USA > Wisconsin > Racine County > Racine county in the world war > Part 7
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Non-War Construction-F. Lee Norton, Her- bert F. Johnson and James V. Rohan. Its duty was to carry out the order of the War Indus- tries board to reduce non-essential building to a minimum that men and materials might be used for war work. As a result, construction work of an unnecessary nature almost entirely ceased until after the armistice. It was con- sidered unpatriotic to make repairs that could be postponed. As in other movements of the kind, the public took pride in living up to every suggestion of the committee.
There were also numerous committees named for temporary work in connection with the gathering of information of all sorts for the state and national Councils. There was even a committee appointed which successfully car- ried out its purpose of encouraging community singing of patriotic airs.
The Council secured a list of enemy owned property in the county; took the initiative in seeking a law providing for the arrest of per- sons circulating propaganda which might hind- er the successful prosecution of the war; co- operated in a rigid enforcement of vagrancy laws to stamp out idleness; kept a record of men in service; presented a huge Service Flag to the county; arranged patriotic parades on Memorial day, 1917 and April 13, 1918, the largest ever held in the county; collected cloth- ing for the destitute people of France; distri- buted posters; assisted in arranging housing for employes of the government (Dupont) high explosive plant; assisted in organizing the Home Guards; enrolled 400 men for the Ship- building hoard; supervised solicitation of funds, and discouraged all campaigns not approved by the state council; collected maps and pic- tures of localities in western Germany for use of the army; secured donations of field glasses for the navy; aided in the elimination of weeds and insects injurious to crops; took up the "soldiers' pal" movement, to insure that all soldiers had correspondence from home people; and assisted in the Americanization of foreign- ers.
Early in 1919 it was decided to take definite steps to insure the collection and preservation
of facts and records which would show Racine county's part in the war. A general commit- tee was named, consisting of E. W. Leach, chairman; F. R. Starbuck, George W. Waller. Mrs. W. G. Rasch, W. S. Goodland and J. Z. Collier. Localities were represented on a sub- committee which included Henry Caley, A. S. Titus, T. H. Skewes, W. J. Hansche, Robert Nugent, George Ela, Albert Hanson, F. B. Renak, Jr., John D. Jones, Jr., Matt Lavin, L. C. Christenson and Clarence Beaumont. Mr. Leach took active charge of the work. He obtained a room in the public library for the collection of data and within ten months had almost completed the labor of listing all men and women in service, collecting photo- graphs and indexing newspaper files so that it will be simple for future seekers of knowledge to obtain the data and information which they seek. The results of his labors will be per- manent property of the county and will be of great value as the years pass. He has filed for reference a mass of interesting facts which would provide material for a dozen volumes the size of this.
One of the interesting activities of the Coun- cil of Defense was in connection with the sup- pression of all pro-German talk. Information coming to the Council in April, 1918, of the meetings of the Staats verbund here, a com- mittee was appointed to investigate. As a re- sult of the disclosures regarding the society, the Council advised it to disband, which it did. The funds in the treasury was used to purchase Liberty bonds.
In September there was complaint from Bur- lington that the Schwaebsden Saengerbund of Chicago had been having a three day "session" at Burlington, talking entirely in German and singing German songs. Burlington men who had attended the parties said the songs were merely drinking songs. As there was no wit- ness handy who could testify that the songs were German patriotic melodies, the matter was dropped.
During the Fourth Liberty loan drive re- ports came in regarding disloyal talk at Water- ford, and a visit was paid there by representa- tives of the Council to warn certain German- Americans that they had better exercise more discretion.
About the same time it was discovered that slips of paper containing poems in the German language were being circulated in Burlington. Investigation disclosed that they were the work of an old man entering his "second childhood" and the poems when translated had little or no meaning.
