Evening star., 1942-01-16
Women 'sUnit
|0f Defense Body
Faces Shake-up
O'Conor Proposes
Changes as More
Members Resign
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, Jan. l6.-A reor-
ganization of the womans division
of the State Defense Council was
projected today after resigning
members sharply criticized the or
ganization.
Gov. O'Conor proposed that the
division be merged with the defense
council and a woman co-ordinator
appointed to full-time, paid job at
council headquarters.
Even as the Governor proposed
the step, two more women resigned
from the unit, with one. Mrs. Ru-
dolph S. Allen of College Park,
charging that the organization was
controlled by political groups for
future political favoritism."
Mrs. Allen, past president of the
Maryland State Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs, resigned as Americaniza.
ton Committee chairman because IT
do not intend to remain in any war
emergency organization that is in
any way controlled by political
groups for future political favor
itism.
Criticism Held Inexcusable.
THE unjustifiable, inexcusable,
and inaccurate criticisms that have
been directed by a minority group
against the womens division and its
distinguished chairman, Mrs. John
l.. Whitehurst, have naturally be-
come an issue with her loyal asso-
ciates.
With the world at war it i'll be-
comes any citizen Of Maryland to
villify the Free State of Maryland
with jealous, personal and political
disputes, discounting the efforts OF
earnest, 100 per cent American wom-
en- and thus doing exactly what the
enemy desires, creating unrest among
leaders and war workers" she said:
MY war efforts will have to be
continued in some other field"
Mrs. Mervin G. Pierpont, women's
division executive director. resigned
at the same time Both women SAID
they resented unjust criticism" of
Mrs. Whitehurst.
hCu
Mrs. Whitehurst announced her
resignation Wednesday night as
State chairman Of the division. ex-
planning her duties as president Of
the General Federation of Women's
Clubs required most of her time.
Mrs. Howard S. Jones, Baltimore
County chairman, and Is members
of her administrative staff resigned
at the same time. and Mrs Jones in
statement declared the county Or
ganization had gone, I believe, as
far as it can possibly go without the
authority and support. of a properly
managed State organization"
Gov. O'Conor said the women's
unit under his proposal would no
longer be a separate division.
The particular activities in which
the women have been engaged will
be carried on under the district
councils of defense and each county
and the city of Baltimore would
have its own woman director who
would become a member of the dis
trict council"
Purpose Has Been Served
Gov. O'Conor said the purpose OF
the creation Of the womens division
has now been served. It's program
has been definitely formulated and
is available to the various units in
the counties of the State as well
as in the city of Baltimore
Generally speaking we are not
departing from the original plan but
are revising it in order to meet the
unparalleled situation that has de-
veloped since Pearl Harbor. The in
creased need for womens services is
manifest and the coordination Of
these separate undertakings is essen
tial for good administration. 1 think
the plan now being suggested will
answer this purpose"
He added that Mrs. Whitehurst
would continue as a member of the
State Council.