Evening star., 1942-01-23
Club President
Hits Attitude Of
u. 5. Women
Federation Head
>Criticizes Selfish
Defense Efforts

Scolding the women Of America
for their attitude toward defense,
Mrs. John L. Whitehurst, president
Of the General Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs, told 500 members and
officials Of her organization today
that the womanhood of the United
States was "apathetic" before Pearl
Harbor and since then has lost abil-
ity for quiet, intelligent reasoning"
I'm 20 years of activity in women's
organizations I have never known
women to quarrel so bitterly over
supremacy of leadership" in defense
work, she reported.
"The majority want to be generals,
but few want to work without honor
Of some kind" Mrs. Whitehurst, a
resident Of Baltimore. told the group
gathered at the Mayhower Hotel for
board meeting and defense forum.
She Is member of the Advisory
Council to the Women's Interest
Section Of the War Department and
serves on the National Advisory
Board Of the Red Cross. She COM
plains she has heard too often the
questions:
Who is to be boss?"
will I head the diviSion?"
May wear q uniform?"
will I receive certificate?"
Selfishness Held Dominant.
Selfishness is dominating our
people today, she said In her presi-
Dental report. She pointed out that
Hitler has stated many times that
we would fight among ourselves until
we would weaken our defense
mechanism. This is happening in
our great country today"
Mrs. Whitehurst told her officials
they should organize groups in each
OF the 5000 communities where we
nave federated clubs and start an
educational campaign to Undue our
people with something more than
materialistic thinking" Suggesting
that Americans stop using such ex-
presslons as Slap the Japs" and
Fight the Hun" as developing a
nate complex, the organization presi-
cent demanded that we send our
poys INTO battle, if necessary, with the
song, Onward Christian Soldiers
continuing her criticism. Mrs.
Whltehurst declared that "the in
PRODUCTION of politics in the defense
setup is retarding American pre-
paredness. She protested however,
mat much criticism was unjustified
and specifically mentioned that di-
rected against Mrs. Roosevelt and
Mayor La Guardia, director of eli.
villain defense.
Other Work Just as Vital.
She claimed this developed from
undue 1mpatience after Pearl Har-
Dor and described the situation az
follows:
thousands rushed to the Red
Cross for f1rst-aid courses. REQUESTS
came IN for training for ambulance
drivers, nurses and aviators. Women
had lost their quiet, intelligent rea-
soning. You could not convince
them that the housing, consumer.
agricultural, industrial and conser-
Vation programs were just as vital
as the more spectacular activities.
They did not realize that such
programs probably would be needed
long before first aid, ambulance
driving and aviation. The Red Cross
needed nurses aids, but this means
hard work in the hospital and it did
not have the same appeal.
This excitement lasted about one
week and then apathy again mani
tested ITSELF" she declared.
She reported that even after Pearl
Harbor she received letters contend
ing the Federation of Womens
CLUBS should not work on any de-
tense plans. Following a tour she
made Of Is States, Mrs. Whitehurst
recalled receiving many letters stat
Ing that she must be on the pay roll
OF Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Churchill"
1t may interest you to know"
she said, that a number of women
wrote that they prayed for me each
night because could not seem to
comprehend that all talk about de-
tense was propaganda"
The women were to hear Mayor
La Guardia, Secretary Of Navy
Knox, Brig. Gen. Frank E. Lowe and
Assistant Secretary of Commerce
Hinckley. Mrs. Roosevelt will pre-
side at a civilian defense forum at
$50 o'clock tonight. The conven-
ton, opening today, will continue
through Monday.