The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-05-22
MEMBER OF
THE ASSOCIATED 2
WOMEN IN DEFENSE


Several weeks ago there we're
stories sfloat In Washington that
Mrs. Roosevelt had launched pro-
motion for a plan TO register women
OF the country much the same as
men have been registered. Now
comes the word from officials that
a home defense program for wom-
en- S 10 be launched In response TO
requests from the women. They
have established their priority. 1t
Is said, with a flood Of demands
for a chance TO help and 50 the new
Office Of Civilian Defense will give
them first consideration.
Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia
OF New York City, as director OF the
new agency, will undertake an I'M
precedented peacetime mobilization
OF all sectors OF the non.miittary
population for the protection and
maintenance OF civilian activities
during the emergency.
The board for civilian protection
will be composed OF representatives
of the War, Navy and Justice De-
partments, the Federal Security
Agency. the Council Of State Gov
ernments. the American Municipal
Association and the U. 8. Confer
ence OF Mayors.
A volunteer participation commit
tee will be composed OF 20 mem
bsrs representing various regions
and interests OF the nation. Ap-
pointed by the President the com
mittee viii serve as an advisory
and planning body IN developing
programs for constructive civilian
participation In the defense effort.
Initially the OCD will concentrate
on the civilian participation phase
of the home defense program. This
is expected 10 bring home TO the
masses the situation confronting
this country and make people gen.
orally more defense conscious"
Men on selective service rolls
who are least likely TO be summoned
for military training. about so per
cent OF the 100000 men SO far
classified. and who have been
placed in class 3, are expected 10
furnish a large number OF volun-
teers for home defense.
Another class that could provide
useful men for civilian protection,
includes those who have been d.
ferred because OF prior military
service. These men could do guard
duty. when needed, at bridges, wa
tervorks, and power stations.
The program for homo defense
work designed especially for wom-
en-. has not been made public, but
its drafters have received dozens
of suggestions. Here are a few:
Women volunteers could serve as
assistants TO hospital nurses and
thus learn first hand about sickness
and first aid.
switchboard jobs 10 hospitals and
other public and semi-public insti.
tutions.
They could plan prepare and
gerve school lunches TO obtain ex.
perience In mass feeding, thus max.
ing them eligible 10 serve in public
kitchens during emergencies.
They could be formed into volun-
teer motor corps in each commun-
ityr and be trained for evacuation
and ambulance work.
They could serve, as we'll as men,
IN the role OF air raid spoilers.
They could I'll many other posi-
lions OF importance. but why? Are
we so near actual participation in
the war that all this is necessary?
Has the all aid short OF war" slo-
gan been definitely changed now
10 ALI aid and participation in
war;"
II We are actually on the verge
of war, there should be more en-.
thusiasm for H. We are a sadly d..
vtded nation, so badly divided that
when you hear a man say we will
win" you wonder n he means the
German Bund and the Russian con-
trolled Communists will tie over
the country, or is he a Democratic
minded American who means the
Bund and Communists will be
cleaned out and Hitler subdued.
The comment that we are follow
ing In the footsteps OF France is
coming TO be more and more com
mon. And added TO that is the cues
ton, asked now and then partly in
jest, what shall we be fighting for
and what shall we have left after
the fighting is over7"
Now is the time 10 see 10 II that
what we fight for Is the democratic
America that we love and that when
the fighting Is over we shall have
that kind Of an America, a better
America, a more American America
even than we have today.
-O-