Mrs. Philip North Moore, President of the National Council of Women of the United States of America, called the Biennial meeting to order at nine-thirty, in the Auditorium of the Young Women's Christian Association, with a large number of officers and delegates present.

Mrs. Mary M. North was appointed secretary in the absence of Mrs. Keefe.

Dr. Anna Howard Shaw gave the invocation, after which Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, of Washington, gave the Council a warm welcome to the National Capital.

In her address she contrasted the Washington which she knew as a child, with the magnificent city of today, and said her greeting was as hearty as the city is beautiful. At this time Mrs. Moore introduced the guest of honor, Lady Aberdeen,—president of the International Council of Women—to the convention, saying that there was no need of a formal introduction, as Lady Aberdeen was well known to all, and was very welcome to the convention.

The members of the convention showed their appreciation by rising.

The honored guest thanked the convention, and told them that she was very happy in having the privilege of being again their guest. She spoke of the great suffering 02014among the foreign sisters, who are members of the Council in warring countries.

Her address was full of pathos, as she spoke of those across the water, and before closing she paid a high tribute to this Council for its work in organizing the International Council and for what it has accomplished in bringing together the great forces of this country.

Mrs. Moore responded in her happy way, and sent messages of kindly feeling to all the bodies of the International Council of Women.

The following greeting was read:

GREETINGS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

Toronto, Ont., Dec. 10, 1917

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, Pres., National Council of Women of the United States, Washington, D. C.

Greatly regret that storm has prevented my being with you during your Biennial meeting. National Council of Women of Canada extend most cordial greetings to her sister Council of the United States. May the sympathy and co-operation which now binds us in time of war continue to bind when the day of victorious peace shall be proclaimed and may we together endeavor to solve the great problems of reconstruction. Sincerest wishes for a successful meeting.

R. R. TORRINGTON, President, National Council of Women of Canada.

Wesanford, Hamilton, Dec. 29, 1917.

Dear Mrs. Moore:

Your welcome letter came duly. It was a real regret to me to have to be absent from your meeting at Washington. I sent a greeting which enclosed telegrams will explain, and also the reason of it not having reached you.

The kind expressions in your letter have touched me deeply, thank you dear Mrs. Moore sincerely. The reading in my “Daily Light” for this morning, Dec. 29th, is partly, as follows:

“The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory—give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

This is my earnest prayer for myself, and may also say for you.

Wishing you a truly happy New Year, believe me, Ever yours sincerely, SOPHIE SANFORD.

Mrs. Mumford was called to the chair while the president read her splendid report for the past two years, as follows:

REPORT OF PRESIDENT Mrs. Philip North Moore

National Council of Women of the United States:

It is my great pleasure to address you personally, face to face, after these months of correspondence and the many misunderstandings that arise from the written word. Under the loyal and devoted leadership of my predecessor in office, leadership accepted under very difficult circumstances, the National Council took great strides forward.

As a member of a Committee from one of the large national organizations, fully in sympathy with Mrs. Barrett in her desire to have comprised in this Council not only the members at that time, but also all non-affiliated organizations, we worked together for two years on a basis of approach.

We appreciated the strength of historical precedence and the relations with the International Council. It was, therefore, our great desire to bring to this Council, the order sister of the International group, the power of organized womanhood rather than have separate organizations attempt an affiliation outside the national group—an affiliation by the way that could not be accepted.

As President of the General Federation for four years, and Chairman of Foreign Correspondence for fifteen, I realized keenly the fact of our isolation from other countries, even with many honorary members in correspondence, who told me so freely of their interests in the Councils of their nations.

It was then that I became filled with the idea of larger national co-operation with the women of the world. And it was at this psychological moment that Mrs. Barrett, that broad-vision woman, and I came in contact.

Membership

The result you all know. To the thirteen members then in the Council there were added at the Biennial meeting in January, 1916, ten national organizations. If you will turn to the last page of the program you will note that the General Federation came into membership at its Biennial meeting in June,—two others in October, and two the following spring—making at the present time twenty-eight national organizations with a very conservatively estimated membership of seven million women. What is the result!

Policy

The policy as estimated in the Constitution of 1888, following the same policy accepted by the International Council at that time, has never been changed. This means no interference with the individual 02216work of an organization, no propaganda of one organization superimposed (I might say) upon another, where such propaganda would be hostile; in fact it has been very difficult to plan harmonious lines of action, which should be national in character.

Preparedness

By resolution passed at the last Biennial meeting we voted to bend our efforts toward adequate preparedness. To this extent I represented the Council at the National Mayors’ Conference on Preparedness, and at the large mass meeting in St. Louis, when Ex-President Taft was the principal speaker. Many of the organizations in the Council offered similar assistance toward National needs.

Employment Services

By resolution also we pledgee our united service to the Immigration and Employment Bureau of the Department of Labor in its efforts to aid women and girls of this country.

By this action we did not limit our investigations to immigrants but to every resident of the United States.

The call to respond met with quick approval, and a work of nation wide importance was inaugurated, finding opportunities for work, fitting the work to the woman and urging such guidance and training as might be necessary to fit the woman for the work.

Twenty organizations pledged their support to the plan, the system providing for co-operation with state and city employment bureaus, also with private organizations that are sympathetic with the plans of the department.

When the report of the extensions of the service went to President Wilson, he sent a letter to the Secretary of Labor, congratulating him not only upon the work accomplished, but also upon having won the co-operation of the organizations mentioned.

Officially I expressed appreciation of the privilege of adding our endorsement to this work of the department and our belief that we might thereby aid in breaking down the barriers between employer and employees.

When the working plans were well developed, but not fully operative, the appropriations gave out—Congress did not pass the necessary appropriation until its extra session. Since that time war conditions have made such a drain upon both their workers and appropriation that only thing to be seen is war demands.

I wish to state, however, to the organizations interested, that recent plans made at a conference of Commissioner Caminetti and myself in St. Louis, will we hope soon be carried out, and will need the active assistance of former workers. They are largely emergency plans of immediate need.

Registration

In view of the demand upon the women of the country to prepare in time of peace for any need that might arise, the Executive Committee was called in New York, February 21st, 1917.

At that time it was decided to open headquarters in Washington and from that point to register the women of the country according to the service they might render to the government in time of need, in the most effective and expeditious manner. When the ground was being looked over, the Washington branch of the Woman's Department of the Civic Federation most loyally loaned its office and equipment, including stenographer, for three months.

Notice was then sent to all our members that the desire was to establish a clearing house for the use of the government. Consultation with various officials showed the need of some central body, coordinating the resources, with which the Council of National Defense could confer and to which it might turn for absolute knowledge.

Matters developed so rapidly, responses from our organizations came in so loyally, that an emergency call was made to send to a meeting of the National Council in Washington, April 3rd, a member of each organization, preferably the president, with the authority of the body to call upon the membership for registration of resources and to offer to the government the service of the National Council, with loyal and enthusiastic belief in the effective resources of the women of America—to appoint a representative whose judgement could be trusted for emergency decisions.

April 2nd, the President of the United States appeared before Congress with his belief in the necessity for the declaration of war, a most dramatic and inspiring occasion. This made the meeting of April 3rd more imperative and opportune.

A very large representation decided unanimously that the President and a small executive committee should consider at once a registration blank, have it printed and sent out according to the membership of the organizations, which would pay for the same as soon as the blanks were received.

The President was also authorized to offer the services of the Council to the heads of the government service and replies were received from President Wilson, the Attorney General, all individual members of the Council of National Defense and the Chairman of the Advisory Commission, letters so full of appreciation that they should be kept in the archives.

These plans for the co-ordination of woman's work into effective war service were sent through the associated press all over the country. The committee decided upon the form of the Registration Blank, 02418ordered such number printed as would make possible a minimum price per thousand.

With all this preparation, several large organizations in the Council, and others offered at the same or later dates their services to the government until the confusion as to what to do with the woman power resulted in the appointment, April 25th, by the Council of National Defense, of a Woman's Committee to consider the Women's Defense work of the nation.

Upon this committee were placed the presidents or organizations having offered their service, and several individuals of known ability.

At the first meeting of this committee it was decided to ask the suspension of all registration by organizations, in view of the decision to have a federal registration of every woman in the country.

Registration already taken were ordered received and tabulated.

Naturally the Board of the National Council was loyal to such request; it voted to suspend registration and ask from its membership the amount already expended.

This is a matter of history that should go into our record.

One unfortunate item in our plan of organization is that correspondence from the President and the Board goes only to the President of a national organization which in its turn has state and local units; without great expenditure no message from the National Council can reach more than fifty individuals.

For a knowledge of its work and the life of the organization, some plan must be devised for sending news letters to every unit.

Everywoman

At the last Biennial meeting the magazine, Everywoman, was made the official organ of the National Council, and our Board decided to place the efficient tool in the hands of the presidents of the organizations in membership. This magazine has given us most excellent service, in printing the messages of the president, the International president, and the plans of the Committee Chairmen.

The fact that is has not reached the rank and file is not the fault of the Magazine management.

Revision Budget

In connection with the revision to be acted upon later, it becomes my duty to present to you certain essential items of expense.

The chairmen of committees have carried their work without a cent of expense for stenographer's service or postage. The clerical expenses and printing from the office of the president and secretaries have been decidedly inadequate. The result was that the president, 02519who had a stenographer, has been able to do most of the work at very slight extra expense.

My hand is raised in salute to the loyalty of these chairmen, my judgment accepts their intelligent work, and my heart thanks them for the hours of unselfish labor.

A budget should be made, according to our income naturally, that would give each department a certain amount for legitimate expenses. The revision does not in any way change the policy of the Council, but plans its work in a little different form,—with a slightly increased revenue.

International Council

The International Council is striking its roots deeper in the countries, where it has had time to prove its value.

Through this organization unceasing efforts are being made in every direction of social reform.

Living work in a good cause—with faith and love and patience—must be fruitful.

Lady Aberdeen, president, informs us of the applications for affiliation from the Russian National Council and the National Council of Women of Uruguay. I have had the pleasure of correspondence with the Council of Uruguay and Argentina.

An invitation to attend this meeting has been sent to every National Council of Women. In three cases letters have been returned with the words “Mail service suspended to country addressed.” I am hopeful we shall have some messages to print in our report of proceedings.

We are looking forward to a wonderful opportunity after the war, a period of reconstruction, when it will be possible for the United States Council, as the oldest member of the International, to offer its services and in fact take the lead in bringing peace and sisterly understanding, with material relief, to these sorrowing women of other nations.

Personal

As your president I have been called upon to represent you many times. The National Council is a recognized factor in all educational and patriotic service, and the honor paid the president has always been recognized as one given to a splendid, effective organization.

My work to organize into one harmonious whole such diverse units seemed to be approaching success until the “Clearing House” problem was absorbed by the federal government and became no longer ours.

This is the only vital point of dissension and, however often explained, has seemed to some few of our members unsatisfactory. The 02620intercourse with our organizations has been inspiring, and I shall never cease to thank fortune for having given me such friends as Lady Aberdeen and Mrs. Sanford, as well as our own national presidents.

While the exigencies of war have prevented the fulfillment of many plans, which I believed would bring the National Council to the knowledge of all the people, as a power for united womanhood, yet let us be thankful that we are a part of the woman power of the nation— My faith is with you— My blessing goes with you.

ecommendations of the President

A rising vote of appreciation was given Mrs. Moore for her excellent and comprehensive report.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT SINCE BIENNIAL REPORT, WASHINGTON, DECEMBER, 1917

KATE WALLER BARRETT.

KATE WALLER BARRETT, Treasurer.

Audited and found correct Dec. 10, 1917.

EMMA E. BOWER, M. D., Auditor.

Mrs. Moore read the following letter from President Wilson:

“My Dear Mrs. Moore:

It is extremely hard to say No to the very attractive invitation conveyed by your letter of October the ninth, but I have been obliged to decline all such invitations because I feel that it is my first and imperative duty to do the day's work and that it is not conscientious on my part to turn away to other matters to which I would have, in justice to those I was serving, to devote more than casual attention.

