Evening star., 1940-04-16
D. A. R. Urged 10 Take
Vital Role in Fight
On Ruthless Hate
Mrs. Becker Stresses
Need for Moral and
Spiritual Revival

The Daughters of the American
Revolution. launching the first
work-day of their 49th Continental
Congress, today were urged by one
of their former presidents general
to pledge themselves against the
ruthless hate" and brutal force"
abounding in the world and to press
forward a moral and spiritual re-
vival."
Mrs. William A. Becker, one of the
six former presidents general to
greet more than 1000 delegates in
Constitution Hall, declared that for
today's needs religion must take a
dominant and vital role" and that
mere change of social machinery
accomplshes little.
Advocates of a new and more
progressive America" Mrs. Becker
emphasized, regard social reform
as all important, but it is valueless
unless built on the firm foundation
OF characterize moral and spir-
itual integrity of a people"
Mrs. Henry M. Robert, jr., the
president general, told the dele
gates in her annual report that they
should count their membership in
the D. A. R. among your blessings
in this troubled year"
Foresight and Courage.
During the year." she said, ''you
have seen many who have formerly
doubted the justification of the So
ciety's position in urging that the
menaces of our free institutions and
our American way of life be brought
into the light, change their opinion
to one of respect for the society S
foresight and courage"
Mrs. Robert added that there still
are those who misunderstood,
those who think our membership
and policies are antiquated." To
instill in this group recognition of
the D. A. r. as a 'benefactor of our
Nation" Mrs. Robert called on the
members to act with courage and
cooperation" and with the "con-
sentrated purpose of placing the So
ciety always above its members"
Mrs. Robert said her official visits
during the last year have included
travels of more than $4,000 miles,
with addresses made In 81 States
In her discussion of the activities OF
the State societies incident to the
celebration of the D. A. R. Golden
Jubilee, Mrs. Robert reported that
more than $4,000 in projects al
ready had been made known and
added that societies which have not
announced their prospective ac-
tivities would increase this figure by
several thousand dollars.
Urged to Reread History
Mrs. Leland Stanford Duxbury
historian general. challenged the
delegates to reread their American
history, adding that Historical
short-sightedness is decidedly out
of date"
She commended the State histo-
rians for their unusual work" dur
ing the year and pointed to a large
number of historical projects now
under way throughout the country.
Mrs. Duxbury said 969 chapters
co-operated with other historical
societies, gave aid to the formation
of new historical societies and as
sisted with Federal projects. More
than $500 history pageants. plays
and exhibits we're given while 40
sketches and plays were written by
members, she said, adding that 1909
chapters celebrated historical anni-
versaries during the 12-month
period.
The standing rules for the conduct
of the Congress were adopted with
out objection at the suggestion Of
(C0ntinIed m pn1A A N0lumn I \