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RE-PHOTOS BY HOOD
Top Row-Theo. E. Beach, C. K. (Bud) Carey, C. J. Griese, H. J. MeKinsey, Alfred Noll, James Milner. Second-O. E. Seaholm, E. J. Kate, F. T. Hueller, Mathew Milkie, Fred Hansen, Nicholas Schroeder. Third-Wm. P. Pooch, J. 1. Chour, J. J. Meyer, Andrew Wojcik, Wm. J. Swoboda, B. I. Middleton. Fourth-Roy L. Johnson, John J. Johnson, Louis Swoboda, Jack H. Swan, Walter Sharpinski, Reinholdt Forwark. Fifth-C. P. Christensen, Edward Zika, Harry James, Herb. Felgenhauer, L. C. Alleman, Anton Fedders. Bottom-R. J. LaFortune, L. W. Powless, Andrew Pallesen, Nick Venetos, Roscoe Guilbert, Harry Wagner.
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As an example of the things which frequently came up in Council meetings, there might be cited the case of Miss Johnson's haylot. It seems that Miss Anna Johnson owned 40 acres in Mt. Pleasant, and the hay was not cut on it. Neighbors wanted to know why, and the usual rumors ran their course. Inquiry devel- oped that she had had some trouble with the man who usually bought the hay, and as he wouldn't carry out his alleged agreement she had decided to let the field remain uncut. She finally told the Council it could have it cut and use the proceeds as it wished. By that time the hay was too old for use, and the matter ended with an agreement that the next season would see the field used for adding to the food or forage supply of the nation.
Another tempest in a teapot arose over a petition from people in the town of Raymond that L. C. Christensen, a member of the board, be asked to resign. In an effort to find out what was the matter, a committee was sent there to conduct a hearing and a large number of farmers appeared as witnesses. It appear- ed that Mr. Christensen had aroused criticism by his efforts to have the rules of the Council strictly enforced. The report of the board completely exonerated him. When the town board refused to appropriate money to carry on the work, the Council of Defense decided to pay all necessary expenses of the local branch.
The County Council of Defense disbanded on August 28, 1919, after a remarkable record of service and usefulness. The last business was the turning back to the city and county the bal- ance of the funds on hand, and passing resolu-
tions thanking Chairman F. Lee Norton for his conscientious labor in behalf of the Council. In responding Mr. Norton expressed his appre- ciation of the cooperation of the Council mem- bers in performing their arduous and often thankless tasks.
"I know why you have done it," he concluded, "and you each know why. You sacrificed your time and your business that you might aid this community in doing its full share in support- ing our nation in carrying on the war to a successful conclusion. Racine county has made an enviable record through the work of the Council of Defense. Not only you gentlemen, but practically every citizen of the county has done his share. I think we are all entitled to feel well pleased at what was accomplished."
During the year and a half of its existence, the County Council of Defense had a total of $14,726.60 at its disposal, $9,000 coming from the county treasury and $4,852.70 from the city. The balance was the proceeds from en- tertainments, interest on bank deposits and sale of vegetables. When the Council dis- banded it had money on hand, and returned it to the principal sources from which it came, $880.16 to the county and $474.56 to the city.
Most of the money spent was for advertising and printing; decorations; general office ex- penses and hall rental. The Minnesota fire suf- ferers were given $1500; the collection and filing of war history material cost $2,641, and there was expense of about $2,600 in connection with the Liberty Bond campaigns for advertising and luncheons for workers.
CHAPTER XI
WOMEN'S COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
A BOUT the middle of April, 1917, Mrs. F. R. Pettit obtained authority to or- ganize in Racine a branch of the Na- tional League for Women's service. She called a meeting of women at the public library April 26, 1917, and this group endorsed the plan and immediately elected officers, as follows: Chair- man, Mrs. F. R. Pettit; vice-chairman, Mrs. E. P. Kastler; Mrs. Martin Clancy and Mrs. D. H. Flett; Recording secretary, Mrs. John W. Owen; corresponding secretary, Miss Katharine Lewis; treasurer, Mrs. Paul Ostergaard; com- mittee chairman, Registration, Mrs. John W. Owen; Social and Welfare, Mrs. E. P. Kastler; Red Cross Co-operation, Mrs. Emil Podlesak; Food Conservation, Mrs. J. Welfl; Motor Serv- ice, Mrs. James W. Gilson.