I am sure you will understand and that your judgment will justify me in this course, much as I should prefer another.

Cordially and sincerely yours,” Signed by the President, WOODROW WILSON.

LETTERS FROM FOREIGN COUNCILS

Montévidé le 19 November 1917.

A Madame la Présidente du Conseil National de Femmes des Etasts Unis d'Amerique.

Madame:—

J'ai l'honneur de porter a votre connaissance la foundation, ici, a Montévidéo, du Conseil National de Femmes de l'Uruguay, dont j’ ai le plaisir de vous remettre les Statuts. Ce Conseil a recu l'adhesion des associations les plus importantes du pays, et doit sa foundation a l'initiative de la Présidente soussignée a indication de Mme Avril de Sainte-Croix et de Mme. Siegfried qui ont eu l'amabilité dé etre les Marraines de ce Conseil.

Par leur intermediaire nous avons solicité l'affiliation au Conseil Internationl, mission dont fut chargée Madame Thérese Santos de Bosch, nommée a cet effet notre Déléguée en Europe, et nous avons eu la satisfaction de recevoir une communication de Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, Présidente du Conseil International, nous annoncant que notre Conseil avait été incorporé au dit Conseil International.

J'ai également l'honneur, Madame, de vous remettre en meme temps une copie de cette communication et le dernier exemplaire de notre Revue, contenant la Memoire de l'année 1916-1917.

Veuillez accepter, Madame la Présidente mes voeux les plus sinceres pour la réalisation entiere de notre idéal et pour que le triomphe couronne le labeur noble et fécond qu'entreprend le Counseil que vous présidez.

Daignez agréer, Madame la Présidente le témoignage de toute ma consideration.

Présidente DOCTORA PAULINA LUISE.

Secrétaire, DR. FRANCISCA BENTERVIDE.

National Council of Women, Tasmania

Elboden Place, Hobart, December 20, 1917.

To Mrs. Philip North Moore, President, National Council of Women of U. S. A.

Dear Mrs. Moore:

Thank you for your letter of November 5th and the kind invitation to be present at the biennial meeting of your Council in December 031258-12. Nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have been with you, but two very powerful factors prevented it, one, the fact that I only received your letter the last day of your meeting, viz: Dec. 12, and the other, the great difficulty and risk in undertaking a sea voyage in these sad times. I should also like to have been present to express the joy of our Australian Councils that a fresh bond now exists between you and us, and that we fight together in the cause of right and humanity; at the same time I am sure we are all united in lamenting that a great bar is fixed between us and so many of our beloved friends in enemy countries, especially it is sad to feel the separation from our dear Frau Hainisch, loved and respected in every Council.

Will you give my heartiest greetings to your Council and wishes for a happy New Year to every member.

Yours very sincerely, (Mrs. Henry) EMILY DOBSON, 3rd Vice-President, International Council of Women, Australian and Tasmanian President.

Paris, le December 4, 1917.

Dear Madam President:

I have your letter of November 5th and I am glad to have this opportunity of letting you know how pleased I was to hear of your nomination as a president to the National Council of Women of the United States of America. I hope our collaboration will be active and useful. The interest with which the presidents of National Councils follow the work of the different commissions greatly help their president in their work. And so, I reckon on you, dear Madame, to help me in the great work which awaits us as soon as we shall be able to begin again our common international action, in that which concerns equal moral standard and traffic in women.

I am very sorry the actual circumstances prevented me from taking part in your Congress in which I am very much interested and where I would have liked to tell American women the great and fraternal admiration we have for them.

Believe me, dear Madam, Yours very sincerely, MME, AVRIL DE STE. CROIX.

Danske Kvinders Nationalraad

Copenhagen, January 20, 1918.

Dear Madame President:

I have only today received your letter of November 5th with your kind invitation to come, or send a message to your annual meeting.

It is, of course, now too late to do so, but I hope you had a successful 03226meeting, and I wish your Biennial every success in any good work it is doing.

How we long for the time to come back when our International Council can meet again, and peace be restored to the poor world!

Yours sincerely, HENNI FORCHHAMMER.

The National Council of Women of New South Wales

Sydney, April 3, 1918.

My Dear Mrs. Moore:

Thank you much for your kind letter. We were in recess when it arrived, so I waited until we met again, to send to you, Madame President, our most cordial greetings. I am the International Secretary for our state. Presidents change often here. We have not a governor's wife now, except Lady McMillan.

Yes, these are sad times.

Thank you for asking us to be present at your conference, but we did not get the letter in time there are such delays; and few can travel about now. I hope with you that this cruel will soon be over, and our Councils may resume their work and their friendships. I hope you will get this, our greetings,—but one never knows.

Thanking you again for writing, with cordial good wishes and greetings, Sincerely yours, ROSE SCOTT, International Secretary.

Wyndham, Parktown, Johannesburg, So. Africa, April 1, 1918.

Mrs. Philip North Moore, President, National Council of Women, U.S.A., St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Madame President:

Your kind letter of November 5th did not reach here till January and was forwarded to me by Lady Rose Innes, as I am now President of the N. C. W. of South Africa. It would have been a great pleasure and interest to have been present at your Biennial meeting in Washington, but it was, of course, impossible. We must look forward to a great reunion in some more peaceful times which it is to be hoped are not so very far distant.

The National Council of Women of South Africa is having a Congress in Johannesburg the end of May next, when the Draft Constitution will be read and confirmed. Hitherto the various local Councils through the Union have acted separately, and though a Draft Constitution was drawn up some few years ago, owing to the war and other circumstances, it has never yet been possible to hold a Congress 03327and pass the Constitution which enables the N. C. W. to work as a whole.

I am afraid this may reach you too late for you to answer in time for the Congress, but I need not say how much we should appreciate a few words from you, even if they come too late for the Congress.

The war is drawing very close the old links of kinship between the British and American nations, and I believe with you that we shall come out of it better friends and neighbors than we were before—all nations.

With my best wishes for a happy ending to the war before very long, I am, Yours sincerely, MAUD WYNDHAM, President, N. C. W., So. Africa.

Vienna, June 18, 1917.

Lady Aberdeen, President, International Council of Women.

Dear Madame President:

The National Council of Women of Austria remembers the Sister Councils in sorrow and faithfulness. I personally remember very thankfully all the friendliness and sympathy which I experienced in Rome. To me the Presidents and members of the Councils of the warring states are not far removed, because I am thoroughly convinced that they, as well as I, with deepest sorrow look to the endless north, which can lead to no other end than the depopulation of Europe and the loss of the best man power of all at war. I do not doubt that the mothers, sweethearts and wives of all states who have the misfortune to be involved in this war are in deepest sorrow and worry over their deer ones; that they too are sorrowful witnesses of the ceaseless dying and maiming.

It therefore appears to me as my duty, that the women do all in their power to end the needless slaughter. The women are powerless, but not without influence over their brothers, husbands, and sons. Therefore, I venture to appeal to them. What I would ask, dear lady, is that you see to it that the Councils of all warring nations receive my request: That the women of the whole world, in their own country, inaugurate a peace petition.

You would confer a great favor if you could bring to the notice of all sister Councils this request of the Austrian Council of Women, as I am unable to reach them. For each effort which I am causing you, I will express in advance my warmest thanks. I venture to ask this of you, because I know that you too would be happy if the women could help to end this awful affliction which mankind is now bearing. Receive an expression of my warmest sympathy and esteem.

MARIANNE HAINISCH.

Nationals Vrouwenraad Van Nederland

Amsterdam Lomanstraat 4. 17 January, 1918.

Dear Madam, President:

Your kind and sympathetic letter, dated Nov. 5, 1917, was received by Mrs. H. van Biema-Hymans in the beginning of January, 1918, and was by her forwarded to me, her successor in the Presidency of the National Council of the Netherlands. I greatly regret, that this delay, occasioned by all the sad difficulties of communication in these sorrowful times should have made it impossible to comply with your wishes and to send you in fit time a message of sisterly greeting to be printed in your report. It is hardly possible to calculate when this letter of mine will come to your hands. Still I am glad of having the opportunity of assuring you of the heartfelt wishes of the women of the Netherlands that this time of war and trouble may come to a good and speedy end, and that in coming years we may again benefit by the blessings of peace and good-will among men.

I am, Madame, sincerely yours, JOHANNA W.A. NABER, President of the National Council of the Netherlands.

Bund Schweizerischer Frauenvereine Alliance Nationale de Societiés Féminines Suisses

To Mrs. Philip North Moore, President N.C.W. of United States, St. Louis.

Dear Madam:

Our Council, meeting some weeks ago, entrusted its Presidents with the forwarding of a most cordial message of sympathy and admiration to our sister Councils in warfaring countries as well as neutral countries which are so near to our hearts in these times of trouble and sacrifice.

We do not forget you and look forward with longing to the time when we shall meet again and set to work again for the good of humanity.

We are following with the warmest appreciation the splendid work of your Council to help in time of trouble and relieve pain and distress. Your country may be proud of its women and will certainly acknowledge what it owes them.

Will you be so kind, dear Madam, and transmit to your Council and to our dear friends in your Council, Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Mrs. Catt, Mrs. Sewall, our message of friendship and heartfelt sympathy.

P. CHAPONNIERE CHAISE, President N.C.W. of Switzerland.

Geneva Chemice Duval 16, Nov. 13, 1917.

The following letters were read by the Secretary:

THE WHITE HOUSE Washington

5 December, 1917.

My Dear Mrs. Moore:

I learn with the greatest interest through your letter of November twenty-eight of the approaching meeting of the National Council of Women of the United States, and I wish with all my heart that I could look forward to the pleasure of being present at some one of the meetings of the Council, but the fact is that I am so driven from day to day that aside from my public duties the most that I can do is to seek occasional relaxation.

I am sure that those associated with you will understand that if I am not present at any one of the meetings, it will not be through any lack of sincere interest, but merely under a sort of physical necessity.

Cordially and sincerely yours, WOODROW WILSON.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, 3125 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri.

AMBASSADE DE LA REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE aux Etats-Unis

Washington, le November 17, 1917.

Madame President:

I find, to my regret, that, owing to my engagements, it will not be possible for me to avail myself of your invitation to address the National Council of Women of the United States at the time of their forthcoming meeting.

Allow me to offer to you and to them my very sincere thanks for the honor of this invitation.

I have taken the liberty of mentioning your desire of hearing a spokesman of France on that occasion to Mr. de Billy, High Commissioner ad interim, who speaks English and who is quite willing, if agreeable to you, to replace me.

I shall, therefore, if you so desire, ask him to be present at your meeting on the date you name.

Believe me, with all good wishes for the National Council and with gratitude for the sentiments you kindly express towards France. Respectfully yours, JUSSERAND.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, President, National Council of Women, 3125 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, Mo.

REGIA AMBASCIATA D'ITALIA

Washington, December 1st, 1917.

Madame President:

I beg to thank through you the National Council of Women of the United States for the kind invitation extended to me to attend the sessions of its Biennial meeting, to be held in this city December 10th to 12th.

While assuring you that, if my official occupations will permit it, I will take pleasure in attending one of these sessions, I am, Madam, with best regards, Very truly yours, MACCHI DI CELLERE, Italian Ambassador.

Mrs. Philip North Moore, President, National Council of Women, Hotel Grafton, Washington.

REGIA AMBASCIATA D'ITALIA

December 4, 1917.

Dear Madame President:

I am very sorry that pressing official business prevents my coming to Washington to address the National Council of Women on December 9th next. I wish, however, to send you and the ladies of the Council my best regards and the assurance that I consider the co-operation of American women a powerful factor towards the triumph of the ideals which this country, in union with all the Allies, is pursuing.

With my thanks for your invitation and my best wishes for a successful meeting, I beg to remain, Very sincerely yours, MACCHI DI CELLERE, Italian Ambassador.

Mrs. Philip North Moore, 3125 Lafayette Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri.

