The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-05-17
Every Worker Must Remember
She Is Valuable to Economic
Life of the Nation.
ASSIST IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Should Utilize Household Experiences
Employ All Their Human Anee-
ton and Exert Whole Capae-
ity Of understanding.
By MISS JANE adams.

DuTIUx THESE eNSIltlul "Aeh
the awakened minds and aroused con-
sciences Of the entire civilized world
are turned towards measures of re-
construction, it is well for women to
ask themselves what distinctive part
they will bear in this tremendous I'M
dertaking which involves not only the
welfare of all living women but the
future of their childrec.
1t is obvious that the women OF
America have most advantageous
position in this task. Women in this
country have always had q unique
freedom from traditional restrictions
and unusual opportunities for higher
education in schools. American women
have become organized into social and
educational clubs, into mutual benefit
societies, into religious and nationals
! tic groups whose membership counts
into the millions. Many of these or
CARNATIONS reflect the cosmopolitan
| composition of American society and
! all Of them register the relatively high
| intelligence and independence OF
| American women. The courses of
as well as their cosmopolitan member
ship, have prepared thousands OF
women to take a disinterested, far
sighted view of public affairs. In
those states in which women have
| been voting and in many other states
through their suffrage organizations,
women have long been studying polit-
ical questions. At this tumultuous
! moment when the fall Of Russian and
German autocracy has so momentous-
ly changed the world outlook, it IS
hoped that these women have a sense
of historical perspective, and that
they may be able to capitalize our
political history for the benefit of 9th
er nations. urging the experience Of
this country In the abolition Of legal
barriers between the several states,
the giving Of equal rights to all citi-
zens, the establishment of federal
supreme court, and the necessity Of
federal control over the common high
ways Of commerce.
1t is also hoped that they will be
able to hold fast to that good will so
desperately needed for the healing Of
the nations. by remembering the valu-
able contributions to American life
made by people who have emigrated
here from every country In Europe.
Already a desire to help nations less
fortunate than our own has expressed
itself among women in many ways.
While congress has been advocating a
restriction Of immigration for the next
four years, I have heard American
women urge that women's organiZa-
lions Of various sorts might well offer
to take care Of war widows with lit
tie children who wished to emigrate
to the United States, by guarantee
ing to the government that such fam
fly groups should not become public
charges. Women would undertake
such task in all humility of spirit,
realizing that the United States has
been subjected to the strain of war for
a shorter time than the other powers.
Women Have Had Much to Do.
American women as whole have
also enjoyed higher standard Of living
than those Of any other country, and
through the invention Of machinery
and labor-saving devices have been
relieved of much of the drudgery
which women in other countries have
borne in their households. They have
been able to respond in overwhelming
numbers to the service under the Red
Cross for the preparation Of hospital
supplies, and clothing for war refu-
gees. Women Of all sorts have met in
groups under nationwide auspices to
respond to these demands, and have
found not only q heightened patriot
ism, but 4 new sense Of comradeship
In the mutual tasks. The resUDD q
much Of this activity will remain in
America itself, in the establishment of
country nursing and Of community
councils, or in the development of
those war activities Instituted by tho
children's bureau, which resulted in a
more accurate knowledge Of the
status Of the children in the nation,
and in the provision for adequate care
for all maternity cases. even when the
mothers live in remote pioneer parts
of the country
The women responsible for 22,OOO.-
600 kitchens who were asked during
the war to modify their accustomed
ways. to make a technical study Of
resources to conscientiously conserve
food, will be obliged to continue such
effort II the worlds immediate needs
are to be met. Fortunately thousands
Of American women have so stretched
their sympathy and sense Of respon-
sibility to include the care Of children
in Belgium and in Armenia, that they
can never again become Indifferent to
them. These women have also real
ICED that II at the end Of the war,
whole populations are left depleted by
malnutritIon and their national vital
ity thus permanently lowered. such ma
lions will be able to make little use Of
the great gifts Of political freedom
an. denomination which thn a,r