Evening star., 1942-03-31
Mrs. Rogers Explains
Bill for Women's
Auxiliary Corps
Representative Points to
Valuable Service in
Talk Over Rodio Forum

gress to establish . women's Army
auxiliary corps were discussed last
night BY Representative Edith
Nourse Rogers. Republican. Of
Massachusetts, In the National Ra-
dio Forum. arranged by The Star
and broadcast over the Blue Net
work. The text Of the address, heard
locally over Station WMAL, follows:
am very grateful to the National
Radio Forum and to the Blue Net
work for this opportunity to ten
you about my bill to create .
Womenx Army Auxiliary Corps.
This bill has the strong indorse-
ment Of the Secretary Of War and
the Chief Of Stan, Gen. Marshall,
who both urge its immediate pass
age.
The idea Of . women's auxiliary or
ganization, to serve with the United
States Army In . military capacity,
Is not . new one with me. So far
back Is the First World War, when
I was doing war work in England
and France, I saw the need for such
IN adjunct to our military forces.
Great Britain had an especially 1lne
women's auxiliary during that war.
It operated smoothly, efnciently, and
was OF tremendous value In releas-
ing able-bodied men for combat
service-men who were doing work
which could be done rs ably by
women. was thrown in close con-
tact with these auxiliaries, worked
with them myself, and realized how
extremely valuable they were tn
their appointed tasks.
Status Was Vague.
Our Army in the A. E. p. IN France
borrowed more than 1000 Of them
to help in the 8. o. g., for We had
no such organization under military
control We did have many fine
women who served in . civilian
capacity, who gave 1ine service but
who were not under military con-
troll In the strictest sense Of the
word. They were dietitians, physi-
otherapists, telephone operators,
Motor Corps members. Red Gross
workers and many others. They
received no compensation Of any
kind in the event they were sick or
injured-and many were. Their
status was vague. 1t was Z most
unsatisfactory arrangement and has
been the source of much dissatisfac-
ton ever since the armistice.
Many persons have felt as I do.
that these women who gave OF their
service voluntarily. unSelflShly. pa
triotically and under conditions
comparable to that Of the men,
should have received pay privileges
for that service. The knowledge OF
these heart-breaking cases, the Bit
terness which some Of these loyal,
patriotic women felt, was one of
the prime factors IN my plan for .
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.
The American women Of today
are awake to the danger threaten
ing our country. They want an
active part In winning the war.
They are just Is eager, Just Is loyal
and patriotic as their ancestors in
Colonial days, who withstood the
perils and dangers Of Indian war
fare.
The proposal for . Woman's Army
Auxiliary Corps has been considered
soberly and exhaustively by some
Of the largest women's organizations
Of our country. The Business and
Professional Women's Clubs and the
Wmen's Overseas League want to
see 1t become q fact. The General
Federation Of Women's Clubs. en-
bracing BY animation several million
women members. has given the pro-
posal unqualified support. 1t recog-
nizes the important part women can
play IN wartime the countless
number Of jobs women can take
over and 50 release able-bodied SOL
diers for combat duty.
These organizations are in perfect
agreement with my feeling that the
best women should be selected for
service with the Women's Army
Auxiliary Corps-thAt the qualifica-
tions and character of every appu-
cant should be examined and in
vestieated with the greatest Of care
before enrolment IS permitted, 80
that the CORPS will be above reproach
and and membership In it . great
honor. I have the utmost faith
In the women Of America, not only
in their ability to serve but in their
ability TO serve honorably and well.
Enthusiasm for Duty.
For many years our Army has had
its Army Nurse Corps, and it has
been an exemplary service. There
has never been an attack upon it,
nor has there been . word of re-
proach uttered against it. The corps
Is now indispensable and Is an honor
to the profession it serves.
wish it were possible for you
to sit down with me and go over
some Of the letters that have come
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