LETTERS FROM FOREIGN EMBASSIES RUSSIAN EMBASSY

Washington, November 17, 1917.

Dear Madam President:

The Ambassador has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of November 6th and to convey his regrets that pressing official duties will prevent him from accepting your very kind invitation to personally address the National Council of Women at its biennial meeting on December 11th.

If acceptable, however, he would be very pleased to procure 03731from amongst Russian Officials in America, a speaker thoroughly informed on Russian Affairs to represent the Embassy here.

Cordially yours, M. M. KARPOVICH, Secretary to the Ambassador.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, 3125 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

RUSSIAN EMBASSY

Washington, November 28th, 1917.

Dear Madam President:

Acknowledging your valued communication of November 20th, the Ambassador directs me to convey to you his regrets that owing to the present political unrest in Russia, he considers it somewhat untimely to appoint an official to represent Russian Affairs on the occasion of your meeting on December 11th.

Permit me to transmit to you the Ambassador's deep appreciation of your interest in the Russian situation.

Cordially yours, M. M. KARPOVICH, Secretary to the Ambassador.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, President, National Council of Women, 3125 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

EMBAJADOR ARGENTINO

Washington, D. C., December 3, 1917.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, President, National Council of Women, Hotel Grafton, Washington.

My Dear Madame:

I thank the National Council of Women for its courteous invitation of November the twenty-eighth.

Should the press of my duties permit, I shall have pleasure in attending some of the sessions of your Biennial Meeting which you are kind enough to describe. Faithfully yours, R. S. NAON.

JOHN BARRETT, Director General.

FRANCISCO J. YANES, Assistant Director.

PAN AMERICAN UNION Union of American Republics

Washington, D. C., Dec. 3, 1917.

Dear Mrs. Moore:

I thank you for your note of November 28, inviting me to the 03832sessions of the National Council of Women of the United States. I shall be only too glad to be present at as many of these as I find it possible in these busy days.

I telegraphed you that I would be pleased to say a word at your luncheon on December 11.

If I can be of any further service to your great organization and yourself, please let me know.

With kind regards, I remain, Yours very sincerely, JOHN BARRETT.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, President, National Council of Women, Hotel Grafton, Washington, D. C.

Miss Lucy A. Soulby, of England, representing the Crittenton work in that country, was introduced by Mrs. Barrett and addressed the Council.

Following this Mrs. Moore appointed Mrs. Frances Burns chairman of the resolutions committee, and asked the Council to see that all resolutions were put in her hands as early as possible.

Mrs. North was appointed chairman of the nominating committee with a representative from each affiliated organization as member of the committee.

A delightful program had been arranged for, a round table during luncheon, and the first hour after luncheon each day.

When the hour had arrived for Mrs. Barrett to speak upon Immigration, she spoke a few minutes and then called upon Mrs. Nathaniel E. Harris to give the account of the work being done by the Council of Jewish women to citizenize the foreigners who arrive at Ellis Island, even now. Her Council has representatives at every port in Europe and America and these follow women from the time they leave the other side until they arrived here and are cared for. In one year three thousand six hundred and twenty-five girls, or unattached women were received and cared for, with the exception of fourteen who were lost trace of.

The next speaker was Mrs. P. P. Claxton who told of 03933the care which is being taken by the Bureau of education in Americanizing foreigners. She said she spoke unofficially, but she had an array of facts and figures which were very enlightening to her attentive listeners. The there were 7,000,000 illiterates in America, and it was plain that an illiterate could not be a good citizen.

Mrs. Schoff spoke for the Council of Mothers, and told what they were doing for the Foreign mothers.

Mrs. Louis Post's theme was labor, with efficiency as the key-note. She laid emphasis upon the proper distribution of labor.

Mrs. Thacher told of the work being done by the W. C. T. U. for the soldiers.

Mrs. Parks was asked to tell of the work being done by the W. C. T. U. at Ellis Island.

Mrs. Barrett closed the symposium by publicly acknowledging the honor paid women, when a woman was put upon the Immigration committee, and sent abroad to study conditions. Mrs. Barrett was the woman appointed, when Mr. Bryan was Secretary of State. She made an inspiring address concerning immigration after the war.

Mr. Herbert Hoover arriving at this time was enthusiastically greeted by the Council, and made an excellent address.

The luncheon was served in the cafe of the Y. W. C. A., with Mrs. John Hays Hammond in charge of the round table, with Arthur E. Bestor, Miss Julia C. Lathrop, Raymond B. Fostdick and Mrs. Wm. Adams Brown as speakers.

After luncheon Mrs. Mumford presided over the convention while reports of chairmen of departments were given.

Mrs. Bryan had no written report, but gave a resume of work done by her committee during the year. She recommended that matter be not given to one publication that was intended for a syndicate, before being sent to be 04034syndicated. Mrs. North, the Eastern member, reported having sent articles to publicity committees abroad, having stories in “Every Woman,” “The Philadelphia Record,” “The Washington Star,” “The Baltimore American,” and other eastern papers regularly, and having made arrangements with the local papers for publicity of this meeting.

Federal Cooperation was the next theme, with Mrs. P. P. Claxton as the chairman. The thread upon which many helpful thoughts were strung was, Education of the people, not a part of them, but all people. She told what the Federal Bureaus are doing as their part in this national crisis.

Next Mrs. Trueman Newberry, President of the Needle Work Guild of America, was presented, and briefly outlined the war-work of the Guild. It has 450 branches with the motto “Service for others.”

Mrs. Schoff of the National Congress of Mothers, told of their war-work. Dr. Bower spoke for the Ladies of The Maccabees; Mrs. North for the Woman's National Rivers and Harbors Congress; Mrs Barrett for the Critenton Mission; Mrs. Fox for the Young Woman's Mutual Improvement Society, and Dr. Bower for the Michigan Woman's Press Association.

Mrs. Myra Kingman Miller, chairman for the evening program in the New National Museum, announced the subject as Patriotic Education, with music furnished by the chairman of Community Music, Mrs Campbell, the Friday Morning Music Club of Washington with Miss Katherine Heyman of New York as piano soloist.

TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 11, 1917

The National Council of Women met in second session of the Biennial in the Auditorium of the Y. W. C. A., Washington, D.C., and was called to order by the President, Mrs. Philip North Moore, at 9:30.

Mrs. North read the minutes of the first day's session which were approved.

Mrs. R. B. Morgan, chairman of the Credentials Committee, read her report, which showed that all affiliated organizations, except two were represented, and seventy-five delegates present. The report was accepted.

The revision of the constitution being next in order, the committee reported, and the various sections were fully discussed before being voted upon, and finally were voted upon and accepted. To be found on page 73.

The regular program for the hour began with a report of the committee on Education by Mrs. William LeRoy Smith, who said she had sent communications to twenty-five organizations, asking about their educational activities, and fourteen had responded.

Mrs. Martha Evans Martin spoke upon the same subject, giving also the work of Mrs. Catt as chairman of Education of the Woman's Committee, Council of National Defense.

Mrs. Anna Garlin Spencer gave a paper, “Organizing Forces now at work, for the Reconstruction of the World after the War,” which was followed by an address by Mrs. Louis Post upon the “Pan Americanism of Woman and its Contribution to World Organization.” It was a splendid theme, well handled.

Miss Jane Addams had a vital subject, “The World's Food Supply— the new Internationalism.” She brought out the fact that in the early periods woman had been the food provider, and in India and some other countries, she is always pictured with a hoe. She said the men talk about the conservation of food but it is really the woman who saves it.

Mrs. Barrett read a letter from Mrs. Bain, who has been spending some true in Mexico, and is here as the representative of Mexican women who wish to affiliate with the Council.

Mrs. Barrett moved to admit them and send them greetings. Motion carried.

After the luncheon at which Mrs. Geo. Bass, Hon. P. P. Claxton, Miss Mabel Boardman, and Mr. John Barrett were speakers, Mrs. N. E. Harris was called to the chair and business was resumed. Mrs. Tingey spoke for her committee on “Marriage and Divorce.”

Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey on the “Legal Status of Women,” made it clear to all why a woman should not lose her citizenship in this country, because of her marriage to a foreigner.

Mrs. Steele spoke for Mrs. Campbell, on Community Music.

Miss Marion May, chairman of Suffrage, called upon Dr. Anna Howard Shaw to speak for the “President and the Future of Woman,” and she handled the subject as only Dr. Shaw can.

The nominating committee reported, which resulted in the election of the following officers to serve for the ensuing two years:

President, Mrs. Philip North Moore; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett, Mrs. John Hays Hammond, Mrs. Nathaniel E. Harris, Miss Anna A. Gordon.

Corresponding Secretary, Miss Lila Tayler; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Mary M. North; Treasurer, Dr. Emma E. Bower; Auditor, Mrs. Lois M. Knauff.

The officers were introduced and greeted by the convention.

Mrs. Moore called attention to the silk flag on the platform, and said it had been loaned by Mrs. I. W. Ball.

Mrs. Hilda Bain was introduced by Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett and spoke very interestingly of the women of Mexico, and gave an invitation from them to the Council to hold its next meeting in Mexico City. She also brought the offer of a train of cars, from President Carranza, to carry the Council from the border into Mexico City. A 04337vote of thanks was sent to President Carranza, and one given to Mrs. Bain for her interest in the women of Mexico.

Mrs. Lois M. Knauff, National President of the Woman's Relief Corps, being called upon for a report, said the W. R. C. had cared for the “Boys in Blue” in the sixties, and they were going to care for the “Boys in Brown” in the present war.

Mrs. Tarbox spoke of the patriotic work of the Ladies of the G. A. R. Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery spoke for the National American Woman's Suffrage Association. Mrs. Parks for the W. C. T. U.

Mrs. Moore announced before adjournment. that a treat was in store for all who would attend the evening meeting, and gave the following as the program:

Music—Songs of the Allies, Mrs. Edna Thomas, contralto, Mr. Arthur Hackett, tenor, of New York. Miss Lucy Brinkenstein, accompanist. The topic, “The United States and Her Allies.” Speakers, Representatives of the High Commissions of England and France, Lord Eustace Percy, British War Commission, Lieut.-Colonel Edouard de Billy, French High Commission.

“The League of Nations”—William Howard Taft, President, League to Enforce Peace.

WEDNESDAY MORNING MEETING, DECEMBER 12

In the auditorium of the Y. W. C. A. the third session of the National Council of Women was called to order by the President, Mrs. Philip North Moore at 9:30.

The Secretary, Mrs. Mary M. North, read the minutes of the previous session which were approved.

Under the head of unfinished business the recommendations of the President were taken up:

1. To appoint a committee in each state, in the large city of the state, on International Relations.

Each recommendations was unanimously adopted.

Mrs. Moore also recommended that we again have “Every Woman” as the official organ, but after a full discussion it was the decision of the Council that it was not expedient to name one organ, but to make use of the generous offer from organizations to use their official journals for messages from the National Council of Women.

Mrs. Schoff was called upon to take charge of the program upon Child Welfare and introduced Mrs. Edward T. Stotesbury who is chairman of the Navy committee appointed by Secretary Daniels. She went into detail regarding the work of her committee, giving many interesting incidents. She spoke of the comforts which were being supplied the Navy and the Marines, and said that the women must be steadfastly behind the men on the sea, to help them win the war. Mrs. Schoff moved that the Council will, so far as possible, carry out the recommendations of Secretary Daniels and Mrs. Stotesbury.

Mr. Milton Fairchild was the next speaker, his topic being “Character Education in the Public Schools.”

Mrs. Schoff moved that the Council give its moral support to all recommendations of the speakers. Carried.

Dr. Elizabeth Thelberg, of Vassar College, had the next hour assigned her, as chairman of the committee on Public Health and gave an exhaustive paper on Public Health in relation to war. Dr. Thelberg gave great credit to those who are looking after the morals and general 04539health of the men in the camps, and said that no Nation on earth was doing so much for their men as the United States. She said that women physicians and nurses were in great demand, and urged all to use their influence to get women to take these courses.

