The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-24
Frederick Haskin' sLetter
a Home for Peace Societies

Washington, d. c., Nov. 22.-The
numerous organizations that are
working for the reduction OF arma-
ments are going to concentrate their
efforts at Washington during the
conference.
A national council for limitation
of ornaments has been formed,
with 90 of the 70-odd peace advo-
eating organizations already en-
rolled as active or cooperating
members
Such well known organizations as
the American Federation of Labor,
the National Grange, and National
Women's Trade Union League, and
the American Union against mill
tarism are among the members of
the new council. The ideas of the
organizations as regards peace
possibilities range from the firm
belief that absolute disarmament
could be safely achieved TO moder-
ate views on limitation of ship
building. For the first time, they are
getting together on their common
interest-the promotion of peace
regardless of their differences of
opinion as to how peace should be
brought about
The national council which rep
resents these organizations as a
cleaning house for their peace in
terests has taken a house and
mapped out a campaign for the con-
ference season.
The house is strategically situated
across the street from the state
war and navy building, with the
Pan-American building, where con-
ference meetings will be held, only
. two blocks away. 1t is an old his
toric residence. In early presi-
Dental administrations its high
ceilinged parlors must have seen
formal balls and dinners of the Of
fetal set. But like many other old
residences in Washington, it has
been stranded, as the fashionable
section of the city wandered away
from the neighborhood of the ex-
ecutiVe mansion. After these digni-
fed homes being to- look a little
seedy and stand vacant a while they
meet one of two fateS: either they
become boarding houses, or else
office rooms.
The new councils headquarters,
| 1872 Seventeenth street, became a
government Office as far back as
! 1860 General Grant had his head
quarters there, convenient to the
| war department, during the Civil
war. After that, it became depot
quartermaster office, and was used
for this purpose through the re
cent war.
The Peace House.
Now, after being the scene OF war
preparations for SO long the old
white brick residenc is to furnish
setting for discussions of peace
The national council expects to
keep only a room or two for it's
offices. The rest of the lower floor
will be made into reception rooms,
library and writing rooms, and per
haps a tea room. 1t hopes that
guests 10 the city and all who are
/ Interested in a lasting peace will
drop in at this headquarters. and
a cup of tea or a hot lunch is a
strong drawing card. College girls
who are anxious TO raise money
for a fund may take charge of this
tea room
The residence is being furnished
/ by women of Washington. They
are lending furniture, pictures, and
hangingS TO make the rooms at
tractive. hoping that the council
headquarters will become a popu-
| lar meeting place.
| Forums are to be held there at
which visitors from different coun-
tries will be invited to explain sit
uations and talk over conditions in
| formally Press representatives
are to be assisted by the council,
which will furnish information on
the side lights of armament Ques-
| tons.
The secretary of the national
council for Limitation of armament
is Frederick J. Libby. Mr. Libby