. Winthrop Burr
Mrs. Edward McVickar, Mrs Caspar
whitney and Ms. Charles S. Whitman
Nsw Jersey-Mrs. Lewis B. Stillwell
ard Mrs. Anne Sutphen. Seattle-Mrs.
Winfield r. Smith. PhiIadelp
Francis NcIlhenny Mrs. George Wood
ward and Mrs. L. \. Wright.