The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-29
FARMERETTES HOLD
CONVENTION HERE
Fire Commissioner Bars
Sheaves Of Wheat, Hops and
Oats From Hall.
SORROW AT HOTEL ASTOR
Mrs. Walter Steele Suggests
Plans for Land Army to
Help Reconstruction.

The farmerettes came to town yes
terday bearing their sheavea but alack
and alas, the fire laws OF New York city
refused TO admit the sheaves and they
had to be sent back where they came
from. Lovely shocks Of corn. beauteous
pumpkins OF abnormal size. festoons or
wheat and hops and oats and garden
sass dried and artistically arranged to
show all who should attend the conven-
ton of the woman's Land Army what
wonders the pretty lasses In overalis
had performed--all were coldly turned
from the door by the management OF
the Hotel Astor at the command or
Fire Commissioner Thomas ]. brennan.
It was the idea Of Mrs. Otto r. Eichel.
executive secretary of the army. and OF
Mrs. Thomas F. Burgess. president. and
likewise Of many OF the farmerettes
themselves to transform the convention
hall into a sort OF county fair or old
home week with the aid of their own
products
The decision OF the Fire Department
was cruel disappointment, and even
the courtly assurances OF the hotel peo-
pie that the farmerettes themselves. In
their blue blouses and overalls. were
sufficiently decorative without any trim
mings didn't suffice to console them.
Mrs. steeIe's Comments.
The army was hard at 1t all day long,
transacting business. getting through
reports and listening to speeches. One
member whose words were listened to
with interest was Mrs. Walter Steele
Of Buffalo. Erie county chairman OF the
State organization. lately appointed on
the State Reconstruction Commission by
Coy. Smith. She pointed out that the
farmerettes, far from taking work from
the men. could aid considerably In solv-
ing the reconstruction problems Of the
near future.
zone OF the first reconstruction essen
tails is to provide Jobs for returning
soldiers" she said. "A practical way
to do this is to set some TO work con-
structing buildings for land army camp
settlements somewhat on the plan Of
Government Gamers establishments. /
have estimated that such centres would
cost about $4,000 complete, and every
agricultural county should have one
"In the winter these camps could
serve as community centres. thus helping
To relieve the loneliness which is one OF
the chief causes OF the away from the
land movement that has worried us all
so much. The buildings would be SIM
pie and practically unframed men could
put them up under oversight
Mrs Steele advocated the Govern
ments giving its contracts for deny
drafted foods. Jams and jellies to the
Womans Land Army. in that way the
fruit and vegetable supplies could be
saved without the trouble Of transnorta-
ton. and what the Government didn't
require for the army and navy could be
stored to be used needed by the peo-
pie OF the state" she said.
Resume of Work.
Mrs Burgess in her report gave a re-
mobilization In 1917 and of its growth
force which the Federal Department Of
take over
New York branch OF the United states
said the farnerettes needn't he afraid of
soldiers who were farm. workers now
wanted to take up Other lines. Also
farmerettes were popular with the farm
own camps and didn't have 10 be
served Dr. Krchwey. made hit with
the farmers wife.
Miss Edith Diehl, formerly head OF
Army Mrs. William Sporberg of Port
chester, Mrs Benjamin Howes, Mrs.
Margaret Neale OF the United States
Mann were other speakers. The conven-
Ton mil r,,I 7 NJ