Mrs. Schoff, at the close of the address, announced that in response to Dr. Thelberg's appeal for scholarships for girls along the suggested lines, that Mrs. Stotesbury would be responsible for one. This was received with applause.

Announcement was made by Mrs. Moore that Mr. John Barret would receive the members of the Council at 2:30 in the Pan-American Building, and from there the ladies were expected to go to the home of Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett in Alexandria, Va., for a reception at four o'clock, followed by a meeting of the Board and dinner at six.

The Resolutions committee through Dr. Thelberg made the following report:

RESOLUTIONS

To the National Council of Women of the U.S.:

Your Committee on Resolutions begs leave to report as follows:

Resolution No.1

RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women urge the President and Congress to expedite the passage of the Federal Amendment clearing the way for the giving of suffrage to the women of this country in order that they may better perform their duties as citizens and demonstrate to the world the complete democracy of the United States.

Resolution No.2

RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women extends its loyal support to the President of the United States. The organizations in membership pledge whatever service they can render in this war and in the reconstruction which must follow.

Resolution No.3

The National Council of Women extends to the Hon. Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War, its hearty approval and gratitude for his insistence upon a clean zone around the national cantonments and training camps.

Resolution No.4

The National of Women express to Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, gratitude and earnest appreciation of his message to the Surgeons of America urging them to teach young men continence and a clean life. We also thank him for his efforts for the protection of the moral life of the men in the Navy.

Resolution No.5

BE IT RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women urge Congress to pass a bill prohibiting the manufacture and sale of liquor.

Resolution No.6

RESOLVED, That we deprecate any effort or legislation which will tend to increase the price abnormally, or favor the exploitation of necessary commodities during the war period.

Resolution No.7

Recognizing the splendid work done by private organizations for the spiritual and moral forces of the Army and Navy, and realizing that their work is temporary and unofficial, while that of regular chaplains is permanent and official, and finding that no official recognition of the needs of the regular chaplains has been extended, be it, therefore.

RESOLVED, That the Secretaries of War and Navy be urged to erect needed building for the use of the Army and Nay cantonments and navy guards.

Resolution No.8

RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women express appreciation of the presence of The Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair, President of the International Council of Women, and for her inspiring and helpful instructions on Council work. We pledge her the support of the Council of Women of the United States in all measures of aid and comfort within our power, and beg her to extend this assurance to the National Councils of England and France, and to any other Council of Allied and neutral nations whom she may be able to reach.

Resolution No.9

We extend hearty thanks to the Young Women's Christian Association for our use of its comfortable and commodious headquarters for our biennial meeting.

Resolution No.10

RESOLVED, That we express our deep appreciation of the inspiring song service arranged by Mrs. David Allen Campbell, and for all those who so contributed to the success of this great meeting. We also extend thanks to Mrs. Myra Kingman Miller for the representative film production exhibited for our pleasure.

We thank Ex-President Taft, Secretary McAdoo, and the many government officials and speakers and musicians who have added so much to our enlightenment upon the public questions of the day, and to the pleasure of this biennial meeting.

To our President we express our appreciation for the magnificent program provided and for her consideration and justness as our presiding officer.

Resolution From the Floor, Offered by Helena Hill Weed

RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women sustains all legislation which guards the life and health of women and children in industry and protests against the attempts made by National and State legislation to break down the protection of women and children in industry under the guise of “war necessity.”

Fraternally submitted, MRS. FRANCES E. BURNS, MRS. FREDERICK SCHOFF, DR. A. B. THELBERG, MISS KATE DAVIS, MRS. KATE WALLER BARRETT.

The resolutions of a controversial nature were referred to the organizations and two objected to No. 1.

Mrs. Mary Church Terrill moved that the Council put itself on record as favoring the opening of various trades and pursuits to colored women, which are closed to them today. Carried.

Mrs. Barrett moved that an engrossed resolution be sent to General Allender, who heads the British army which has taken Jerusalem from the Turks, and this to be signed by all the officers of the Council and the Presidents of affiliated organizations. Carried.

Mrs. Barrett moved that the matter of badges for mothers of soldiers be left to the discretion of the Board. Carried.

Miss Tatiana Boumestrow of Russia, brought a message of greeting from the women of Russia to the Council.

Mrs. Martin of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, reported upon the war work of her association, followed by Mrs. Williams who told of the work of the National Relief Association.

Mrs. North, for the President, Mrs. Joseph M. Strout, of the Woman's National Rivers and Harbors Congress, told of the work for adequate defense and other war activities.

Miss Davis of the People's International Forum, has just returned from an interview with the Food Commission, and they were going to arrange at once for a War market, and hoped for the cooperation of the National Council of Women.

Mrs. Terrill spoke for the Federation of Colored Women and said she hoped that the Red Cross would accept colored nurses. Dr. Clara McNaughton spoke for the Federal Suffrage Association and also told of her early war experiences in Paris.

Dr. P. P. Claxton spoke for a few minutes upon the number of persons in our country who can neither read nor write, and asked the Council to endorse the educational bills now before Congress, copies of which were distributed. Mrs. Harris moved that we endorse them. Motion carried.

The President read a letter from Commissioner of Immigration Camminetti, as follows, approving the work of the National Council of Women.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Immigration Washington

December 11, 1917.

Mrs. Philip N. Moore, President, National Council of Women, Washington, D. C.

My Dear Mrs. Moore:

I have you kind invitation to be present at your Biennial meeting and will endeavor to do so.

Yours is the pioneer national organization of women to take up the work of the Department of Labor in immigration, employment and related matters and by approval thereof with offer of co-operation in its behalf and in behalf of its many affiliated organizations, has contributed powerful aid in every state for the benefit of women and girls and the cause of humanity.

The Bureau also acknowledges receipt of your epitome of my statement as to what could be done by the National Council and affiliated organizations in the present emergency, in co-operation with 04943the Department's activities. The same is correct and further consideration has satisfied it that many more lines of beneficial work can be added thereto. The Bureau will be pleased to confer with you and your several Committees concerning the same.

The Bureau is gratified to note the great success of the National Council in its chosen field of duty; and, in this era of war and sacrifice, extends its good wishes, and expresses the hope that the cherished aspirations of your extensive membership may be realized in the highest measure. Sincerely yours, A. CAMMINETTI, Commissioner-General.

The report of Mrs. Alden, who represented the Council in bringing an early report, was presented and with a slight change was accepted.

Mrs. Mumford moved a vote of thanks to the Program committee for their splendid feast of good and great things. Carried.

Invitations from the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade, the Conventions Bureau, and various clubs of St. Louis, Mo., for the next meeting to be held in their city were read and referred to the Executive Committee.

Dr. Brown spoke of the work of the late Mrs. Clara B. Colby, a Patron of the Council, and presented a book written by herself about Mrs. Colby.

It was voted to send letters of sympathy to Mrs. Keefe, Miss Francis, and others who were ill, and could not be present. It was announced that the National Council of Jewish Women represented by Mrs. Harris, the president, had telegraphed at once to Halifax, in the recent disaster by explosion and fire, the sum of $100.

Mrs. Harris said that in war relief her organization had expended $50,000, and the Philadelphia branch had sold $746,000 worth of war bonds, and had sent one dollar per capita to the Red Cross. She made this report now, because there had been no time before.

Mrs. Schoff moved a rising vote of thanks to the President and the local committee for the entertainment of the Council.

Upon motion the meeting was adjourned.

MARY M. NORTH, Secretary.

EVENING MEETING, DECEMBER 10, 1917

The session on Monday evening, December tenth, was held at 8 p.m., in the Auditorium of the New National Museum, under the auspices of the National Federation of College Women, the president, Mrs. Myra Kingman Miller, of California, acting as chairman.

The Federation exemplified its work in the Better Film Movement, visualizing Patriotic Education by the presentation of the masterpiece of the industry “Mothers of France,” a motion picture made under the auspices of the French Government, with Madame Sarah Bernhardt in the title role, used by the courtesy of the World Film Company.

The Allies honored the meeting by sending representatives. General Vagual, military attache of the Ambassade de France, represented the French government and gave greetings. Gen. Vagal fought in the battle of the Marne. Minoru Fujii, of the Japanese Embassy, represented his nation; Senor Falsori of the Regia Ambasciata D'Italia, was presented and gave greetings. The officers of the Council and other dignitaries were guests of honor.

The Washington Chapter Beta Kappa Pi acted as ushers. Miss Kathrine Hyman, piano soloist, of New York, gave a group of charming solos, as did the vocal soloist furnished by the Friday Morning Music Club, of Washington, D.C.

In introducing the picture, Mrs. Miller said “We believe that the motion picture is the greatest factor in the education of the masses today, and as much demands our attention and influence. In presenting ‘Mothers of France’ we feel that we are presenting a classic, and that it well exemplifies the spirit of the evening—Patriotic Education—and the spirit of the age—Universal Democracy.”

The Reception committee and invited guests of honor were as follows: Chairman, Mrs. Myra Kingman Miller, 05145New York, President National Federation of College Women; Lady Aberdeen, President International Council of Women; Mrs. Philip North Moore, President National Council of Women; Mrs. John Hayes Hammond, Vice-President; Ambassador and Mme. Jusserand of France; Ambassador and Countess di Celiere of italy; Ambassador and attaches from England; Ambassador and Mrs. O. Sato from Japan; United States Commissioner of Education and Mrs. P. P. Claxton; Mrs. Flora Warren Seymour, Chicago, Secretary N. F. C. W.; Mrs. Lillian B. Spannagel, California national Industrial Chairman; Mrs. William Woolard, President Washington College Club; Officers of the National Council, Attaches of the Embassies.

EVENING MEETING DECEMBER 11, 1917

At Auditorium of the National Museum, Mrs. Philip North Moore, presiding.

The music of the evening included selections by Arthur Hackett, tenor, and songs of the Allies, by Edna Thomas, contralto.

The decorations were effective. Silk flags in groups formed panels on the walls. The great white screen was utilized for a display of the Discovery and Revolutionary Flags, a unique set of some eighty-six in number, including special flags used upon our battleships, and Mrs. Ball's fine collection of Flags of the Allies surrounded the United States flag in the center.

The address by Lord Eustace Percy, of the British War Commission, dealt with conditions of the three great Armies of the Trenches, the Munition factories, and the tilled fields.

Mrs. Moore said: “The world waited long in this great struggle for the U.S. to recognize the power of blood and kindred interests. this recognition came when we first acknowledged the brotherhood of right, of democratic leadership, of carefully considered contracts, carefully kept.”

The address of Lieut. Colonel Edouard de Billy, of the French High Commission, dealt with the splendid public spirit of the American character, the work and sacrifice of the women, and the plans of the women of France for the men of the American Army.

Hon. Wm. G. McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury, addressed the National Council upon the understanding of the people that the bulk of the money needed for the war must be raised from the savings of the people.

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS By Wm. Howard Taft, President of the League to Enforce Peace

“A premature peace is the greatest danger that confronts the Allies” * * * “Those who favor permanent world peace must oppose with might and main the proposals for peace at this juncture in the war.” * * * “The Allies are fighting for a principle, the maintenance of which affects the future of civilization.”

Mr. Taft kindly allows the National Council to send with this report his speech given in Montreal, “The Menace of a Premature Peace,” practically the substance of what he gave to the Council the evening of December 11th.

The evening closed with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Salute to the Flag.

MARY M. NORTH, Recording Secretary.

REPORTS OF CHAIRMEN OF DEPARTMENTS COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION By Mrs. Wm. LeRoy Smith

At the meeting of the National Council of Women held in New York, in June, 1916, the Committee on Education was directed to present to the Council in 1917, a report containing, first a statement of the educational activities of the National Associations, making up the Council, and, second, recommendations for educational work. Early in the autumn of 1916 letters were cent to all members of the Council asking for a statement of their educational work. Answers giving very full information were returned by fourteen of the twenty-five national associations. The chairman ascertained that most of the associations not responding to the inquiry are not engaged in educational work.