This was the beginning of an organization which eventually developed into the Women's Committee of the County Council of Defense, and as such became officially responsible for the organizing of the women of the county for whatever work might be required outside of the Red Cross, and for cooperation with all branches of the government during the war. Like most war-time associations, this one went through a period when a good deal of its en- ergy was exerted in trying to find out what was wanted of it; this being followed by strenuous efforts to keep up with all the tasks assigned to it, and then a reorganization and decentral- ization plan was adopted which enabled it to fulfill every requirement at about the time the first year of the war came to an end.
The promoters of the plan realized at once that they could accomplish nothing without the support of the women of the community, and they first set ont to ask the women's clubs to assist, and also to register as many individuals as possible who would signify their willingness to cooperate.
Office rooms were obtained through the gen- erosity of I. Friedman, and Miss May Burgess was appointed chairman of the office adminis- tration division. In May, note was made of
the fact that the County Council of Defense was willing to assist in meeting expenses of organization, and considerable advertising was done. There was a plan made to have a series of "mass meetings to inform women of the necessity for activity in war work," but this was called off at the suggestion of the National Council. It is doubtful whether it was neces- sary. The women merely wanted to know what to do. Attention was then centered upon the big Patriotic parade to be held on May 29, and which was one of the big affairs of the year. Nearly ten thousand men and women took part in it.
The Central Council of Women, composed of representatives of various clubs, discontinued its meetings and the clubs and societies gradu- ally turned to the League for leadership in war work outside of the Red Cross activities. Sev- eral committees were added, including: Home Economics, Mrs. E. J. Stormer, chairman; Com- forts Committee, Mrs. Ella Lewis; Ward Or- ganization, Mrs. S. L. Phippen; War Orphans, Mrs. Stuart Webster; Baby Welfare, Mrs. John Reid, Jr.
Funds were raised to provide for many orphaned French children, and yarn was pro- vided for women desiring to knit sweaters, etc., for men in service. On July 2 silken guidons were presented to Battery C and Battery F, prior to their leaving for mobilization camp.
In July Mrs. Pettit resigned as chairman, and Council of Defense selected Mrs. John W. Owen to succeed her as presiding officer of the League and as member of the County Coun- cil of Defense. Mrs. Stuart Webster was chosen secretary.
A committee consisting of Mrs. John Reid, Jr., Mrs. Harry Mann and Miss Lydia Fuller was appointed in July to arrange for dances and other entertainment for enlisted men visit- ing Racine. One was held in September as an experiment, and later on they became regu- lar events. The boys from the Great Lakes
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Naval Training station came in large numbers to attend these affairs.
Word was received in August that the boxes of clothing collected for French war sufferers had been lost at sea when a freighter was tor- pedoed.
Following the request of the National Coun- cil of Defense the league changed its name to the Women's Committee of the County Council of Defense in November, and became an in- tegral part of that organization in name as well as in fact. By this time the work of the various departments had become somewhat systematized and through the ward organiza- tions assistance was rendered to the Red Cross work and public movements such as the Liberty Loan and Savings Stamp drives. Strict at- tention to duty was required of members of the executive board and several were dropped be- cause of failure to attend meetings without sending satisfactory excuses. Among the new members added were: Mrs. Fred Osius, Mrs. Merrell, Mary L. Thomas, Mrs. B. E. Nelson, Miss Helen King, Mrs. E. E. Lewis, Mrs. I. B. Grant and Miss Helen Gorton.
Much attention was given to the truly femi- nine problems of cookery and food conserva- tion. War recipes were prepared and distri- buted, canning was encouraged and various de- vices found and put into effect for effecting economies in the kitchen. While each family's share in this work was small, it resulted in the saving of millions of tons of food in America during the war and was a great factor in keep- ing all the Allied peoples and armies in com- parative comfort.
