Evening star., 1940-08-02
Mrs. Roosevelt Urges
All Assume Tasks 10
Promote Defense
Speuks at Dinner Meeting
Of Conference Called by
Miss Harriet Elliott

Complete mobilization of individ-
ual talents and service for defense
with each feeling he has his own
specific task to perform, was sug-
gested last night by Mrs. Franklin
D. Roosevelt as the goal toward
which this Nation and its citizens
should strive.
Speaking at a dinner meeting OF
leaders of some 60 civic, educa-
tional, patriotic and religious Or
ganizations, who with representa-
tives of some 80 Government agen-
cies are meeting in special confer
ence in the Willard Hotel called
by Miss Harriet Elliott, head of the
Division of Consumer Protection OF
the National Defense Advisory Com
mission, Mrs. Roosevelt urged that
every one be made to feel there is
a definite place for him in this
country and that he has specific
job to perform.
Il think we ought to see in our
own community that nobody feels
there isn't a place for him in this
country" The real conception OF
democracy, she said, is based on
religion and the idea that every one
is interested in the welfare of others
and of the Nation as whole.
Emphasizes Each's Responsibility.
Aside from the question of watch
ing the supply of raw materials SO
there can be production, Mrs
Roosevelt emphasized, there is the
more far-reaching problem of max
ing each individual in a community
feel his responsibility in the ma
tional defense program.
Mrs Roosevelt, who flew here
from Hyde Park, N. Y, to address
the conference, said, "I don't believe
a nation is really fully prepared
today to meet war unless it is
really modified as nation"
She urged the training of women
in communities to cook and carry
forward welfare programs, such as
serving hot lunches to school chill
dren and in other ways seeing that
the welfare of every one is looked
after. Community programs should,
she suggested, mean there is a job
for every one to perform.
At one point in her address Mrs.
Roosevelt said persons who have
jobs should not give them up, but
rather should intensity their work
and be ready to do whatever is asked
of them in connection with the de-
fense program.
Members of the conference were
to be received by President Roose-
welt at the White House today at
noon.
Recommendations to Be Made.
The conference, which yesterday
met in separate discussion groups,
was scheduled to make suggestions
and general recommendations for a
program of cooperation to Miss
Elliott today at general closed ses-
sion. The recommendations are to
be taken under advisement by Miss
Elliott and from them she hoped to
get valuable ideas and plans which
she may recommend to the National
Defense Commission. Under tenta-
tive plans. Miss Elliott expects to
hold a press conference tomorrow
to outline some Of the results of the
conference.
AS presiding officer at last nights
dinner meeting, Miss Elliott pointed
out that discussions have revolved
around economic phases of the de-
fense program that might affect the
consumer.
Leon Henderson, member of the
National Defense Commission and
a commissioner of the Security and
Exchange Commission, was a guest
at last nights dinner.
Questions Taken Up.
Questions taken up yesterday
afternoon by the various discussion
groups were:
"Consumer-Buyer Problems" led
by Mrs. Sadie Orr Dunbar, presi-
dent of the General Federation of
Women's CLUBS.
Nutrition as a Basis for Physical
Fitness" led by Morris L. Cooke,
former administrator of the Rural
Electrifcation Administration.
Public Health and Consumer AS
poets of Housing" led by Malcolm
S. MacLean, director of the General
College, University of Minnesota.
Social Well-Being," led by Frank
Graham, president of the University
of North Carolina.
The Consumer Advisers Office
and Organized Civic Groups" led
by w. w. Waymack. editor, Des
Moines Register and Tribune.