The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-03-06
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Eleanor Roosevelt

thing the farmers can feel fairly
sure will not often be used by them,
for it is too costly to waste a bomb
on isolated farms.
The thing which appealed to me
was the converted truck, equipped
in way for which any farm family
could provide. They had large milk
cans placed in barrels, one surround
ed by excelsior, and the other sur
rounded by newspapers. I was told
they could keep food hot in the can
surrounded by newspapers for II
hours in zero weather.
They had also arranged compart-
ments on the fireless cooker princi-
pie, in which they could put large
cans, drawers which could pull out
and hold supplies, cooking and eat
ing utensils, and portable canned
gas stove which could heat large
quantity of food. This truck could
feed $50 people at an emergency
meal in a very short time.
The book fair, the art exhibit by
Ithaca artists, and the craft work
done primarily by women, were all
interesting exhibits. could have
spent much more time seeing them
than I was able to give to any one
thing.
CIVILIAN DEFENSE
While in Ithaca spent an hour
and a half at a regional meeting for
civilian defense, called by Mrs. Os-
wald Lord, the regional director.
Federal staff members and regional
staff members met with representa-
tives of the different states in this
region. 1t was a very interesting
meeting and I think some good sug-
gestions came out of it. / was par
ticularly happy to see some Of the
new staff of the Office Of Civilian
Defense in action, and to feel how
well they are all carrying out their
jobs.
Mr.. James Lands has issued q
statement in which he says what !
have known to be true for a long
while: that it has never been COM
pletely decided where physical fit
ness, as division, should be placed.
Many of the things which Mr.. John
Kelly is so ably doing, are things
which should be done year in and
year out. Perhaps, therefore, per-
rnanent government agency is where
his organization would function best.
He has done very good job and
enlisted people who can interest both
old and young in keeping themselves
in good condition. I think no one
will question the necessity for young
and old, rich and poor, in this coun-
try to be physically fit.
TO SYRACUSE
We drove to Syracuse in the after
noon, and were grateful for the clear
weather. In spite of the cold, there
was comparatively little snow and
ice on the road.
We met with the defense council
in the morning, and saw the volun-
teer bureau, established under the
local defense council. They are get
ting on very well with their work
and Mrs. Pennock, who heads the
voluntary participation part of the
civilian defense program for the
state, has done very fine job.
The same difficulties arise in ev-
cry community, of course. Some
volunteers do not take their duties
seriously enough and fail in meet
ing professional standards. Some
agencies are hesitant about taking
on the training and placing of vol
unteers. BY and large it seemed to
me that if Syracuse and, Science
tady, which I visited in the after
noon, are good examples of what is
happening in the state, then we can
be proud of the organization here.
The youth council in Schenectady
is composed of a group of young peo-
pie who are anxious to play their
part in the life of their city. They
held most successful meeting.
UNEMPLOYMENT
In reading the papers this morn
ing, I could not help wondering how
the displaced men feel in industries
all over the country. They are anx-
ious to get to work but, for the time
being, must wait for industries to
be converted to new uses. Members
of congress and governors Of states
talk about increasing the unemploy-
ment compensation to possible $24.
People seem to forget that this I'M
employment compensation usually
must cover the needs of families
ranging from four to six members
rent, food, heat, light, clothing, rec
reation, education, medical care
must all come out of this sum.
Could the congressman do it on any