On March 6, 1918, Mrs. John W. Owen re- signed as chairman and was succeeded by Mrs. Stuart Webster. As some minor difficulties and friction had developed hy this time, as was natural in such a large organization with such a multiplicity of objects, it was decided that all committee chairmen should resign, and leave the new chairman free to entirely re- organize the Women's Committee. Mrs. Owen remained as an active member of the commit- tee and did remarkable work as organizer of the county women in the Liberty Loan drives.
One of the innovations soon established was the "Thrift shop," a store where people could donate cast-off articles of all sorts, and have them sold for the benefit of the war work.
The report of Mrs. Webster, on October 1, 1918 six weeks before the close of the war, indicated the scope of the tasks accomplished. The committee was divided into nine major di- visions under a chairman, and the following shows the lines of work followed:
Division 1. Ward Organization .- A general chairman was named in each ward, and she had as assistants eight department chairmen to carry out the work planned by the chairmen of the corresponding division of the Women's Committee. The ward chairman was respon- sible to the Women's Committee executive board for all the work done in her ward. The ward chairmen met each week with the execu- tive committee. One thousand women were active workers in these organizations. The ward chairmen and one member in each ward acted as sugar deputies to enforce food ad- ministration regulations.
Division 2. Social Service. - This depart- ment studied the problems of health and re- creation for girls in the community, and pro- vided dancing parties and other clean enter- tainment for visiting sailors from the training station. It worked in harmony with the War Camp Community service.
Division 3. Soldiers and Sailors Canteen .- Mrs. Paul Ostergaard had offered her home on College Avenue as a canteen in 1917, and the committee helped her to make it a real home for visiting service men, to whom "Mother" Ostergaard greatly endeared herself. Thous- ands of meals were served there in addition to the free distribution of lunches, cigarettes, etc. The Patriots fund and many citizens contri- buted directly to this work.
Division 4. Thrift Shop .- This was con- ducted at 804 Villa Street by Mrs. J. G. Wil- liams. It showed a profit of more than $1000, part of which went to the Social Service com- mittee.
Division 5. Home Economics .- Every effort was made to teach housewives the value and best uses of wheat substitutes, and to do all possible to conserve the nation's food supply. It urged the reduced use of sugar in baking and canning and various displays, lectures and meetings were held throughout the county in the interest of the movement. Mrs D. E. Cal- lender arranged with sixty-two merchants to have potato exhibits in their windows in one week and a great increase in the sales of this food was the result. A corresponding reduc- tion in the demand for breads resulted, the city bakers reported. Miss Helen Gorton arranged to have ministers preach on the merits of the potato as food. More than 19,000 women were supplied with literature regarding war cookery. About 200 women devoted many hours each week to the work of "winning the war through food."
Division 6. Liberty Loan and Speakers Bureau .- Hundreds of thousands of dollars
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PHOTO BY WRIGHT
THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF THE SECOND DRAFT TO LEAVE RACINE
The photograph was taken in the fog of early morning just before the boys left for the train. It is a typical draft group. Some of the men's suitcases and bags are apparent on the gruund and in hand. Each man is tagged to his destination, the tag being attached to the left hand lapel. Most of the men wore eaps, in which they could sleep comfortably on trains, and wool shirts and sweaters were popular articles of apparel. At the front the man with the flag is seen. The flag was corried by every departing draft contingent, and when possible a band was furnished to make the occasion an inspiring one.
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were raised by this department in the drives, as will be shown in subsequent pages. Women speakers made dozens of addresses regarding war work throughout the county.
Division 7. Child Welfare .- A census of children was taken and 90 percent of them were weighed and measured, 10 percent being examined by physicians and nurses. Classes were established for mothers and newspapers, moving pictures and other agencies were utilized to interest people in child welfare as one of the big war time problems.
Division 8. Motor Corps. - Twenty-one girls, fifteen of them driving their own cars, enrolled and were put in active service with distinctive uniforms provided. They took a course in automobile mechanics. They were at all times ready to answer calls from County Council of Defense, Red Cross, Home Service department or the secret service. They ren- dered most excellent service and devoted many hours daily to their arduous tasks.
