Evening star., 1941-04-18
D. D.: 4. R. Hears.MeNutf
Criticize Snobbishness
Against Soldiers
Sees Health Problem If
EomiIies Forbid Girls
To Meat SeIectees

10 MelV SeIeCtees
Federal Security Administrator
McNutt chided "so-caled finer fami-
lies" who refuse TO associate with
men from military reservations near
their communities in an address last
night before the 50th Continental
Congress of the National Society,
Daughters Of the American Revolu-
tion, in Constitution Hall.
Mentioning reports from some
communities. which he said are in
the minority, Mr.. McNutt declared
such groups "are very glad to have
our. young men give up their jobs
and even risk their lives for their
country, but these boys are not con-
sidered good enough to mingle
with the families who receive the
benefits Of their military training"
Citing as an example the attitude
OF certain wornen's volunteer
agencies. planning dances for SOL
diers, he said they have shown
great zeal in making arrangements
Tor these dances, which they refuse
to allow their own daughters to at
tend.
Sees Problems Created.
The consequences are obvious.
The unattached women who come
TO these dances are often motivated
by certain ancient commercial in
terests and the trainees have no
other choice of companionship.
Thus, the very social and health
problems breeding the greatest dam
ger to both trainees and community
may be traced directly to the atti-
tude of those women who fear these
problems most. The active but half
hearted work of these women has
helped to create the problem"
Warning the Daughters not to
stake comfort in wishful thinking
that it can't happen here-not in my
town or my State" the Federal Sc
curity administrator pointed out:
You cannot pride yourselves on
patriotism by donating ping-pong
tables to a community center when
12-year-old .newsboys are getting
rich quick by charging 50 a head to
introduce local girls, many of them
still in high school, to the hundreds
Of out-of-towners working in long.
closed but now rejuvenated defense
industry factories"
Suggests Activities.
Speaking as co-ordinator of
health, welfare and related ac-
tivities affecting the national de-
fense, Mr.. McNutt suggested D. A. R.
chapters might assist by making
door-to-door canvasses Of housing
available for defense workers, take
the lead in establishing community
recreation centers for soldiers and
set up clearing committees to "see
that boys and families with kindred
interests are brought together"
do not attempt to take over the
Armys work in It's camps" he urged.
"You will find your responsibilities
on your own city streets"
The co-ordinator asked the society
to Cooperate in the Forthcoming
drive for s1o,7oo, 600 to be made by
the United Service Organizations for
National Defense, nen-profat ergani-t
zation set up with Government ap-
iproval to prevent duplication in
nesting the religious, welfare and
reereational needs of men In the ex-
panding military and naval estab-
Lshments and defense industry.
Immediately before Mr.. McNutt's
address, the tellers reported, and the
expected election of the unopposed
ticket headed by Mrs. william H.
Pouch of New York, candidate for
president general, was announced.
OF the 1881 votes cast for the top
Office In the organization, Mrs. |
Pouch received 1873. Mrs. Frank |
Leon Mason. retiring registrar gen.
eral, was given 56 'write-in" votes,
and the remaining were scattered.
Miss Chenoweth Elected,
In the sole contest of the election,
Miss Lillian M. Chenoweth, former
State regent of the District of CO.
luinbia, placed third among six can
didates for four vice president gen.
eralships not accounted for BY Mrs.
Poucf1's slate, receiving 1,244 votes.
The other three victors were Mrs.
William Wesley Brothers, Idaho,
1908; Mrs. James r. Donahue, Ohio,
1911. and Mrs. ELY Ruff Barnes,
Alabama, 1925.
Mrs. Henry M. Robert, jr, retiring
president general, was elected
honorary president general with but
10 votes cast in opposition.
The rewly-eiected officers received
informally on the platform after the
session.
In her farewell address as presi-
dent general, Mrs. Robert told the
members that tthe society must not
expect to be popular"
1T happens that within recent
years there has come new appre-
citation Of the soundness of the So
eietyjs opinion upon national defense
and subversive activities over a
long period Of years" she pointed
out. There will always be times
when those who do not stand for
the same ideals, those who do not
understand the factors underlying
the. society's action will criticize.
Because Its character and purposes
indicate dignity of action, 1t must
often remain silent, even In face of
statements based on insufficient
k,,ouIedpe or n1isinfornation. It |