Reconstruction program

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RECONSTRUCTION
PROGRAM

GIFT

MAY 25 19271

Women's Committee

of the

State Council of Defense

of

California

Headquarters

719 South Hill Street

Los Angeles

Deceinber,|1918

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF
DEFENSE OF CALIFORNIA

SUGGESTIONS FOR RECONSTRUCTION

The Women's Committee of the State Council of Defense of
California was organized at the direction of the National Govern-
ment, in order that machinery might be provided to convey to the
women of the State instructions and messages from Federal Agen-
cies, indicating the manner in which the women of the State could
help the Government in the crisis created by the war. In addition
to this machinery for special campaigns, the Women's Committee
has dealt constantly with social welfare problems intensified by the
war.

As the work has gone on from day to day, carried out by the
various Departments under which the Committee's work was pro-
grammed at Washington, the Committee have come to certain con-
clusions about the problems which confront the State of California,
as definitely and distinctly in times of peace as in time of war.

It has been possible, through these various departments, to
carry on education throughout the State with regard to these prob-
lems and it is hoped that, in making plans for reconstruction, the
suggestions embodied here, formulated after the study of a year and
a half of conditions in California, may be included.

The Committee offers them, believing that they are constructive
for all time and are in line with the progressive development and
permanent welfare of the State.

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

Industrial conditions in California were not so disturbed as in
some other States during the war period, and it was not necessary to
call into unusual occupations as many women as the war industries
demanded in other localities. However, there have been women fill-
ing men's places in industrial, commercial and professional positions.
There has been a demand that these women should be required to
retire from these positions, leaving them free for the returning
soldiers.

1. Wherever women are retained in the positions they now
hold, the Women's Committee of the State Council of
Defense of California believes that if they can fill the posi-
tions satisfactorily, they should be given a similar wage to
that which a man would receive in the same position, thus
safeguarding industry against unfair competition by under-
bidding.

2. The Eight-hour law should be rigidly enforced :

3. There should be an extension of the minimum wage to em-

brace all classes of women in industry and a sufficient
number of inspectors employed to enforce the law.

In all consisderations of women in industry, they must be con-
sidered as part of a conservation program, for they are the mothers
of future citizens and on their health and welfare depend the future
strength of the State.

In order to safeguard the conditions for women, we urge that :

1. A woman be appointed to the State Labor Bureau.

2. A more equitable distribution of the employees of the Labor

Bureau in its service throughout the State.

3. A woman be named as Assistant-Director of Women's work

on the United States Employment Service, according to
Federal provision.

CHILD WELFARE

The necessity for consideration of "Child Welfare" has been
amply demonstrated during the period of the war, by the large num-
ber of men who were rejected for military service because of physical
defects, most of which could have been remedied in childhood. The
Program of "The Children's Year" Committee has made possible
the education of large numbers of people throughout the State in
this subject.

The work of "The Children's Year" Committee should be con-
tinued and made permanent by:

1. A well-equipped Child Hygiene Bureau under the State

Board of Health.

2. Public Health Nurses established in every County of the

State.

3. The establishment of Children's Health Centers where the

weighing and measuring of children, the guidance of their
diet, and advice to the mothers can be carried on steadily
and permanently throughout the year.

4. Under the University of California there should be a College

of "Home Economics" to give education and training in
home-making and the care of children. There should also
be complete courses for teachers in order to furnish prac-
tical teaching for the Public Schools. These courses should
include training in hygienic living and diet as well as
thrift and economy in household matters ; education for
motherhood should be provided by extension courses and
lectures.

Child Labor:

1. An earnest effort should be made to take out of labor and
industry, the children who, on account of war conditions,

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have gone into work. These children should be returned
to their schools to complete their education and training,
in order that they may take a better place in the world.
This would release their jobs for adult workers.
Legislation regarding raising the age of children in street
trades should be passed. At present, the children in Cali-
fornia may enter into street trades at the age of 10. This
age should be raised to 14, and no child should be allowed
to sell papers, or other merchandise, on the streets, with-
out a license and badge from the School Department. This
is done in the State and City of New York and could be
done in California.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Tuberculosis :

There should be :

1. Increased provision made for taking care of tuberculosis,
not only among the returning soldiers, but in the civil
population of California. The epidemic of Influenza,
with its accompanying pneumonia, will, undoubtedly, be
productive of many cases of tuberculosis, which, added to-
the already large number in California, is bound seriously
to affect the prosperity and welfare of the State. Every
County should have free provision for the care of the
tubercular, if the disease is to be controlled and finally
eradicated from this State.)