Division 9. Cooperation With Red Cross .- Through the co-operation of ward chairmen, this department provided the Red Cross with several hundred sweaters, socks, wristlets and knit helmets for the army and navy.
In addition to these sustained departments, the members did publicity and war propaganda work for all phases of government work.
On October 6, 1918, Mrs. Webster resigned as chairman on account of leaving the city, and Mrs. Robert S. Preble was chosen to carry on the work. Mrs. Webster was made honorary chairman in recognition of her excellent serv- ice. Mrs. Preble proved to be a very capable and tactful executive.
Owing to the ban on public meetings during the epidemic of Spanish influenza, little work could be done in the following month except- ing relief work for the victims of the epidemic. The canteen was utilized to provide soup for sufferers and the motor corps rendered splendid assistance during the crisis. Clothing and bed- ding was gathered to aid sufferers in emer- gencies. A girls, bicycle corps was also or- ganized for messenger service. The announce- ment of the armistice found the Women's Com- mittee prepared to meet any demands that might be made upon it. It had already accom- plished great things in assisting every phase of civilian war work.
The following roster gives an idea of the size and strength of the organization. Owing to occasional resignations, etc., no such list can be completely accurate, but it shows the ac- tive workers at a period shortly before the
close of the committee's labors, during the chairmanship of Mrs. Preble:
Board Members-Chairman, Mrs. R. S. Pre- ble, Mrs. E. P. Kastler, Mrs. Martin Clancy, Mrs. E. J. Stormer, Mrs. Prostrednik, Mrs. H. M. Wallis, Mrs. F. R. Pettit, Mrs. W. T. Walker, Mrs. H. G. Mitchell, Mrs. Stuart Webs- ter, Mrs. Paul Ostergaard, Mrs. J. G. Chandler, Mrs. Wm. H. Crosby, Mrs. J. B. Simmons, Mrs. John Reid, Jr., Mrs. J. F. Clancy, Mrs. O. W. Johnson, Mrs. M. M. Barnard, Mrs. H. E. Mer- rell, Mrs. B. E. Nelson, Miss Mary Thomas, Mrs. E. L. King, Mrs. John W. Owen, Miss Helen Gorton, Miss Arminda Wood, Miss Dorothy Kastler, Miss Stella Blake, Miss Mae Burgess, Mrs. S. L. Phippin, Mrs. F. W. Merri- man, Mrs. W. F. McCaughey, Mrs. N. C. Nel- son, Mrs. B. Talbot Rogers, Mrs. T. F. Powers, Mrs. Wm. Harvey, Jr., Mrs. E. W. Rapps, Miss Sarah Morrison, Mrs. Harry Mann, Dr. Susan Jones, Mrs. Wallace MacGregor, Mrs. H. F. Foster, Mrs. Fred Osius, Mrs. G. B. Wilson, Miss Hannum, Miss Kate Mehder, Miss Kate Shields, and Mrs. Fannie Botsford; Miss Flor- ence Apple, of Franksville; Mrs. Gittings, Mrs. O. P. Graham, Mrs. R. W. MeCracken, of Union Grove; Miss Edith Thomas, of Caledonia; Mrs. Louise Smader, Mrs. Thomas Kearney, Jr., Mrs. F. L. Pierce Mrs. John Lutz, Mrs. W. S. Dooley, Miss Millie Le Prevost, Mrs. Frank Wtipil, Mrs. Millard S. Edmonds, Mrs. M. J. Goepfert, Mrs. D. Raffone, Miss Elizabeth Git- tings, Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich, Mrs. A. J. Eisen- hut, Mrs. J. Hanson, Mrs. J. O. Tobias, Miss Dorcas Miller, Mrs. Helen Van Arsdale Bebb, Mrs. J. G. Williams, Miss Martha Shelp, Mrs. W. C. Harvey, Mrs. Harriet Harvey, Mrs. Clin- ton Skewes, Mrs. John Dwight.
