Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 157, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1918 — Page 2

YOUNG WOMAN AND HER PART IN WAR

Female Helpers Find Many Ways to Aid Government MUST ECONOMIZE IN SKILL Splendid Opportunities Await Those Who Are Anxious to AssistShould Be Able to Do Something Specific. i_ By MARY AUSTIN. (From the Committee on Public Information, Washington, D. C.) What shall she do, the young woman at home, who Is neither the mistress of the house nor a wage earner? How shall she turn back to the general account the care and schooling she has had, and hoW satisfy the hungry desire to serve her country, which is, thank God, as characteristic of our young women as our young men? Every hour since the war my telephone has been ringing with questions like these. Young men are captained and generated. Expert supervision of their patriotic service is at their elbows. They have the splendid inspiration of togetherness, music, banners, shoulder touching shoulder. Even wage-work-ing women have a sense of direction; they see the work that passes through their hands pushed steadily to an end. But the young woman of brains and education and leisure must captain herself. She must find her own job herself. It is all very well for mother to knit and roll bandages in her spare time, which by that process becomes time saved. And though it is no doubt highly patriotic to save food at the expense of time spending, after all, household {economics can only be practiced by those having houses. Red Cross nursing is a privilege of the fit; and requires a long training which few can either physically or financially afford. All these special duties leave a wide margin of capable women who ache to serve.

In France and England the lone woman had no problem, unless It were the difficulty of deciding which of the many things to be done were to be done first But In America labor leaders have warned against clogging the wheels of war Industries with crowds of unskilled women who know-none of the necessities of the wage earners. This Is the wage earners’ opportunity also, and no of zeal on our part should rob them of the chance to carry, as they are, the national burden. But that does not mean that strong welleducated young wombn shall have no part In this war but the traditional hand-waving from the balcony. Capacity Going to Waste. The first condition, however, of the young woman’s getting a specific thing to do Is for her to be able to do something specific. There Is a great deal of formless capacity going to waste In every community—waste of talent and waste of skill. And It Is being wasted largely because we have, as a people, fallen a little into the weakness of democracies, and Imagine we can do nothing by ourselves. We think of something which seems desirable to have done, and we rush out and organize vast machines for cleaning the Streets, when all that was really needed was to sweep out our own front < yard. Women who wish to fill a place ' In the plans of the government must first trim themselves Into some definite shape, as clerks, as secretaries, as mechanicians, or what not. * The trouble with much of our American life Is that It has made us like those cooks who can cook delightfully only so long as they have an unlimited amount of the most expensive materials. We have come to think that we can do very little of anything without the most expensive teachers and pedagogic equipment. But It Is not only In food that we must economize now; we must economize In skill. In every community of 8,000, or even less, there Is enough neglected skill to turn all of its unattached young women into first-rate workers, t Take your town bank, for instance. There Is an expert accountant there, probably eating his heart out because he Is too old or physically unfit for field service. He would be happy to pass on his thirty-five years of expertness to you, to be used as the government is going to have to use women accountants. In your father’s store, very likely, there is a man who could make a bookkeeper out of you in three months, and have the thrill of patriotic service at the same time. If there is a Carnegie library in your town, there is somebody there who can teach you card cataloguing and filing. If you are fortunate enough to live at the county seat your opportunities for learning clerical work are greatly increased. Typewriting you can teach yourself. Learn the touch system and how to make clean carbons. A textbook comes with every machine, and if you cannot afford a machine, borrow one, or club together with two others and rent one for $3. Many Other Opportunities. indexing and filing are both In demand In all departmental work; though It will not be so easy to find opportunity for learning them la towns under 10,000. But telegraphy can be learned even In the rural districts. A few hours from an obliging local operator, a good text book, and a small Morse outfit which can be set up bo-

tween two farms, will carry you a long way toward proficiency. And the code, and everything you learn about electricity, would be of use to you should an opportunity come your way later to learn wireless telegraphy—a work which is peculiarly adapted to the sensitive woman. The government has already opened the motor transport service to women. If this appeals to you, begin to fit yourself for it now. There are'a great many varieties of motor transport Service, but even if none of the more dramatic opportunities come to you, there is an important service ahead of women in driving tractors. If a woman has any gift for it at all, mechanical draftsmanship is very much worth white. Government, construction plants employ many draftsmen, and you would be surprised to find how much of this you can learn from your local architect or from any manufacturing plant near your town. Long before technical schools were established men learned all they needed to know by apprenticeship, and the plan I propose to you is simply to revert to the earlier, simple method. Apprentice yourself to your chosen trade in the person of the most skilled workman you know. If you do not know how to choose, make a census of the skills of your town. Find out the most valuable skill and save that for your country. One of the terrible things about war is the loss of this accumulated skill. Men spend years in school and years more in practice, and then at their most useful time are cut off. Make it your business to capture and retain some of the things that men have learned. Nobody will refuse to teach you. A man owes his knowledge and skill to his country as much as he owes his life; all the mpre if he loses his life.

