Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 219, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1918 — Universal Training for Men and Women [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Universal Training for Men and Women

ARLY this yekr a few Chi- ' “ cago women, following suggestions made by Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen, the chairman of the' woman’s com- < mittee of the Illinois division .of the national council of defense, began a study of future progress in the United States, and what ac-, tion, if any, should be desirable as the result of changing conditions arising world war. It was Mrs. Bowen’s opinion that thought should first be directed to overcoming striking weaknesses In our social fabric; such as the Americanization problem, the Increase of juvenile crime, the disregard of the laws of nature and hygiene and the lack of understanding between different groups of people. From this beginning developed a resolution, passed by the Chicago Woman’s club, providing for federal training of the most comprehensive character for all future young citizens before permitting them to vote. At the biennial convention of the General Federation of Women’s clubs at Hot Springs, Ark„ in May, the Chicago Woman's club secured unanimous Indorsement of the movement. -This took the fopm of a petition to the government for universal training of women aS well as* of men.

It was the formal expression of over two million American women, organized in about 10,000 clubs for personal and community Improvement throughout the United States. In a matter of such general importance it seemed desirable to know the opinion of all other women as reflected through the national leaders of organizations of varied activities. Representatives of fifty such organizations in Illinois formed a committee to invite expressions from women of national prominence. Find Women Approve Idea. Leaders of the movement declare that from the replies it is > evident no question ever brought before the American people has had the immediate and general support of thinking women of such wiye diversity of interest. “The broad purpose of the movement.’Ksald Mrs. Edwin T. Johnson, president of the Chicago Woman's club, “is to make plans for the welfare of humanity and for our children who survive the war. It is evident action of the most fundamental character is demanded to reach all young people who will share in the work of reconstruction and the making of government policies after the war. “Anyone who has seen the wonderful physical change wrought in the youth of our country by even a brief period in the camps and cantonments cannot but cpvet the same benefit for every youth in our land. Nor ig.lt. a physical gain only; a subtle change <n attitude toward other social groups than his own, brought about by the democracy of the camps, a wholesome regard for health, both mental and physical, a respect for authority, a habit of obedience, a new vision of his responsibilities as a citizen, in short, a wholly new and fine attitude toward life—this is the gift that his country, through the service it asks of him, has given him in return.

“The government will ask both our boys and our girls to perform their duties as citizens. Is it not therefore, reasonable and just that the government should take steps to afford them such training as will made this service worth while? Such courses in training for citizenship as a preparation, not for war, please God—although we have learned from the experience through which we are now passing that preparedness in a great nation is an obligation a country owes to its citizens —but for peace and its duties. Let us as a country give our young people every opportunity, such as the

plan for federal training provides, and we shall not be leaving them at the mercjr of demagogues within or foes without.” Mrs. Juliette Low, national president of the girl scouts, says: ‘The greatest need of our nation today is definite training which will draw us together and give us common ideals of citizenship. The training proposed supplements the scouting program and adds the final touch which is required to make our boys and girls into good citizens.” Decision Most Vital. The statement of the committee of fifty women’s organizations referred to says, in part: “The stability and progress of the nation and even the preservation of our civilization are Involved in the decisions of the present period and all should share the obligation to aid the government in reaching sound conclusions based upon experience and to demand action of the most fundamental character. “Short courses of intensive federal training for all young people before they vote appear to offer the only solution. It is our conviction that such courses, covering at least six months* life in the open at government expense, under military discipline, accentuating physical, economic and civic training, in accord with plans to be approved by the nation’s ablest leaders, would qualify our young people efficiently to discharge their family and citizenship obligations and prove of inestimable value to the nation. ‘The beneficial results of training in the cantonments demonstrate what can be done under a broader educational plan, when young people of all nationalities, from all parts of the country and -all classes, widen their horizon through intensive training in the essentials of life and government upon equal terms. “In addition to making strong, alert, - clean-cut, thinking Americans, the training will create a sense of individual responsibility, strengthen character and promote a higher regard for each other, for their country and the co-operation necessary for the welfare of all.

Red-Blooded Missionaries. “Preparation for the training cannot wait until after the war, as the responsibility for wise government will more than ever fall upon the new voters from all environments during the reconstruction period and they should be the wholesome, red-blooded missionaries to carry the message of orderly progress and co-operation into every neighborhood in the land. There is a deep conviction that the. benefits of the proposed training will reach the heart of every home, lend constant inspiration to our national life and mean much to posterity. “This is the most important movement before ths American people to-

day and, in addition, this peace-lovinff nation must never again bear the great penalty of being wholly unprepared to meet an unexpected violation of Its liberty. Young men and women trained to promote their own welfare and that of their communities and the nation should also be qualified to respond promptly to the call of their country in its hour of need.” Mrs. Philip North Moore of St. Louis, president National Council of Women U. S. A., which includes leading great organizations of women, says: “The war has caused us to take stock of ourselves and has thus revealed our deficiencies. Constructive thought and determination to urge fundamental changes supremely vital to our welfare should supersede formes assurance and self-confidence, ‘The physical survey and the wonderful regenerating capacity of the training camps have suggested a rapid, comprehensive and democratic method as a model upon which to prepare a plan for short courses of federal training for all young people. “The highest aims for America can be realized if the nation’s leaders prepare adequate selective courses of study, development, discipline and service, and the federal government furnishes such courses to all. “I heartily Indorse the plan.” The committee has received expressions of -approval from prominent women in all parts of the country. These Include suffrage leaders, business women, officers of fraternal and patriotic societies, writers and professional women. Leading Women Express Views. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the National American Woman Suffrage association, wrote: “I am very glad to be one of the founders of the movement for federal training and agree with all iM>into made by the committee. “Like a searchlight the war haa pointed out all our weak spots. We are a brave people and strong. There is nothing which we will regard as impossible to do. While it is a tragic price to pay, the war will leave us better informed and more alive to the needs of our country than before.” Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw, acting chairman of the New York State Women’s Suffrage party, expressed her views in the following statement: ‘To inform our electorate and opr prospective electorate; to give them the tools of citizenship ; to equip them to use these tools to the full efficiency of citizenship in a Herculean task, but a completely possible one. “Let the great plan of federal training once be made operative and I believe a great army of citizen workers, i men and women, will rise to co-oper-ate.” Mrs. Frederick Schoff, president National Congress of Mothers’ and Par-ent-Teachers’ association and director home education division United States bureau of education, Washington, said: “Education for citizenship is of vital importance if the ideals of the founders of our country are to be maintained. With hearty approval I pledge cooperation 4n the idea and suggest that a committee be formed to consider what definite measures will be mom practical-and effective for realization of the desired purpose.”

Mrs. Philip North Moore, St. Louis, president National Council of Women.