nted 36 States out of
the 45 in which the association had auxiliaries, it might be
considered as expressing an almost nation-wide conviction among the
members of the association. On February 24 the conference issued the
following Note:

"To the President and Government of the United States:

"We devoutly hope and pray that our country's crisis may be
passed without recourse to war. We declare our belief that the
settlement of international difficulties by bloodshed is unworthy
of the 20th Century, and also our confidence that our Government
is using every honorable means to avoid conflict. If, however,
our nation is drawn into the maelstrom, we stand ready to serve
our country with the zeal and consecration which should ever
characterize those who cherish high ideals of the duty and
obligation of citizenship. With no intention of laying aside our
constructive forward work to secure the vote for the womanhood of
this country as 'the right protective of all other rights,' we
offer our services in the event that they should be needed, and,
in so far as we are authorized, we pledge the loyal support of
our more than two million members. We make this offer now in
order to avoid waste of time and effort in an emergency; also,
that the executive ability, industry and devotion of our women,
trained through years of arduous endeavor, may be utilized, with
all other national resources, for the protection of our country
in its time of stress. We propose that a National Committee be
formed at once, composed of a representative from each national
organization of women willing to aid in war work, if the need
arises. The object shall be to establish a clearing house between
the Government and those organizations in order that service may
be rendered in the most expeditious manner. With this end in view
we recommend that each component organization list its resources
and report to this central committee concerning the definite work
it is prepared to do. To further the practical application of
this suggestion our association declares its willingness to
undertake the following departments of work:

"I. The Establishing of Employment Bureaus for Women.--Through
its local, State and national headquarters to register the names
and qualifications of women available for occupat