Arizona republican., 1919-03-09

make great efforts or all will be lost It is the old story of taking up the every day duties of life again, less i'm portant, seemingly, but not so. or what use is the democracy for which we fought if childhood is not con- served? If the Armenian children, tine syrian. the Belgian, tho Italian. rne French children arc not saved the ma tions will die. Of what use is the building up of our democratic govern mcnt If the children arc not educated to understand tho ideals of that gov ernment that they may carry it on to perfection?
 The care and education of the children is yet the greatest work to be done in the world. The little things of every day are the important things the thoughts. words and actions in the quiet of the home.
 Tn glancing back over the last years Of the Congress of Mothers and Parent Teacher associations. it IS rather surprising tosome of us to see whathas been accomplished. The year just ended is no index, for we know that on account of wartime condi- tons and the dreadful epidemic fol- lowing nothing is quite normal. Our organization, made up. as it is, mostly of mothers, endeavored to do l it's part during the war by doing Red | Cross work. saving and caring for the | children under the children's bureau and giving a taste Of home life 10 sol diers and sailors in cantonments, and striving to keep home and school con ditions balanced and normal.
 The hesrtstrinEs in many homes have been torn by the giving up of oui boys. some of whom are back home again. some still across the seas. and | some gone to their reward. All honor ! Co the boys who sacrificed for us | whether they were sent across or die | their part in this country; we arc | proud of them and grateful to them. "Not yet should our energies b, | slackened or our interest wane. There | is still much work for the Red Cross much relief work to bndd up tn, wounds Of a war-torn world. our soldier and sailor boys neeC | our interest and sssistsnce-not char | ity. but the best assistance we car | give-helping them to help them. | selves. Some will be able to return To thei rOld places in home and busi' ness. while others without an anchor | will drift about and become dangerou, derelicts. The Soldiers and Sailors home in Washington D. C., owned anC conducted by our National Congress | of Mothers. Is still open and will D, needed for some time.
 We can show a personal interest il l returned soldiers. influencing som' to take advantage Of the vocationa ! educational facilities offered them l helping others in other ways back t' | normal life.
 Much less than our homes, ou schools have been affected by the wa | conditions. number of boys iron . our high schools and university of fered themselves. and there was quit @ shortage of men teachers. whicl would have been more serious in 1 year or two more.
 "Our schools have suffered nor this winter from the influenza epi demic than from war conditions. Hoy the work of the year is to be accom- plished with so much time lost is problem before the educators and pa irons which is made more difficult b. tho very irregular attendance sine the schools opened. many pupils hay ing become discouraged or intereste ir other work. have dropped out alto sether.
 "Our Parent t-Teacher association have not been allowed to hold meet ings. and. as mothers. our duty to ou families kept us closely at home watching over and caring for our wOr Now that VIC are free to go abou again. let ms take our courage in ou hands. gather up all the loose end. 1, and make a fresh beginning.
 Our first task should be getting tn children back into school.
 | "Second. make drive for member ship. This membership drive shoul he carefully planned and svstemati cally carried out, to reach all parent of the district Enlist the father where possible. The low dues are II obstacle; the strong point to be mad is the need of cooperation and tn ! many things that may be accom-