Can Learn at Home. Women are the natural conservers of civilization. It is our duty to gather up and hold fast every bit of gain. Women are only just learning what it costs men to be proficient, and even if there Is no definite objective in view, we could not go far wrong In attempting to save something of the proficient man’s purchase. I have spoken of these particular occupations as being directly connected with the government machine, realizing something of the hunger of women to be Identified with It as men are. There Is a sense In which any work which releases a man for the front Is government service; but I have particularly wished to point out how women may fit themselves for national service in their own homes. There are other things than these, new openings every week, things which can be mastered on the farm or in the smallest village.- You do not, for example, have to go out of your own town to learn how to be a postal clerk. There is in every town a good job for somebody in keeping In touch with the needs of the government machine. If you can do nothing else, be the coherer ; find out from your state officials and from Washington all about the qualifications, the dates and places of civil service examinations, the jobs for which no examination but merely a certificate of fitness is required. See to it that your circulating library has such books as are needed by students. If your state has a traveling library, know what helps it can give. There is no real reason why any American should not be able to learn anything he—-or she —puts her mind to. There is another branch of patriotic service which, though it has not been departmentally opened to women here as in England, is open through communities and committees to American women. This is the branch of the commissary. It includes all sorts of knowledge supposed to be native to the genius of women, of food buying and storing and cooking on a large scale. The basis of commissary work is a natural aptitude for it and a knowledge of food values. This you can teach yourself at home, making a laboratory of your kitchen. The rest you can learn through community activities in your town, community storehouses, community kitchens, community canning clubs and buying clubs. Demand Exceeds Supply. The department of agriculture can supply you with information on the conduct of all these enterprises. Already the demand for instructors in these branches exceeds the supply. And if the war should surprise us by the years it holds out, there is nd doubt many of them will be made < part of the government machine, just as they have been abroad. In that case the women who will be chosen are the women who had the initiative to prepare themselves long in advance of the necessity.

Food production is as important as food conservation, but it can be learned only by those who have a certain amount of capital at their disposal, lands or tools, or stock. All the things I have mentioned call for very little more than the personal equipment—lndustry, patience and staying power. And this war is different from other wars for women, simply as it uses more of these qualities than any other. Wives and mothers have never lacked opportunity for war service, but this war calls for qualities in woman which transcend her sex and establish her social value on her power, to do, rather than on her power to give. More' than any war that was ever fought, it is a lone woman’s war. Women have played the part of scabbard for the sword, they have been the belt which binds it to their sons; now comes the day when the woman must be herself the sword. Nobody who knows American women can doubt that the occasion will find them well tempered, swift and keen. _L- -1 '—

THE RENSSELAER DAILY REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

LIEUTENANT BERRY, FORMER CHAMPION, LEADS SOLDIER RELAY TEAM TO VICTORY

Lieut Howard Berry, former champion runner, who led the Camp Dix relay team to victory in the Army-Navy Medley Relay race, at Franklin field, Philadelphia. The Camp Dlx team defeated teams from several cantonments and naval training stations.

PLAYERS ARE NUMBERED.

It Is being reported as a noteworthy matter that baseball players In the big leagues are being numbered this year for convenience In travel. They are no longer permitted to carry trunks with them, but must take along such effects as they desire on the road in suitcases. These suitcases are numbered, not named. There is nothing particularly new about this. Scorers have used the idea for years, as a matter of fact, says Milwaukee Sentinel. That is the only feasible way that scoring can be done. Of course some of these sensitive players may not like the idea of being Identified like criminals, but they have been for a long time, just the same.

MOUNDSMAN VEAN GREGG HAS ROVED ABOUT SOME

Pitcher Vean Gregg, acquired by Connie Mack, is some rover. He was a star for Cleveland, which club obtained him from Portland, of the Pacific Coast league. Later he went to Boston, then to Buffalo and back to Boston. Buffalo claimed him again, but he reverted again to Boston. Now he is a member of the Athletics, having been sent there in the deal that transferred Bush, Schang and Strunk to the Red Sox.