The executive committee was composed of the following division chairmen:
Social Service-Mrs. E. P. Kastler.
Health and Recreation-Miss Geneva Bower. Canteen-Mrs. Paul Ostergaard.
Thrift Shop-Mrs. Jack Williams. Juvenile Protection-Miss Kate Mehder.
Home Economics-Mrs. Elsie Stormer. Child Welfare-Mrs. Willard Walker. Ward Organization-Miss Mae Burgess. Co-operating-Mrs. Jos. Prostrednik. Publicity-Mrs. David Griswold.
Speakers Bureau-Mrs. E. E. Herrick. Motor Corps-Mrs. Helen Bebb.
Women in Industry-Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich. Bureau of Information-Miss Hazel Buck.
Ward Chairmen-General chairman, Miss Mae Burgess; First Ward, Mrs. Louise Smader; Second Ward, Mrs. Thomas Kearney; Third Ward, South Precinct, Mrs. F. H. Foster, North
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WOMEN WHO SERVED BY DRIVING MOTORS UNDER RED CROSS DIRECTION
All during the war the business of the County Council, A. P. L, Liberty Loan committees, Red Cross and Women's commmittees which required transportation facilities, was greatly aided by the Red Cross Women's Motor Corps. The service was voluntary and highly efficient. Cars were available for business and for transportation of draft men to stations, for soldiers and sailors home on leave, etc. A portion of the Corps was photographed. In the picture are shown, from left to right:
Upper Row-Mrs. Margaret L. Nelson, first lieutenant : Miss Erabelle M. Ingersoll, Mrs. W. H. Reed. captain; Mrs. Mabel Brandies, Miss Florence Jelliffe, Mrs. Opal J. Gist. Margaret Fergus, Sarah Jelliffe, Tillie E. Thorkelson, Mrs. Walker Brown, Elizabeth R. Fratt, Mabel E. Logan, Catherine L. Mack, and Clara Driver, first lieutenant.
Lower Row-Mrs. Blanche Secor Wrixton, Margaret Cosgrove. Camilla Bennett, Mrs. Bernice Sherman, Mrs. Addie Y. Freeman, Mrs. Amanda Case Crooks. Esther Holm, Lilly W. Peterson, Carrie Rapps, adjutant : Beulah McCaughey, Nina F. Huie and Amelia Smieding.
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Precinct, Mrs. L. F. Pierce; Fourth Ward, Mrs. Joseph Prostrednik; Fifth Ward, Mrs. John Lutz; Sixth Ward, Miss Millie Le Prevost; Seventh Ward, Mrs. Frank Wtipil; Eighth Ward, Mrs. M. S. Edmonds; Ninth Ward, Mrs. M. Goepfert; Tenth Ward, Miss Elizabeth Git- tings; Eleventh Ward, Mrs. Arthur Ehrlich; Twelfth Ward, Mrs. August Eisenhut; Thir- teenth Ward Mrs. Eben Burroughs; Fourteenth Ward, Mrs. Thomas Powers; Fifteenth Ward, Mrs. J. Hanson.
Home Economics Committee - Mrs. E. J. Stormer, Mrs. Fred B. Stafford, Mrs. Taylor Jelliff, Mrs. John F. Hyde, Jr., Mrs. H. E. Breckenridge, Mrs. H. J. Cadwell, Mrs. Jens Jensen, Mrs. Whalen, Mrs. Frank Wtipil, Mrs. Jude, Mrs. John Erlands, Mrs. Wm. F. Kaiser, Miss Nan Gorton, Mrs. Frank Kammerer, Mrs. John Overson, Mrs. Eben Burroughs, Mrs. John Pugh, Jr., Mrs. Fachko, Mrs. J. O. Tobias.
Sugar Deputies - First Ward, Mrs. Louise Smader, Mrs. Fred B. Stafford.
Second Ward-Mrs. T. M. Kearney, Jr., Mrs. Taylor Jelliffe, Mrs. John F. Hyde, Jr.
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