The responses from the associations engaged in educational work cover a wide range of activities, extending from the university extensive work to primary, secondary and college education, all kinds of technical and vocational education, special education for defectives, the Ameer organization of immigrants, and education in the special arts and professions. This information has been filed by the chairman who will be glad to give any members of the Council access to it.

The entrance of our country into the war put a different aspect on all projects in which we were engaged. The committee felt hesitation in urging any special new work during the spring and summer of 1917. The readjustments of business routine and the unusual demands on time and strength made greater investigation impossible. But by September, 1917, a demand of peculiar emergency was made on the educated men and women of America to set before the country at large the reasons for the entrance of the United States into the war, the ideals of democracy. A campaign of education was demanded to clarify the issues of the war and to counteract the insidious (and despicable) propaganda of German agents and sympathizers.

Early in the autumn of 1917 your chairman wrote to each member of the committee on education for a general statement of ideas as to the people and purpose of the committee's work in war time, and for a specific statement of the educational projects which we could undertake. The chairman indicated a special project which she recommended.

Among the plans recommended by members of the committee were:

1. The promotion of international scholarships, especially between Latin America and the United States, and the Orient and the United States.

With these suggestions for future work went the unanimous endorsement of the chairman's suggestion that for the duration of the war and for as long a time after hostilities have ceased as may be 05448necessary the committee shall co-operate as far as practicable with the work of the committee on education of the woman's committee of the Council of National Defense. (Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt is chairman of this committee and Mrs. Martha Evans Martin, vice-chairman). The objects of this department of the Council of National Defense is best stated in the words to the chairman of the departments of educational propaganda.

There is abundant evidence that wide-spread ignorance exists concerning the reasons why we are at war, and what winning or losing it will mean to our country. Anti-war propaganda is being pushed actively in all directions. Doubtless some of it is “inspired,” but some is the honest conviction of “conscientious objector” where the feeling is not definitely hostile there is made apathy. The continued rumor that the Central Powers are ready for peace, combined with the fact that prices of food and clothing are continually mounting higher, furnish a cause which is certain to add fervor to the anti-war movement. Such unrest may easily lead to serious consequences if counter-educational propaganda is not brought to the rank and file of our people.

No more fruitful source of determining the anti-war feeling of our country has been found than talks with millions of women in our country through the circulation of food-pledges. Women are great sentiment makers in any nation. Rarely has deliberate effort been made to convert them to our aid. Germany now has gained every vantage point for which she has longed and if she can hold them it means another preparation for another war of conquest. Our nation is fighting a great war of liberation. These are the facts which must be borne to every man and woman of our nation.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROPAGANDA Mrs. Martha Evans Martin

The Department of Educational Propaganda of the Woman's Committee has only been in existence about two months, but it has laid out a program for rather extensive work. It has at this time chairman at work in about thirty of the stales.

Our plan is to hold state-wide meetings in the largest cities in each state which the county chairman will attend, and then go home and hold county meetings of a similar kind. We intend that these shall be followed by meetings in still smaller communities until every family has been reached and every person in it understands why we are in this war and why we must win it.

This is a large undertaking and if we accomplish it we may well be thought the most successful committee in the government service. This we hardly even aspire to be, but we are making strides towards 05549the accomplishment of our program and in some committees we have already reached the rural school houses with the smaller meetings we are holding

We have also distributed considerable literature of an informing nature and except to make this an important feature of our work.

In all the work our one object is to so direct and assist the states that they may be able to create a widespread intelligent public opinion concerning the causes and contingencies of the war.

CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE Mrs. Hannah H. Schoff

The recommendations made on consultation with each member of the Committee were as follows:

Recommendations of Child Welfare Committee

Suggestions From Commissioner Claxton

“My first suggestion is naturally the work which the National Congress of Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associations is already doing in co-operation with the Bureau of Education for the instruction of parents in regard to the care and early education of their children, the intelligent co-operation of school and home during the years that the children are in school, and the extension of the education of boys and girls and older people after they have left school as has been provided through reading courses. All three phases of this work are of very great importance and are all capable of greater extension than we have yet been able to give them. All of them look toward making the home more effective as an institution of education and of bringing about such co-operation between the home and school as will make the work of the school far more effective than it now is.

Second, I would suggest as special work the care of the health of very young children. In the light of present knowledge it is nothing less than a national crime to permit hundreds of thousands of children to die needlessly every year. But this cannot be prevented except through greater knowledge on the part of parents, a keener sense of responsibility in regard to their duty, and better public sanitation.

Third, the care and education of wayward children. As yet, comparatively little intelligent work has been done anywhere for defective children, and children of various kinds and degrees of waywardness. There is great need for a very careful study of homes and “institutions” for orphan children and children who for one reason or another have been taken from their parents and placed in the care of institutions.

Fourth, there is also demand for the study of special needs of crippled children. It is estimated that there are or four hundred thousand children in the United States that need special care because of some form of crippling.

On our streets and elsewhere we constantly see men, women and children attempting to eke out a precarious subsistence by the sale of pencils, shoe-strings, and other things of the kind. These crippled children need: First, hospital care and attention of skilled physicians to restore them to more or less normal condition and second, they need special care in their education so that they may be fitted to do the things which their physical condition will best permit.

With the passage of the National Child Labor Bill and the stricter enforcement of child labor laws which will come as the result, there is a greater need than in th past for providing suitable forms of work for children under fourteen years of age. In most manufacturing towns and villages in the suburbs of large cities and to a greater extent than in generally suspected, in the very heart of these large cities, there is opportunity for home gardening directed by the school. I am convinced that the garden work, properly directed, is the most suitable and valuable form of work for these children. It gives them good out-door exercise, contributes to their physical health, furnishes raw material for knowledge of nature, teaches the primary lesson of morality that every person should contribute by his own efforts towards his own support, and has great economic value in providing, at no additional expense except the use of otherwise idle land and the employment of otherwise idle children, a large amount of suitable food for the children and the families in which they live.

I hope your committee may be able to work out practical forms of co-operation between the Federal Government and the various organizations which make up the Women's Council.”

These recommendations were sent to the president of each National organization in membership with the Council, asking for co-operation in promoting the objects named. Letters were received from many, cordially promising such co-operation.

Just previous to the meeting of the National Council of Women your chairman sent a letter to each one of the national organizations asking for reports of what had been done in this directions. Only a few have replied, and I cannot give a full report of how much has been accomplished—probably much more than can be tabulated. At this time when the welfare of children is of more importance than ever before the value of the National Council of Women for co-operative work cannot be over-estimated. It is without question the organization which will be ready to take up the questions of child welfare, not only in our own country but in other nations, when the reconstructive work that must come after the war, will rest largely in the hands of American women.

Every organization of women should give its hearty support and co-operation to the National Council of Women.

IMMIGRATION Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett

The decrease of immigration during the war has enabled us to find ourselves and realize somewhat the enormous economic value of the immigrant and his importance in helping develop the natural resources of the country. Already we hear, on every side, the desire expressed to have the recent legislation in regard to the exclusion of illiterate rescinded; and also loosening of immigration laws in other lines. Whether we agree with this attitude or not it is interesting to know that at least immigration is not now looked upon as an unmixed evil. Many persons who have prognosticated a great increase in immigration at the close of the war have also modified their views and are wondering if instead of Europeans coming to us many of our skilled workers will not be called to Europe to supervise the rehabilitation of the ruined districts.

I have always maintained that there would not be an increase of immigration following the war, unless it should be of women. I still believe that in spite of the demand for womens’ service in Europe, the remembrances which will force themselves upon many because of the changed conditions brought about by the war, will cause a large number of young women to come to America if it is possible for them to do so. At any rate we have had an opportunity of catching our breath and looking at the subject of immigration from a sane and impartial standpoint. As a result, whatever effort is put forth by the government, either for immigration or its restriction, will be practical and constructive, rather than born of the exigencies of the moment.

The Committee on Immigration of the National Council of Women, has been vigilant in trying to uphold the policy adopted by the Federal Government for the proper supervision of women deported. Cases have been called to our attention and have been provided for by us of women deported to Italy, Ireland and Canada, and in every instance we have felt the advantage of having some international machinery for this purpose. The need of detailing in this country women who are to be deported, until the man, guilty of their downfall, shall be apprehended, is of paramount importance. But in spite of our efforts in this respect we have not always been successful. The great trouble is that unless the girl is proven to be innocent the government is loath to hold the man guilty of any crime. This is a decided lowering of the standard which has been set by the Department of Justice, which holds the crime as abhorrent, whether the girl is a first offender or not. When the laws of the land are violated the private character of the individual violating these laws should not be considered.

We hope very much that the various societies affiliated with the National Council of Women will inform themselves upon this subject and will use their influence to maintain justice in this respect. The most interesting item from an International viewpoint is the establishment by Mexico of strict immigration laws and the maintenance at each port of entry of immigration officers.

The National Council of Jewish women, the National Y.W.C.T.U. and the Notional Florence Crittenton Mission, as well as other organizations, have all assisted the Committee on Immigration and have made opportunities for us to bring to the attention of the various women's societies throughout the country the value of International co-operation with the women of the world, which is only possible through the affiliation with the National Council, and the International Council. The value of this International affiliation for the purpose of co-operation upon international problems will become more apparent at the close of the war when we again establish normal relations with the world.

ON LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey

We regret to state that little progress has been made since the last Biennial in the legal status of women, except as affected by the granting in many states of the right of suffrage. This political change in status properly belongs to the report of another committee.

The bills before the Senate and House, to give American women, married to aliens, the right to retain their own nationality, are now attracting attention because of the recent proclamation of the President of the United States, excluding all male aliens. It is believed that the woman alien enemy may be quite as much of a menace as the man. It is also dawning on the public that the German or Austrian born wife of an American citizen does not lose her early family traditions and sympathies because she is legally an American citizen through marriage to an American.

The converse is also true, that the American woman, married to an alien does not necessarily, in her heart of hearts, give up her allegiance to her native land and transfer it to the land of her spouse.

It is also a fact that in the States where women have been enfranchised there are many thousands married to aliens, who can not exercise the right of suffrage. In short, it is rapidly dawning upon the public conscience that a woman, the same as a man, has a right to choose to what country she will give allegiance.

We to have a hearing during the present week, before the House Committee on Immigration on the bill and we ask every member 06054of the Council representing an organization to work for the passage of the bill.

The Executive Board has accepted the recommendations of this committee urging action in every state to raise the age of consent for girls—to make it the same as the legal or majority age for girls. If a girl is not old enough to make a valid contract, she should not be allowed to legally consent to her own loss of virtue. Never was there greater need of protection of young girls than now, and it is for the older women to take a practical interest in this subject.

The Executive Board has also endorsed the enactment of laws in every state making fathers and mothers equal guardians of minor children and we ask that the Council endorse this measure. It is but just to the child that the mother should have equal authority with the father. Now that so many fathers are in the army, this measure is especially important.

We are glad to report that since the last Biennial, Georgia and Arkansas have both removed the legal restrictions against women as practising attorneys. Virginia is now the only state that does not allow women attorneys to practice before the courts.

The unsettling of social and industrial conditions by the world wide war will undoubtedly result in many necessary changes in the legal status of women, and at the next Biennial this Committee should have much of interest to report.

THE SUFFRAGE COMMITTEE Miss Marion May

After more than three years of war we are all thinking in international terms so that a suffrage resume seems incomplete without reference to the achievements of democracy for women in other lands. The war has brought suffrage victory to the women of England, Canada, Russia and Denmark, and substantial gains are in sight in France, Holland and Hungary.

In the United States women have presidential suffrage in five states, and full equal suffrage with men in twelve states. This includes New York, the winning of which, on November 6, 1917, is admitted by all to be the immediate forerunner of the passage of the Susan B. Anthony amendment through Congress.