PRANK COSTS CATCHER’S EYE

Services of Red Kuhn Lost to Uncle Sam by Playful Snapping of Ordinary Towel. The playful snapping of a heavy bath towel cost Unde Sam a good soldier and deprived a promising major league catcher from partidpating in any more baseball games. Red Kuhn of the Chicago White Sox was lounging in the barracks at Camp Travis, when the troopers started scuffling. One had a bath towel with a heavy fringe. Red said something and his companion snapped the towel, the fringe striking him in the right eye. The army surgeon found that the fringe had struck the pupil with enough force to destroy the sight permanently. Kuhn was given an honorable discharge from the army. His sight was gone and he was of no use as a fighter. His baseball days are over, but he’s not disheartened. “I’ll come out all right,” he said. His horn** is in California j

DIAMOND NOTES

McKcchnie is developing into quite a slugger. t* * * Like most pitchers, Sothoron is a “hick” with the bat. I ' *- * * The Braves and Athletics are all out of step in the big procession. • • ♦ Marvin Goodwin, former Milwaukee hurler, is now serving with Uncle Sam. • • • Umpire Evans thinks that. Milter Huggins has a star In young Herbert Thormahlen. * • • Seven clubs in the National league are glad that Earl Hamilton is joining the navy. At least some of the baseball players would rather be in the army than in a shipyard. • • •

"Phils to act as shock team” reads a head line. Shocking would have been the better word. * * • Schulte is one of the most graceful fielders in the majors and still seems to pack the batting wallop. • * * Nunamaker Is doing all the catching for the Browns and he has been doing good work with the willow. ♦ ♦ • Fred Merkle’s playing at first base for the Cubs has caused a lot of favorable comment among the fans. * * * Paul Crissman, pitcher of the Northwestern university team, has enlisted at the Great Lakes naval training station. • * * Zack Wheat’s return to the Brooklyn batting order has made a vast difference In the playing and; spirit of the club. FilHngim is a spttbali pitcher and was obtained by Boston from the Indianapolis club of the American association. • ♦ * McGraw has three regulars who are in the .400 class or peer to it. McCarty, Doyle and ail hitting the ball hard. • ♦ • Charley Deal is playing a great game for the Cubs. The third baseman is fielding at a great dip and his batting Is timely. Ty Cobb is usually leading, or close to the leaders, at this time of the year. Sickness has kept him from showing his best. • * • Connie Mack does not expect Rube Schauer to join his dub this year. Rube was a holdout, but latest reports have him in the army. • • • Bradley Hogg, the new pitcher of the Phillies, is keeping up the good record be established in the Pacific Coast league last season. ♦ ♦ ♦ Pittsburgh suffered a blow when Earl Hamilton left the club to join the navy. The southpaw was on the road to a wonderful record when he departed. American Soldiers league in France has 30 ball teams and is divided into five sections of six clubs each. An official schedule has been prepared and the winners in each section will play a series for the pennant • • • Harold Janvrin, Red Sox and world’s series star, is captain of the Camp Devens baseball team, Ayer, Mass. He is training to become an officer and his friends predict that he will grab off a first lieutenancy.

MANAGERS ARE POPULAR.

Max Flack perpetrated an unassisted double play In a recent game, and that Is a most unusual feat for an outfielder. With Herzog on first Kelly filed to the right fielder and Herzog was so certain the ball would fall safely that he started around the bases. He was at second when the catch was made, realized the futility of attempting to return to first and remained at the keystone white Flack ran In and touched the initial sack.

GIANT OUTFIELDERS ARE SHOWING CLASS

McGraw’s Trio Should Make Good Record If Held Together. George Burns, Benny Kauff and Ross Young Have Many Years of Baseball Ahead of Them—Fans Hava Forgotten Robertson. The regular outfield trio of the champion Giants is one of the classiest combinations gotten together in the National league in years. - There are several outfields in the big show which may stack up as more deadly with the bats, but for allaround baseball ability you have' to go a long way to beat George Burnsj Benny Kauff and Ross Yonng. First of all, each of these players has a good many years baseball ahead of him, and if McGraw is lucky he should hold on to his triplets for three or four years at the very least. Burns and Kauff Were seasoned players when the season of, 1918 opened. There was no doubt ‘about their ability. But there was some doubt as to whether Ross Young could successfully fill the shoes left vacant by Davy Roberston. That doubt has been swept aside, for Young has made Polo Grounds fans forget-Davy. Young’s style of handling himself in the field and at the bat Is not unlike that of Burns and he hits hard and timely. He is a good judge of a fly ball and a good base runner, which is all McGraw could ask. In left field George Burns ranks as one of the best players In the National league. There is no better sun fielder than Burns and the fact that New York is the only big-league team he has ever played with proves bis class. He came up once and has been up ever since. Kauff, in center. Is not the prettiest fielder in the business, but he is reasonably sure. Benny traps a ball In a rather awkward-looking way, but he “gets ’em,” and that is what counts. On the bases Benny is the best of the three, and if he realizes his ambition this season October Will find him heading the batsmen of the mother circuit in place of Eddie Rousch, his former teammate in the Federal league.