Under the State Board of Health:
There should be :

1. A Bureau for venereal diseases which would be a continua-

tion of the work of the Military Welfare Commission
which has been in existence during the period of the war,
as a part of a National policy. Probably every effort will
be made by commercialized vice to restore red light dis-
tricts and wide-open vice conditions.

2. Free clinics for education and treatment.

3. Supervision of men and women suffering from these social

diseases, to continue the work which has been begun dur-
ing the war period.

EDUCATION

The Federal Board of Vocational Education proposes to rehab-
iUtate the men injured in the war. As a reflex and a side issue of
such education, it would be beneficial to the State of California if
those injured in industry (which number annually far exceeds the
number of injured soldiers), could also be given an opportunity to

4

learn a trade or occupation to take the place of the one to which
they cannot return after accident.

1. Normal and Technical Schools, also a large number of High

Schools and Junior Colleges, should be prepared to furnish
education for returning soldiers who have previously had
no skilled occupation, in order that they may become effi-
cient in a trade or profession to improve their prospects.

2. Agricultural education in High and Normal Schools and

Colleges should be developed and freely afforded to re-
turning soldiers. In the event of the development of idle
lands, they cannot be used to their full extent for the bene-
fit of the soldiers unless these men have some understand-
ing of scientific cultivation of land.

3. There should be compulsory education of illiterates, both

children and adults.

4. Home and School Gardens should be maintained and en-

couraged.

5. Young people under 21 should be registered that they may

be located and their educational status ascertained. (There
is no census of the school population of the State.)

6. Provision should be made by which the child who takes out

a permit to work under the age for which the school
authorities are legally responsible for him, could be fol-
lowed up. There is now no adequate provision for keeping
in touch with a child who has been granted a work permit
and knowing his physical and mental progress from that
time on, no follow-up work and no advice from educational
authorities.

7. A re-organization of the educational curriculum should be

made in order that the training the children receive in the
schools may be more practical.

8. Both boys and girls should be equipped and trained for some

skilled occupation. A Pre-nursing course, covering the
scientific study which would lead to six months' credit in
accredited schools of Nursing, is recommended, to be added
to the High School curriculum, wherever possible.

9. Vocational education should be developed to the full extent

under the Smith-Lever and Smith-Hughes Laws, for the
benefit of both girls and boys.

10. The development of Continuation Schools should be hastened

during the reconstruction period, for the children and
youths who cannot return to School : these should be pro-
vided in a way to afiford real educational advancement.
Legislation is needed to push the further development of
Continuation and part-time schools.

11. There should be a systematic education in patriotic citizen-

ship, in American history and in American institutions and
ideals.

B

Ways and means should be devised to continue the community
interest and community service which has been developed during-
the war by the Nation's problems. One of the methods which is
receiving increasing recognition is that of Community Singing. The
power of song to encourage and cheer the boys has been recognized :
it can perform the same mission for the whole people if properly
organized and directed. The time calls for Community Choruses and
some way should be devised to organize them throughout the State.

AMERICANIZATION

We are deeply interested in Americanization and recommend as
basic to the assimilation of the immigrant now here and to come :

First :

a. Opportunity to settle on the land with proper State assist-

ance in choosing and securing that land, and with addi-
tional assistance from the County Farm Advisor in the
farming methods necessary in a new country.

b. Industrial justice in wages, hours and sanitary surroundings,

and safety conditions in shops and camps.

c. Proper housing.

Second :

Educational Opportunity:

a. In schools and libraries.

b. In shops, manufactories and camps.

c. In homes and neighborhood centers.

This educational opportunity should recognize the helplessness
of adults who do not know our language and prepare them for prac-
tical life. This will require a new educational scheme, new hours,
and above all, new and practical methods ; all of which requires
knowledge of the psychology of the immigrant.

Unless the basic recommendations (First, A. B. C), are met,
there will be failure in assimilation, as it is impossible to secure
loyalty and love of country in people who are social discontents.
No amount of English education will overcome un-American con-
ditions offered by employers. American standards in industry are
the swiftest possible Americanizers.