At the Biennial the suffrage committee had the pleasure and honor of presenting Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, who spoke briefly of the 70 year long struggle of women to bring this government into harmony with the fundamental principle of justice nd democracy which demands that the people be given equal privilege and equal opportunity regardless of sex. Dr. Shaw referred to the millions of women who were demanding through motives of purest patriotism that 06155the national enfranchisement of women be granted at once in order that the energies of women might be released to perform their duties as citizens, and demonstrate to the world the complete democracy of the United States.

ON PRISON REFORM Mrs. Francis McNeil Bacon, Jr.

The Joint Committee on Prison Reform believes that vagrancy is one of the most important aspects of the industrial problems which will confront this country both during the war and during the period of reconstruction that will follow after peace has been declared.

We therefore ask the National Council of Women to consider the following brief outline of the reasons why attention must be given to vagrancy, and of a program for constructive action in dealing with it.

Reasons Why It is Necessary to Deal with Vagrancy

In order to make this country—or the world—efficient, and to enable it to deal effectively and intelligently with human needs, waste must be eliminated.

Vagrancy presents the greatest waste, or dead loss, existing in our industrial and social system today. In one state only, New York, the number of men actually committed to county jails and penitentiaries in 1914 for vagrancy and offenses growing out of it, reached the total of 18,845. 160,000 lodgers were also housed in town lockups and jails, in the same state, in the same year. The number of vagrants in the entire United States would reach probably to two millions. From two to three millions is the estimate of the Commission on Industrial Relations, of the number of migratory workmen. Now that immigration has been almost stopped, and our working force further lessened by the calling of men to the colors, it has become imperative upon us to conserve the manhood of the nation, and to end this tremendous waste.

These men, wandering about the country, are not only lost to industry, they not only fail to contribute to the welfare of the world, but they also constitute a drain on the contribution of the others, but they entail heavy costs, as indicated above, on our charitable and penal institutions. The direct cost to New York state for board of tramps sent to a penitentiary is 30c per day; in other words, it cost New York State about $150,000 in one year to board the tramps that were sentenced to the penitentiaries. In addition, the expenditures made by overseers and superintendents of the poor for feeding vagrants in only a few of the counties of the state, in 1915, was over $170,000. This, be it remembered, is for one state alone.

The indirect costs are as great, or greater. They include hospital care for vagrants who become ill from exposure or under-nourishment, 06256and for those who become permanently incapacitated from such diseases as tuberculosis and fall into the ranks of dependents. The loss to the community from the weakening of will power, the decay of moral fibre, and the breaking down of moral standards, is beyond calculation.

No country can be prepared or organized for industrial and social life that has hundreds of thousands of wasted men tramping over its highways. No greater service could be done either as a matter of organizing industry, or of assisting our whole situation, as by reducing the cost of living by providing workmen for farms, than to devise and put into practice a sensible plan for getting these vagrant men back into the ranks of industry, and thus to turn a liability into an asset.

Program for Constructive Action

There are three things that must be done:

1. An investigation must be made of the entire matter. This must cover county jails and lockups where the men are housed or in which they are locked no while in search of work; it must also cover such provision as exists in the way of municipal or charitable lodging houses; and it must include the employment bureaus, both public and private upon which the men have to depend in their search for work. In short, we must find out how they live while they are hunting work, what help they have in finding it, and how they get about from place to place.

2. We must then separate the vagrants into the groups into which they seem to fall, for they are not all alike, and have not all fallen into the ranks of vagrants from the same causes or for the same reasons. It would be as shortsighted to think that all wandering workmen, or all men who come into one municipal lodging house, need the same treatment, as to think that all men who walk into one hospital do.

There are three classes or groups of vagrants that need special treatment:

(a) The criminals: some of the vagrants, though probably not many, undoubtedly are criminals. Society must be protected against them.

Taking out these small groups who need institutional treatment, there remains the great body of vagrants called hoboes—men really 06357searching for work, and knowing of no other way to get it than by tramping around to where they hear men are wanted. These are the men, hundreds of thousands, who need only the opportunity to become steady, dependable workmen and citizens.

3. The third step is clear from the preceding two; it is to separate the abnormal members of the vagrants, as indicated above, from the general body, and give these abnormal ones whatever they need from a medicalor paychopathic point of view; and then we must deal with the others from a common sense, practical, business point of view. We must provide adequate systems of employment offices, so that there will be no missing links between the man that wants work and the work that wants the man; we must provide places for a man to live in while he is going from one place to another that will not lower but raise his own ideas of comfort and cleanliness and decency, and that will not expose him to diseases of various kinds; and we must assist in devising plans for the reduction of seasonal labor, or for the fitting together of two kinds of seasonal labor, and for the training of unskilled men that show aptitude and ability.

By these means, hundreds of thousands of men can be changed from vagrants into reliable workmen, great industrial waste can be prevented and a grave human and social problem can be solved.

ON PERMANENT PEACE Prof. Anna Garlin Spencer of Meadville, Pa.

In May, 1916, I accepted the chairmanship of this committee, succeeding Mrs. Lucia Ames Mead, who had served with usefulness and distinction. Securing her sympathetic interest and adding that of Pres. Woolley of Mt. Holyoke College, Mrs. Louis F. Post representing the Pan-American interests of women and Miss Marian Tilden Burritt of New York, I addressed a questionnaire to all constituent bodies of the Council concerning their possible work for and interest in internationalism. Replies indicated that four of these organizations had definite departments of peace and arbitration and seven others had committees or departments of an international significance and value. The chief work of this Committee, which has necessarily been curtailed and changed from original plans by the entrance of our country into the world war, has been the distribution of programs of study for use by our constituent bodies. These programs embraced “The Minimum Program for a Durable Peace,” the program of the “League to Enforce Peace,” of the “World Court League,” of the “Woman's Peace Party” in its statement of needed items for a “Constructive Peace,”—the program of “A Governed World” adopted by the American Peace Society and having the definite approval of the highest authorities on International Law,—and the special study—digest of the “World Alliance for Promoting International Friendship 06458through the Churches and the Commission of International Justice and Good Will of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America.”

The work done was of small and tentative a character mainly because of the general excitement due to the new conditions of the United States and to the fact that the various organizations represented in the Council held varying views on the present issues involved.

The report dealt specifically with the assets of Internationalism now in world consciousness and ready for use in building a new and better world after this war is over.

ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN IN WASHINGTON, D. C., MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE OF WHICH MRS. ANNA GARLIN SPENCER IS CHAIRMAN Mrs. Louis F. Post

It was with a strong desire to promote international friendliness that at the time of the Second Pan American Scientific Congress, held in Washington, D. C., December 27, 1915, to January 8, 1916, some Washington women made an effort to induce as many of the Latin American women as possible to attend the Congress.

They invited their guests to a Conference especially arranged for them, at which some of the most representative women of the United States read papers on matters especially interesting to women. To the great delight of their hostesses the Latin American guests not only seemed interested in the addresses, but they themselves made fluent and capable comments and speeches, in Spanish, in French or in English. Social entertainment were also interspersed with the more serious meetings.

A report of the Conference was published in Spanish and English in June, 1916. Besides this the Conference left behind itself the nucleus of a committee for the purpose of arranging, if possible, for a more important Pan American conference of women at the time when the Third Pan American Scientific Congress shall meet. This is now set for Lima, Peru, in 1921.

All this seems like a very little thing in the world of big things, but we hope that it is one of the international beginnings.

REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE, NEW YORK CITY Dr. Elizabeth E. Thelberg, Vassar College

There was never a time in the history of the world when the question of public health was of more importance than at the present moment. No epoch in the world's history equals the present in what 06559may be called mass attack upon disease. The control, the prevention, the defeat of communicable disease, will constitute one of the great blessings to humanity resulting from the war. Smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus and the diseases entering the body by the digestive tract, dysentery, typhoid, etc., are already under control. Those toward which effort is being at the moment directed are scarlet fever, measles, mumps, whooping cough, meningitis, typhus, and the two venereal diseases. The prevention and the control of infection in wounds is a subject of gigantic importance. The chief lesson from the battle fields concerning them is this:—wounds must be kept open, kept drained, and in many cases continually irrigated.

The importance of the conditions known as shock and shell shock, their cause, their treatment and their prevention, are subjects of intense interest and of active scientific investigation. It is the opinion of the most eminent neurologists that defective conditions traceable to infections consequent upon attacks of measles or scarlet fever in childhood are at the root of unstable nerve conditions which predispose men at the front to these wrecking nerve conditions. Sir Douglas Haig has recently stated that there is no preventable disease on the western front. Is there a city, town or village in America of which this may be said? While mass attacks upon disease are freeing the army from its domination, scarlet fever, measles, rheumatic infections, meningitis and whooping cough are still the Herods of infancy and childhood here at home. We women “behind the guns” must not fix our eyes upon our knitting, good and important as the knitting is, if it renders us oblivious to these public health conditions. There is work to do in every public school in our country and in countless homes, of comfort as well as of poverty.

THE FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY SING, DECEMBER 9, 1917, 4:00 P.M. Mrs. David Allen Campbell

Nowhere and at no time in the world's history has democracy among a people risen to so complete a demonstration of its sincerity as on December 9, at four o'clock, when millions of voices were raised in patriotic song in all parts of the United States. From San Diego to Portland, from Shreveport, L., to Red Wing, Minn.; from the mining camps in Nevada to the nation's capitol, groups of people were singing the same songs at the same hour.

Many letters and telegrams have been received telling of these great sings and other interesting events connected with them, and in every instance the writers ask for more plans, more help in this get together movement.

We wish that the self-satisfied, self-centered ones, who never interest 06660themselves in matters outside their own pleasures, could have been present at the meeting in Washington. Then would they realize, as inevitably they must, the almighty significance of that demonstration from the heart of hearts of America.

Every branch of the government, legislative, executive and judicial, the army and navy, soldiers and sailors, capital and labor, aged veterans and private citizens were represented in that great audience, that filled and overflowed the auditorium to the streets. Everybody sang—sang with devotion, sang with courage, sang with energized spiritual thought, sang with joy, “the joy of the song that's inside you.”

In Washington, where the national Council of Women was assembled, the movement was centralized in a national program, including songs from famous singers. Madame Cisneros sang the Marseillaise, Rule Britannia and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Oscar Seagle sang Arthur Hadley's new song, Defend America, some negro spirituals and Somewhere in France. Carrie Jacobs Bond, inspired by the suggestion of a Spiritual Army of National Defense, wrote and dedicated a song to the day, Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand. The song was sung by Oscar Seagle.

Professor Otto Simon conducted the Tree of Light, the carols being sung by the Motet Choir of 100 male voices, and the Rubinstein Choir of 100 women. The administration Flag Day Chorus of 700 men and women, accompanied by the Marine Band, led by Earl Carbank, gave the March of Our Nation.

One of the features of the Washington music was a war song, Lafayette, We Are Here, written or the occasion by Henry W. Geiger of New York, and sung by Newton T. Hammer, the sentiment based upon General Pershing's words as he stood before the monument o Lafayette on his arrival in France.

Another new song of merit on the program was America, My Country, by Jens Grondahl of Red Wing, Minnesota, Editor of the Red Wing Republican.

Secretary of War Baker, Mrs. Philip Moore, president, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, and Mrs. David A. Campbell (chairman of the day) were speakers at this meeting.

The Washington program included also the Songs of the nation: The Star-Spangled Banner, America, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, led by Mrs. A. M. Blair of Washington. The Songs of Home led by Mrs. W. D. Steel, Chairman of the Music Committee of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. Songs of the Hour and Community Songs led by Albert N. Hoxie, Director of the Philadelphia Community Chorus and the community work of the League Island Navy Yard. Songs from the trenches, including Keep the Home Fires 06761Burning, Over There, There's a Long, Long Trail, Pack Up Your Troubles, led by Kenneth Clark, of Camp, Meade, and The Song of Victory, composed and led by Hamlin Cogswell, Director of the Public Schools of Washington. Come All Ye Faithful and Onward Christian Soldiers were directed by Percy Foster of Washington.

