Evening star., 1941-02-06
Agencies Offer Aid
To Solve Defense
Welfare Problems
MeNutt to Confer With
Recreation Authorities
Here on Monday

Here on Monday
Pointing out that many COM
nunities near military training
posts and defense industry centers
are obviously unable to meet the
additional social service burdens
being thrust on them, virtually all
the Nations major health and well
fare private agencies have offered
their facilities and counsel to the
National Defense Commission.
The present situation IN such
communities, according to the Ma
Eonal Social Work Council, con-
Stitutes a major defense problem
which must soon be dealt with
Members of the council-which
represents % national groups such
as the Red Cross, Community
Chests Catholic Charities and Jew
Ish Welfare Board-have met sew
eral times with Paul v. McNutt, CO.
ordinator of health and welfare &C
tivities for the Defense Commission.
Mr.. McNutt has asked number OF
recreation authorities from public
and private agencies to confer with
him here Monday. This may be the
hrst OF a series of meetings on vari-
Gus defense problems assigned to
Mr.. McNutt's division.
Reports Submitted.
At his request, larger private So
eial service agencies have submitted
10 Mr.. McNutt detailed reports on
their current activities and outlines
OF additional tasks they could per-
form.
The National Social Work Coun-
ell, headed by Robert E. Bondy. Dis
trict Director of Public Welfare. for
several months has been studying
defense problems that might fall
under its scope. After consultation
with three other associated groups
the National Observation-Disclosures
Council, the National Health Coun-
ell and the Social Case Work Coun-
ell of National Agencies-it con-
eluded that adjustment Of health
and welfare services to defense
needs should follow certain prin-
ciples.
Foremost was that the Federal
Government should have the pri-
mary responsibility of starting, lead
ing and financing the comprehensive
program needed.
1t suggested, too that existing.
agencies should be utilized as much
as possible, with fiexibility being
allowed for local adaptations to meet
local situations.
Coordination Urged.
It also recommended that ma
honal, State and local programs be
co-ordinated through joint planning
by public and private agencies.
Most of the new work to be done
aside from social work maintained
at an adequate level in home COM
munities and activities Of special
Army and Navy units and the Red
Gross in military posts proper-will
be, it was agreed. in communities
near military camps and defense in
dustries.
While some of the latter COM
munities are big enough and have
sufficient resources to adapt their
own programs to meet defense needs.
others are not. In commenting on
them the National Council of Social
Work said:
Despite the unorganiZed nature
OF many of these smaller environ
mental communities, they have so
far been expected to meet the i'm
possible burdens being thrust on
them. Their obvious inability to
do so with any degree of effective
ness constitutes a major defense
problem which soon must be dealt
with. Under whatever auspices and
with whatever funds these COM
munities are aided to expand their
facilities in response to new de-
mands, the task of organization
should not be longer delayed"
Problems Expected to Arise.
Among the particular problems
that may be expected 10 arise In
defense industry communities and
those near military posts the council
pointed out that there will be need
for expanded individual welfare and
family security services in connec-
ton with the separation of families,
failure of individuals to get or retain
Jobs, adjustment of persons to new
employment, need for relief pending
establishment of residence and dim
Guilty In obtaining housing.
Important, too. it was explained,
h the problem that Mr.. McNutt's
conference will consider here Mon
dsy-that of provision of proper
recreation for young soldiers off the
military reservation and defense
workers In smaller communities.
Destructive use of leisure time in
such cases, the council believes.
CONSTITUTES serious threat to
morale, health and military effec-
tiveness - and affects the future
well-being of the men and their
home communities
The National Social Work Council
Is conference body composed OF
executive officers from the following
national organizations: American
Association for Labor Legislation,
American Country Life Association,
American Public Welfare Associa-
ton, American National Red Cross,
American Social Hygiene Associa-
ton, Boy Scouts OF America, Boys
Clubs of America. Camp Fire Girls,
Child Welfare League of America,