The Women's Committee is especially interested in the Ameri-
canization of the homes of California and for that reason recom-
mends that all possible effort be made to reach the foreign-speaking
women. , j •' '

a. In their homes by home teachers.

b. In groups in schools, clubs, libraries, neighborhood centers

for general education and by Community singing and
pageants.

6

SOCIAL AGENCIES
Dependent Children:

The law now permits the State to contribute to the support of
needy children to the amount of $6.25 per month for a child with one
parent living, and $8.33 for an orphan. The County may supplement
this by an equal amount. •

The majority of children being cared for by Counties of the
State are paid for at a maximum rate of $11.00.

So far as the so-called Mother's pension — State aid to children
in the care of their own mothers — is concerned, the State allowance
is inadequate. California is not being fair to her own needy little
children or to the institutions, agencies and homes engaged in their
care, and she will not be doing them justice until State and County
face their obligations and increase the allowance to at least $15.00
a month per child.

Institutional Care for Children:

There are many children in the State sadly in need of institu-
tional care, for whom no provision is made. We believe there should
be:

1. Preventoriums for children of tuberculous tendencies.

2. Colonies for the actively tuberculous.

3. Hospital schools for crippled children.

4. Homes for mentally defective and homes affording good care

for limited numbers of adolescents presenting special prob-
lems. Some of this work could be done by existing insti-
tutions.

5. Better-balanced diet in children's institutions. Through co-

operative buying by different children's institutions, econ-
omy could be effected which would make possible a better
and more generous diet for the children. There should not
be rigid economy and retrenchment in this direction. The
State of California is responsible for the children in insti-
tutions and it should appreciate its responsibility that these
children, at least, should be adequately fed.

6. Recreational equipment for institutions. There is. often in-

adequate space for play, with no apparatus and no direc-
tion. Play is a constructive force in the development of
children and it is especially necessary in the restricted life
of the institutional child.

The County is the logical unit for the consideration of local
social problems. We believe there should be in each County :

1. An unpaid County Welfare Department, employing paid,

trained workers to handle all public relief and welfare prob-
lems.

2. Under the County Welfare department, the development of

the boarding out system of standardized foster homes for
children in co-operation with Juvenile Courts and private
charities.

3. County clinics and dispensaries and out-patient work at

County Hospitals. Public Health Nurses are especially
needed in rural communities where there are no clinics, no
milk-stations and no School nurses.

4. State Agricultural and industrial institutions for the care of

misdemeanants.

5. A woman's reformatory.

6. Abolition of the system whereby SheriflFs are compensated

for providing food, clothing and bedding for County jail
prisoners.

7. Psychological clinics in court and education centers ; also

the establishment of a rural, psychological clinic which
could be of a travelling nature.

8. There should be a survey of the feeble-minded made by one

of the existing State agencies, to be followed by adequate
provision, both custodial and educational, for such num-
bers of the feeble-minded as the survey shows is necessary.
The Pacific Colony should be given a generous appropria-
tion by the coming Legislature in order that the institution
may be completed and prompt segregation be made of the
feeble-minded.

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

In response to the request contained in the first paragraph of
Governor Stephens' letter — viz. — for recommendations along the
lines of new constructive work in California, three suggestions have
been sent to this Committee from its various County Chairmen :

L The Iron Canyon Irrigation Project.

2. The impounding and conservation of the waters of the King's

River.

3. The Imperial irrigation plan.

All of these have had the sanction of the Federal Government

and are in line with the plan of Secretary Lane for reclaiming idle

lands for settlement by returned soldiers.

They would not only furnish employment to these men and

bring under cultivation thousands of acres — hitherto unused — but

would develop much hydro-electric power.
We recommend :

That the Land Settlement Board be empowered to investi-
gate the status of these projects and to suggest a plan whereby
the co-operation of the State and Federal Governments may be
used for their furtherance under public control.

Distribution of Food Products:

Increased food production brings the problem of its distribution.
The operations of the Food Administration have shown the possi-
bility of a National system of rapid and balanced distribution.

8

We recommend :

That a Committee be appointed to look into National and
State marketing systems in order to bring- about more direct
connection between producer and consumer.

Trade Relations:

We recommend :

That the Chambers of Commerce of the State be asked to
formulate a plan for educational propaganda as a basis for the
establishment of increased trade relations with Mexico, and a
friendly understandirig between that country and California.