“We want the echoes of this great song day to tell the boys in France that we are helping them with our songs to win the victory,” said Mrs. David Allen Campbell, of New York, Chairman of the Department of Community Music of the National Council of Women, the originator and the moving spirit in the “National Song Day.” “It means than an army of spiritual defense is behind our fighting men in France.”

Dr. Anna Howard Shaw led the singing of America.

On Sunday, December 9, at 4 o'clock, America raised its voice in patriotic song. For the first time in the history of the country there was a national patriotic song service in which millions of Americans joined. Men, women and children of every creed, members of patriotic societies, club women, camp-fire girls, boy scouts, business men, boys in camps, trained choruses, the greatest singers of the land and the most humble of America's patriots responded to this inspiration.

The National Council of Women, representing ten million members, which was holding its Convention in Washington, D.C., at that time, set aside this day and hour for community music. Co-operating with this great body of women were the War Department, the Navy Department, the Department of the Interior, the United States Department of Education, the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense, the administrative officers of various states, the Pan-American Union, the National Federation of Music Clubs, the General Federation of Women's Clubs, editors of American newspapers, the Federation of Churches and many other bodies of national significance.

In thousands of communities in the United States, including outlying districts as well as the most cougested portions of great cities, programs had been arranged for the singing of triumphant songs; but the song that went up simultaneously from a million throats at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday, December 9, was the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In churches, synagogues, cathedrals, social settlement houses, hospital, penitentiaries, theatres, moving-picture houses, schools and homes this song was sung. Shut-ins in sick-rooms listened to records of this patriotic anthem on phonographs sent by various phonograph companies of the country. At the Hippodrome in New York the 06862305th Infantry from Camp Upton, who had taken the theatre for that day, joined in the anthem.

Dr. P.P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, requested the officers and teachers and of public and private schools of the country to lend their influence and assistance on this day, when the people of every community should meet in groups and sing the same songs with unity of thought and purpose. He urged the children of the schools to join these singing groups or to arrange to meet at the schoolhouses in singing groups of their own. In colleges, normal schools and all private schools students were requested, through the Department of Education, to meet in their assembly halls for the singing.

“It is hoped,” said Dr. Claxton in his appeal, “that the coming together of the people on this day may in scores of cases proved to be the first of a long series of similar meetings. It is impossible to estimate the influence which such meetings might have upon the deeper spiritual life of the community.”

The National Council of Women with its 10,000,000 members, is a member of the Women's Committee of the National Council of Defense representing all the loyal women of America. Upon these women rests the greatest of responsibilities, upon them largely depends the winning of this world war. It depends upon our women to form an army of spiritual defense, to stand behind our fighting men, an army whose weapons are willing hands, have hearts, a smiling face and a song on the lips, whose armour is loyalty and faith. Faith in our flag that has never known defeat, faith in our boys, faith in our administration, faith in the power of spiritual defense, knowing without a doubt that right must win. We read in the 5th Chapter of Revelation, there shall be a new song, and it shall be heard upon this earth. What is the new song! It is the Community Song. What is the true Community Song! The song of spirit, the song of democracy, “the democracy that is more than a form of government, the spirit of life, education, industry, religion, all of them of, by and for the people.” I have been so filled with the vision of this mighty power, that about two months ago without appropriation of any kind or authorized power, save that as chairman of the National Council of Women, I was impelled to send out a call for a great National Song Day. The response to this call was so universal, so earnest, we know that today the prophecy is being fulfilled. Hundreds of letters and telegrams inform us today fifty million people, men, women and children will join us in singing the Star Spangled Banner. The men in camps, the school children, church choirs, men and women in our state institution, the convalescents in hospitals, the audiences at motion picture houses and theatres, and many at home will join us in this mighty chorus. This great bursting forth into song by all 06963the factors that have been so earnestly working along the Community Singing lines for the past five years is evidence that the time is now for a great spiritual awakening. The War Commission on Army Training Camp activities, has inaugurated and is perfecting plans for a singing army. The supervisors of Public School music, the captains of our industries and the women's clubs have all played an important part in this great preparation. Today they are co-ordinated singing the same songs at the same hour in every village and hamlet in the United States, singing the songs of preparation of the great victory that must come when our Star Spangled Banner, with the flags of our allies in triumph shall wave o'er the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

EVENING SESSION, DECEMBER 11TH ADDRESS OF LORD EUSTACE PERCY British High Commissioner, Washington

The subject of the war is so vast that it is impossible for someone like myself to speak of anything in connection with it except one's own personal feelings and observations. I wish I could—but I know I cannot—give you some picture of the impression which America has produced on me during the last few months. I knew this country well before the war and, out of that time, one memory especially has remained with me—the memory of a little village in Connecticut one October Sunday five years ago when the news arrived of the outbreak of the first Balkan War. Knowing what that meant of war and disaster for Europe, I remember walking up and down the village street between the great New England elms, thinking hew peaceful and remote from such fears and shadows was this America of yours. But now I have another memory which will remain with me through life—the memory of another sunny Sunday afternoon last April when I came back to Washington with the Balfour Mission, to meet a welcome and to find a stirring of hearts, an euthusiasm and a determination which profoundly affected every Englishman who saw it.

This is the new America for which we Englishmen must always feel a profound admiration and gratitude. But I am not here to speak to you of your own country, for that would be an impertinence. I am her to speak of England and, in spite of all the great American effort an absorption in the war which we see around us, England is not like America. That is natural. By mere lapse of time we are sunk deeper in the war; the waters have, as it were, closed over our heads. I cannot hope to picture to you what England is now, but perhaps the best way in which I can give you some 07064glimpse of it is by a reference to the world “ reconstruction,” which has now entered into our common speech. In England two years ago, as perhaps in America today, that word conveyed some idea of reconstituting the old life, or retracting our steps to conditions as they were before the war. That is no longer thought of in England. It is no longer possible. The old life has already vanished past recall. The whole brain and heart of England is swallowed up in the three great armies of the trenches, the munition factories, and the tilled fields. Every man and woman, irrespective of class or antecedents, is now a workingman and a workingwoman. The whole basis of our old economic life, our overseas trade, has gone. Our imports have been reduced from some 57,000,000 tons a year to less than 20,000,000, if the importation of actual war material is left out of account. There is not a home in England where the shortage of food and the necessity of economy is not hourly present to the mind of every member of the household. These things are no longer with us temporary privations to be endured for a little while till, after peace, we can return to our old lavish expenditure, our old consumption of a hundred luxuries. No; each successive restriction which we impose on ourselves is now a deep, permanent change in the very texture of our society, a lasting training in that frugality by which alone the standard of living of the nation and of society as whole can be raised to the point where happiness, comfort and the “good life” can be secured to all. Therefore our faces are set, not to rebuilt the old society, but to construct a new.

And in this new task we have learned a humbler spirit than in earlier days. War teaches us all that cannot play with the facts of politics, economics or strategy; that government and policy are not mere questions of opinion and debate; that the plans we make may be proved wrong, not long after we are dead, but in a few months, and being proved wrong, may end in blood and disaster before our eyes. And so we plan our new building carefully and without pride, knowing that the new national life will have been bought at a great price.

One word in conclusion. I have tried to draw you a picture of a nation bearing a great strain of privation and of education. You of America who are fresher in this war can aid us by your encouragement, by your understanding of our problems, by showing us that you are associated with us in all that we desire. What I have said of England is not only true, but far truer, of those other nations in Europe who have suffered even more immediately in the war than we. It is only by the fullest association with you that we can face what lies before us: first and above all, to “ finish the work we are in” and then, when work is well and fully done, to “do all that may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace.”

HIGH COMMISSION OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC Lieut. Colonel Edouard de Billy

Having to address, as a Frenchman, and as a delegate of France, this meeting of women of the United States, my first words must be words of gratitude. There is not a man or a woman in France now who should not feel deeply, heartily thankful for what the women of this country have done for France. So many of you have, for three years and a half, devoted time, energy, all professional skill, and all the tenderness of your hearts, in the ambulances on the front, or in the hospitals throughout the country, taking care of the wounded, and giving our boys the comfort of a woman's smile near their beds of suffering. Others have been engaged in canteen work, a difficult, and often very uncomfortable work, so useful, and so appreciated by the men, on their long railroad journeys, or during their short days of rest, just behind the fighting line, in the army zone. Others, who remained here, have devoted their time to raising money, or have sent their own money, for relief work, for hospitals, for reconstruction of villages. And others, also here, have been helping our cause by their writing, by their teaching, or by the powerful suggestion of a strong conviction, working as a radiance, inspiring all round them the same feelings which inspired them. For all this love, and sacrifice, and wonderful and effective help in so many diverse manners, my country will never be thankful enough.

But I am not only addressing individuals. This is a meeting of the National Council of Women, organized in connection with the Council of National Defense, to promote and to co-ordinate organized women's work during the war, and for the war. And for this collective work of the Women of the United States I have also words of gratitude to speak.

A great movement is now spreading throughout this country; the movement in favor of conservation of food, in order to save and to be able to export to the Allies the greatest amount of nonperishable foodstuffs. As a result of this splendid public spirit, which is one of the beautiful features of the American character, and which leads you, when a suggestion comes from men in charge of your common interests, to give that suggestion all your attention, and, when it proves sound and good, to follow it with devoted energy, a great work has been achieved, without compulsion, by the power of persuasion and the example of all those engaged in the Food Administration, and, most of all, of the man who will have done more than any one in this war to relieve the sufferings of hunger in war-stricken Europe—Mr. Hoover.

And to all of the women of this country, who, in their homes, whatever be their means and the more or great difficulties of living, accept to make their lives more difficult by this strenuous effort to save food, and to restrict themselves, I want to say that you are doing a very necessary work; and that you can be assured that any sacrifice you make is a useful deed.

Do you know what the situation is on the other side? I do not speak of the invaded territories of Belgium, or of France, or of Servia where it is appalling, and where people really suffer—and die—perhaps not of hunger, as in the great famines of the past, but of the sufferings consequent to months and months of unsufficient food; I will only speak of the free countries—I have no authority to speak on behalf of Great Britain. But we all know that there is not a home in Great Britain, not even a luxurious hotel in London, where restriction is not badly felt.

In France, a few figures will show you what the situation is: Of all foodstuffs, the imports have been reduced, since the war broke out, by 50 per cent. On the other hand, one-eighth of our territory is occupied by the enemy, one of our best wheat and sugar-beet producing districts. In the remaining parts of France, the men are no more there to till the soil; and whatever have been the efforts of the women to do the farming, they are not physically strong enough to replace the men. Add to this the result of a very bad season, a part of the crops having been destroyed by the late and cold winter, 1917, and you will understand that France, formerly a self-sustaining country as regards wheat, is now strongly deficient. No one can get bread, or sugar, now except through “cards.” The monthly consumption of sugar was before the war 1½ lbs. per head. The card gives now 1 lbs. per head per month. Before the war, the daily consumption of bread was on an average of 655 g. per head. Now since the last decision, dated December 1st, the cards allow, per day, 600 gr. for the fighting men, 400 gr. for the working men, and 200 gr.—about one-third of the former consumption, for the average French man or woman. And this bread is, of course, not made only of wheat.

It is not in order to improve this situation, but to maintain it, that such an effort is demanded from the people of the United States. The recent interallied conference has decided that a commission of competent men should be appointed, in order to investigate the restrictions ordered in the allied countries, and to report on them, so that there should be no doubt about this situation.

So it is, that by what they are doing to save food in their homes, the women of the United States are doing to the fighting 07367nations the greatest service they can do. They help them to live—and thus to hold their own. To those men who devote their time in the Food Administration, and to you, women of this country, who so joyfully and so eagerly follow their suggestions and advices—the allied countries will never be thankful enough.

Whilst you women of the United States do so much for our people, you will perhaps be interested to hear what some women of France are trying to do for your boys.

On the 5th of August of this year, was published, in one of our Paris papers, an article, by Mr. de Waleffe, which I beg to read partly to you, translated into English.

