Evening star., 1940-07-05
Suggests Co-ordinotor
For Volunteer Effort
Writer Says Director Of
Civil Enterprises
Is Wanted

Is Wanted
To the Editor of The Star:
Millions of Americans are awake to
the peril in which their way Of life has
been placed by tyranny's triumphs in
Europe. Their fears and their will to
resist lead them to seek, almost franti-
cally, some channel through which they
can lend their personal efforts even in
spare hours, to perfecting the national
defense. A feeling of nervous futility
saps the morale and disturbs the bal
ance of all who cannot find practical
outlet for this powerful reaction against
the bloody and ruthless program of the
dictators Of Germany and Italy. They
have a vital need OF leadership which
will unite them physically and morally
in preparation to meet what they know
may be their greatest and their final
war of independence.
The country cannot afford to let these
aroused energies turn back upon them
selves in criticism of the slowness of de-
fense without mobilization. They prompt
ly must be directed into constructive
fields of preparation; or that which is
now a common and noble impulse to
work for the preservation of individual
liberties will drive them to quarrel
among themselves. A union of thought
and effort is only possible among peo-
10 for bo in 1r,l,i
believe. Millions who cannot partici-
pate directly in armament production or
enlist in the military establishment have
the most urgent personal need of direc-
tion as to how they can help. The
answer is a co-ordinator or director of
civilian volunteer activities for defense
to be attached if possible to the National
Defense Council.
His specific functions would be: l.
To determine the extent to which the
usual items of war relief-bandageS,
clothing and food-are required by refu-
gees and captives in the conquered de-
mocracies, and coordinate the efforts
of private volunteer war relief agencies
with those of the Red Cross and the
Government itself. 2. To estimate the
probable food shortage in captive areas
due to the halting or destruction of
agriculture by war operations, and to
outline the extent to which individual
gardening and canning by volunteers in
America can meet the menace of famine
among peoples in Europe who made their
sacrifices for the same ideals and whose
survival is important to us. 3. To pre-
pare to replace in civil life the mecha-
nicians and skilled labor which rapidly
will be drawn into armament production
and special military training. T. To
acquaint volunteer groups with modern
methods of mechanical attack by air,
land or sea, and the known means of
protecting civilians without impeding
operations of the defending forces. S. To
acquaint volunteer groups of men over
40 with the nature of modern weapons
and the means of organizing interior de-
fenses. 6. Supervision and coordination
of the propaganda of privately organized
groups, and surveillance of subversive
propaganda, some of which may be in
nocent and misguided patriotism. 7.
Surveillance of fifth column activities
through the widely scattered volunteer
groups.
These are only few of the number
less useful activities which a co-ordina-
tor might suggest to those who feel the
immediate need of personal effort in the
common cause. From day to day the
Government itself will find uses for VOL
unteer help outside of the budgeted pro-
gram of defense.
National unity through participation
in needed work for the Nation is the
keystone of this suggestion.
July 2. C. LAW WATKINS.
Urges Secretary Hull
For Nomination.
To the Editor of The Star:
Democrats should not forget that
Tennessee has the best-fitted man to
carry on the great work of the present
administration in foreign affairs-Cor-
dell Hull, Secretary of State.
Certainly the world situation is so
critical as to make experience and
familiarity with foreign affairs primary
requisite in choosing a candidate for
President.
Mr.. Willkie claims to be in substantial
accord with the Hull and Roosevelt
foreign policy, but he is wholly without
experience in this important respect.
Mr.. Hull has experience He could
carry on without any break in con-
tinuity and without violating any of our