FUNNIEST PLAY IS RECITED

Miller Huggins Tells of Peculiar Inci-’ dent In Game Between Cardinals and Pirates. Miner Huggins, the little New York pilot, was interviewed the other day and asked to recite the funniest play he had ever seen on a diamond. Here’s the play: “It happened one day in a game between Pittsburgh and the St. Louis Cardinals, when Roger Bresnahan was manager. Mike Mowry was on first when Steve Evans hit a ball to right center. Mike started on the hit and after turning second saw the coaeher at third base waving Mm to go back, as he thought the’ ball would be caught. Mike turned back and was running at full speed with Ms head down when Evans came along toward second base, also with head down. The two heads met and the two players went down and out. The ball was thrown in and both were tagged. They were out then sure.”

HAL CHASE OF THE REDS IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF

Though he is not the oldest first baseman in the national league, both in age and point of service, Hal Chase of the Beds still remains in a class by himself. Hal is 35, and no youngster is in sight who threatens to shear him of his honors.

DADDYS EVENING FAIRY TALE

by MARY GTAHAM BONNER

| THE DUCK POND. “Around a duck pond,” said Daddy, “was a walk made of wood or boards. Around this sometimes the ducks would walk, but more often they would just stand around the pond in a circle. “There were diving boards and little steps by which the ducks could wobble down into the water. “As they were standing around the edge of the pond, most of them standing on one foot, Mrs. Goose and Mr. Gander walked along through the yard, with their heads held very high. “‘Good-day,’ said Mrs. Green. She had been given that name by the other ducks because her head was covered with very lovely dark green feathers. “Mrs. Goose and Mr. Gander walked on, raising their heads still higher, and paying no attention to anyone. “ ‘Aren’t they absurd?” asked Mrs. Green of the other ducks. “ ‘Absolutely absurd,’ said Mrs. Indian Runner. She . was .a duck who

“Aren’t They Absurd?" Asked Mrs. Green.

oared far less for the water than most ducks. “They’re not at all good looking,’ quacked Mrs. Mallard Duck, who cared a great deal about good looks. ‘“They certainly are not,” agreed Mrs. White Pekin Duck. “There were ducks of all colors and kinds around the pond, but all of them quacked, and most of them loved to stand on one leg, with the other up under their feathers, and to gossip and chatter;. “ ‘Geese are so cross,’ said Mrs. Green, as she splashed down into the water and began to swim about. “ They are,’ said Mrs. White Duck, •but I have become so excited talking about them that I have grown ver/ warm. ,1 must have a swim.’ And so site went into the water, too. “Finally most of the ducks were swimming around. Pretty soon the geese came walking back again. Mrs. Goose still had her head just as high in the air and so had Mr. Gander. “ ‘lf I were you, either of you, in fact,’ said Mrs. Indian Runner Duck, *1 wouldn’t hold my head so high. You’ve got entirely too long necks. They’re not a bit beautiful. In fact, they’re rather queer.’ “ ‘Who cares for the opinion of a duck?’ shrieked Mr. Gander, and his shriek was quite the most terrific and strange-sounding shriek Mrs. Indian Runner had heard in a long time. “It quite startled all the ducks. Mrs. Goose stopped, too, and shrieked with her husband. “ ‘Who cares for the opinion of a duck?’ “They were both shrieking now with their high, queer weird voices, and the ducks were becoming used to them. They were always startled by the voices of the geese after they had been silent for a time. ‘“Who cares for the opinion of a duck?’ shrieked Mr. Gander again. “‘I do, for one,’ said Mrs. Indian Runner Duck. “T do, for another,’ said Mrs. Mallard Duck. “‘And I most certainly do, for C third,’ said Mrs. Green. “ ‘Quack, quack, by all means I care for the opinion of a duck,* said Mrs. White Pekin Duck. “ ‘Quack, quack, quack, I care for no other opinion,* said Mrs. White Duck. “•Harken to the duck pond a-talk-ing, and a-quacking,’ said Mr. Gander, as he turned his long neck and looked at Mrs. Goose. “Tt’s quite absurd,’ said Mrs. Goose, ‘quite absurd. We know better than to pay any attention to what they say.’ . r “ ‘Can’t you be more sociable?’ asked Mrs. Green, who wanted to be friendly with all her neighbors. “ Tt’s quite impossible for us to have anything to do with ducks. We’ll not fight with you, but we can’t associate With you. We don’t like any creatures but ourselves, and how could we? We’re so used to crossness that we love it, and other creatures don’t’ ‘“Can’t you become used to being pleasant?’ asked Mrs. Green. “‘We don’t care to be pleasant* shrieked Mr. Gander. ‘“We’d hate to be pleasant’ added Mrs. Goose. “ ‘Well, now I see why they’re called geese,* said Mrs. Green, as they walked off once more, wabbling still, though their heads were held so high. Ifs because they haven’t the sense to ' try to be pleasant!’ **

Lines to Be Remembered.

Do good with what thou hast, or ft win do thee no good.—'wfihaia Penn.