“Let us try and reverse the situation and imagine what we would wish—if it was our men who had crossed the ocean by thousands for some sacred cause or noble defense. O, French families who would have all your boys out these—would it not be a proof of real affection, a mark of sincere friendship which you would call for! Do you not think our French “Poilus” would feel strangely lonely and homesick out there—amongst their comrades, who, as their turn for leave came, had each a family to go to. Where would they be able to go to? Into the cold streets of some unknown town—amidst passersby—whose language was different from theirs, whose houses would not open to receive them, outcasts of the war for whom there was place enough in the trenches but in place in a home unless

Unless great heated America was moved by the pathetic loneliness of the little French soldiers and that in every town, families from all over the country claimed as an honor—and a pleasure—the right of receiving and welcoming during his days of leave the homeless soldier who had left his people to fight for the homes of others.

Well, this homeless soldier is not a vague hypothesis. What we would like to see done for our men—we can do it—for those fine fellows we see sauntering through our streets in their peaked felt hats, their free and supple gait and their khaki uniforms. This winter, they will be in our trenches—helping our tired men, taking their place in the face of death—saving perhaps the lives of some Frenchman. Will it be said they had not a place also in our homes.

Why should not there be in every town of France a committee drawing up lists of honorable French families disposed to receive an American boy during his leave, and a central countries in Paris which would be in contact both with the American authorities and the provincial groups and would see that right selection 07468was made with all necessary tact and care so that the families and the men should be mutually compatible—and the peculiarities of each taken into consideration. For amongst other difficulties, that of the difference of language, will be more easily gotten over by the people who had interests and occupations in common. This is the cry we would send over the ocean. Come to us! We will try and replace in a way the absent ones. You will taste of the sweetness, the honesty of our old provincial family ways of France—which have nothing in common with the France of “Cafe-concerts” whose exasperated legends have reached you!

And when you take leave of us—after the days of victory, the friendship established between your American and your French homes will cross the ocean like that overflowing warm current which beats through ages the shores of your Florida and our Brittany—and will be for our two nations the real moral benefit of this terrible war!”

Some French women have endeavored to realize that wish expressed by a French journalist. A committee has been formed in Paris, which is honored by the chairmanship of Madame la Marecbale Joffre, and by the patronage of a Frenchman well known in this country, our great philosopher Bergson, and includes the names of distinguished women as Madame de Mun and Madame Siegfried. They have started their work, in close touch with Major Murphy, of the American Red Cross in Paris, and with some ladies of the American Embassy in Paris, among whom Mrs. Robert Bliss—this “Comite of French Homes,” as they have named themselves—have promoted subcommittees in different parts of France, principally in the South, in accordance with the wish expressed by General Pershing, that the men should be sent to country places, where the climate should favor sport and out-of-doors life, rather than in the towns or cities. And I may mention that in the south-west an American lady, Mrs. Ridgway, has done most to organize a subcommittee in the Pau district.

The task of these subcommittee is to promote offers from reliable and honorable people, willing to invite, and receive as guests, American soldiers, and to recommend them to the Central Committees in Paris. The aim is to offer hospitality in French houses of all social classes to officers and men of the American army on their furloughs.

Now that the work is started, and a number of most commendable homes ready to receive American officers and men, as others receive their own boys for a few days on leave, the whole matter is under consideration of the American authorities. I hope that, within a few days, a trial will be made, and that some 07569American mothers will have the joy of hearing that their boys have been for some days guests of French mothers—wives of farmers or wives of landlords—poor or rich—all of them happy to welcome as one of their own boys a son of that great nation, united to France since so many years by such a bond of friendship and of love.

May, 1918.—Monsieur de Billy announces at this date that the work progressing far beyond the hopes of those who initiated the plan.

THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN or THE WOMEN'S LEAGUE OF NATIONS Marchioness of Aberdeen and Temair

Perhaps it is not generally realized that the women workers for social welfare all over the world, have already for many years been linked together in a League of Nations, under a banner which, if carried to victory, would transform all international relations.

This International Council in a Federation of National Councils of women in 22 different countries for the promotion of unity and mutual understanding between all associations of women working for the common welfare of humanity, the world over.

It was formed in Washington in 1888 by a group of far-seeing American women who believed that an original movement of women pledged to the services of humanity would become a great power for the promotion of the highest good of the family and the state.

After the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, where women from many countries were able to meet together and discuss plans for developing the new movement, it spread with unexpected rapidity, and the International Council meeting of 1899 in London was able to register delegates from the National Councils and in addition a vast concourse of women of all races and creeds gathered together in Congress to discuss all phases of women's work and opportunities; and before dispersing they were received at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria, then almost in the last year of her reign.

Since then, the International Council has continued to gather strength, meeting periodically in Council or in Executive in most of the capitals of Europe, being received by crowned heads and presidents and leading statesmen. And at its last Quinquennial meeting in Rome in 1914, the roll call included National Councils (according to the date of formation) in the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, France, Argentina, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Norway 07670Belgium, Greece, Bulgaria, Servia, Finland, South Africa and Portugal, and in recent months the applications for affiliation have come from the National Councils of women in Russia and Uruguay.

It will be asked what has the International Council of Women accompanied to justify its claims of having advanced the high aims it sought to further for the world's good, by thus bringing some 20 millions of women into relationship one with the other.

It may be difficult to tabulate results of work whose greatest strength lies in the personal relations of its members, and who through these trust to bring about greater unity of thought, sympathy and purpose, amongst the women workers of all the different countries, and through them to further the application of the Golden Rule to Society, Custom and Law, but even if direct results are asked for, a report can be made of which the International Council need by no means be ashamed. The natural outcome of a succession of meetings between women of different countries, but interested in similar movements in those countries, was to bring about a series of resolutions, adopting certain lines of action and policy which, it was thought, would help the various causes throughout the world, which were transmitted to National Councils to translate into action at their own discretion.

A wise clause in the constitution provided that no new policy could be adopted by the International Council if any of the affiliated National Councils gave an opposing vote, and this fact makes it all the more remarkable that resolutions adopting principles International Arbitration, Woman Suffrage in all countries where a representative government exists, an Equal Moral Standard for men and women, and the Suppression of the White Slave Traffic were passed at successive Councils without any opposition, the National Councils always trusting in another provision of the constitution, whereby no propaganda should be carried on in any country without the definite approval of the National Council of Women of that Country.

The Standing Committees formed in connection with Public Health, Education, the Legal Position of Women, Emigration and Immigration, and the Professional and Industrial position of Women indicate further practical results, in addition to the incalculable value of enabling workers interested in special lines of activity to meet and to correspond with one another regarding the position and progress of their own particular interest in the principal countries of the world.

One of the great advantages ensuing from membership in the International Council has been to enable travelers to obtain 07771immediate introduction to the best source of information regarding their own particular work in other countries visited. Ladies able to present introductions from the officers of their own National Councils find all doors open to them and they are able to get into touch with home life and the inner circles who have most influence in every community and country in a way which they cannot possibly hope to do as individual travelers. And the friendships which have been formed in this way are such as abide and stand the stress of trials and difficulties.

Interesting little volumes have been published by the International Council regarding the Public Health work carried on in different countries, the measures taken for the Prevention of Tuberculosis by care of advanced cases, National Systems of Education and an abstract of the laws of all nations which affect unequally men and women. This last volume was prepared under the auspices of the different National Councils by the Standing Committee on the Legal Position of Women.

Before the war the International Council asked all the different National Councils to devote a large share of their attention to questions concerning children, with the view to having a conference on such questions at the next meeting of the International Council. That meeting may seem to be a long way off at the present time and it seems evident that the gathering which was convened to take place in Norway in 1919 can scarcely now be held, as it takes fully a year to make all the arrangements necessary to bring together so representative a body of women from the ends of the earth, more especially as every subject which is to be discussed at an International meeting must first be brought before each National Council.

But although the International Council must of necessity be inactive at the present time as a result of its rule that no “political or religious questions of a controversial character affecting the inter-relationship of two or more countries” can be discussed, yet many of the National Councils are finding the union which has been effected between all the different National Societies of women through their means, has been most effective in promoting national service during these years of great emergency.

At the beginning of the War, this union enabled National Councils to be of great assistance both to the Societies and to the individuals composing them who desired to offer themselves for national service, and no one who has watched the extraordinary development of women's service during the war, can doubt that the need and the opportunity for such organizations as these National 07872Councils will be even more felt after the war, when it will be necessary to pick up of all the threads of the various kinds of activity in which women have been engaged and to link them together so that none of the advantages which have come from the co-operation and devotion called out in time of war, shall be lost in these great days of the world's reconstruction for which we already are called upon to prepare.

The National Council of the United States, the eldest daughter of the International Council, bids fair to take a leading part in these days of re-organization of which we dream, for Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, the Chairman of the Central Women's National Committee of Defense, has always been a leading member of the International Council, and Mrs. Philip North Moore, who is secretary of the Women's National Defense Committee, is now president of the U. S. A. National Council of Women. Both these ladies and many others associated with them, are aware of the great potentiality of the International Council of Women, and how admirably it is fitted to link together all the wonderful new patriotic organizations of women which have sprung up during the war, with the older associations, so that both may combine to make use of the experience gained by war service for the good of humanity. The confidence which is now placed in women and their ability to make good in times of emergency in all parts of the world, will prove a great asset in carrying out further plans, and it will be of the utmost importance that this confidence should not be disipated by any disunion amongst different sections of women voters and as might arise when the pressure of war responsibility is removed.

Hence if the various National Councils and the International Council of Women can live up to the standard set by their own constitution, and while respecting the complete organic unity, independence and method of each federated association, can bring all in touch with one another and permeate all with a common enthusiasm for the great causes which must be carried to victory if the Golden Rule is to reign supreme, it will mean the organization of a great spiritual force for the redemption of the world.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES AS REVISED DECEMBER 10, 1917 PREAMBLE

We, the women of the United States, sincerely believing that the best good of humanity will be advanced by our greater unity of thought, sympathy and purpose, and that an organized movement of women will best conserve the highest good of the family and of the state, do hereby unite ourselves in a Federation of Workers, to further the application of the Golden Rule to society, custom and law.

ARTICLE I. Name.

This organization shall be called THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES.

ARTICLE II. Objects.

ARTICLE III. General Policy.

BY-LAWS ARTICLE I. Membership and Dues.

The organization shall be composed of all national organizations of women approved by the Executive Committee and such others as may be admitted as follows:

Sec. 1. There shall be a Committee of Admission consisting of three members, no two of whom shall belong to the same organization, to whom shall be referred all applications for membership in the National Council of Women of the United States. Such application shall be sent to the Corresponding Secretary, accompanied by the constitution of the association applying for membership, and its last printed report, together with a certified list of membership. The fee for the year shall accompany the application for admission. The Committee on Admission shall act upon all such applications and report their action to the Executive Committee, which alone shall have definite power on the admission of any organization to the Council.

ARTICLE II.

ARTICLE III. Officers.

Sec. 1. The officers shall be a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer and an Auditor, who shall be elected at the Biennial session to serve for two years or until their successors have been elected as qualified.

ARTICLE IV. Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V.

Sec. 1. Each National organization may be represented by the President or a proxy appointed by the President and four delegates. A State or Local Council may be represented by the President and one delegate.

The voting body shall consist of these delegates, the general officers and the Chairman of the Standing Committees.

ARTICLE VI. Nominations and Elections.

ARTICLE VII. Duties of Officers.

ARTICLE VIII. Committees.

ARTICLE IX. Parliamentary Authority.

The rules contained in Roberts’ rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the Council in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws.

ARTICLE X.

These by-laws may be amended at any Biennial meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, notice having been sent to the organization at least thirty days before the meeting.

Approved by the Board of Directors May 11, 1917.

DR. EMMA E. BOWER, Chairman, MRS. N. E. HARRIS, MISS ROSAMOND K. BENDER.

SPEAKERS AT THE COUNCIL