CONCLUSION

In order to put through a program of social service such as is
here outlined, it will not be necessary to create new and expensive
machinery, as already there exist in this State agencies created ex-
pressly for such purposes : The State Board of Education : State
Board of Charities and Corrections : Industrial Welfare Commis-
sion : State Labor Bureau : State Board of Health : Commission of
Immigration and Housing and the University of California. The
achievements and potentialities of these are too little known. There
should be greater publicity given to their operations, and the citi-
zens of the State should learn to use them.

The Women's Committee appreciates that social work and
social problems have been given greater consideration during the
war than ever before in the history of the country. They know that
greater progress has been made in the consideration of these prob-
lems than could have been hoped for in fifty years in normal times.

This has been largely due to the fact that the putting through of
these measures of social reform has been on a "Win the War" basis.
— It has been possible because of the intensified community interest
aroused and because the Community has taken part where formerly
a few social workers were giving their minds and time to this effort
for the betterment of conditions.

The suggestions for reconstruction which are presented by the
Women's Committee cannot be carried out, and the ends at which
the suggestions aim accomplished, without community support and
community interest.

A few social workers, specializing in certain lines, cannot accom-
plish what we have here presented as necessary nor can these sug-
gestions be put into effect immediately. — They mean :

1st: Further education on the part of the public as to the need
for these soci"al, industrial and economic changes.

2nd : Education to convince the citizens that it is a part of
patriotic duty for them to share in the problems of
peace.

The Women's Committee asks the women in the organizations
who have co-operated to make the work of this Committee possible.

to make this program part of the continuing patriotic expression
of their organizations. It asks the un-organized women of the State
to join in this program and to help continue the soUdarity of patrio-
tic effort which has marked the war work of the California women.
We endorse the following from the reconstruction program of
the California Federation of Labor:

"We insist that there shall be no curtailment in the pro-
gressive and humanitarian work of our State Government. Cer-
tain reactionary forces, under the guise of economy, are right
now attempting to muddle and becloud this issue. But they
must not be permitted to make thrift and economy a slogan for
reaction."

It is evident that in order to carry out a program which will
endeavor to meet the needs of all the people, women should be placed
upon the various commissions and State agencies in sufficient num-
bers to deal effectively with matters of public policy.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Honorary Chairman .Mrs. Frank A. Gibson, Los Angeles.

Chairman Mrs. Herbert A. Cable, Los Angeles.

Vice-Chairman Mrs. Robert 0. Moody, San Francisco.

Vice-Chairman Mrs. J. F. Sartori, Los Angeles.

Vice-Chairman Mrs. Edward F. Glaser, San Francisco.

Vice-Chairman Mrs, F. T. Robson, San Francisco.

Vice-Chairman-at-large Mrs. Robt. J. Burdette, San Francisco.

Mrs. Shelley Tolhurst, Los Angeles.
Miss Ethel Moore, Oakland.

Secretary JVIrs. Seward A. Simons, Los Angeles.

Assistant Secretary JVIrs. Frances M. Carlton-Harmon, Los

Angeles.

Assistant Secretary JMiss Anne M. Mumford, Pasadena.

The Executive Committee also includes the following Department

Chairmen :

Americanization JVIrs. Frank A. Gibson, Los Angeles.

Food Administration and Regis-
tration JVIrs. Robt. J. Burdette, San Francisco.

Women in Industry Mrs. Katherine P. Edson, Los Angeles.

Children's Year .Dr. Adelaide Brown, San Francisco.

Maintenance of Existing Social

Agencies Mrs. Carrie P. Bryant, Los Angeles.

Health and Recreation Miss Julia George, San Francisco.

Educational Propaganda JVIrs. Mila Tupper Maynard, Los Angeles.

Liberty Loan Mrs. E. R. Brainerd, Los Angeles.

Red Cross ....; Mrs. A. L. McLeish, San Francisco.

Publicity JVIrs. Seward A. Simons, Los Angeles.

Information and Library Service. .Mrs. Frances M. Carlton-Harmon, Los

Angeles.

Girls' Patriotic Service JVIiss Harriet Robbins, Los Angeles.

Education JUrs. O. Shepard Barnum, Alhambra.

Home Economics Miss Charlotte Ebbetts.

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CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Alliance of Unitarian and other

Liberal Christian Women Mrs. L, N. Wyckoff, Berkeley.

Association of Collegiate Alumnae. .Mrs. F. C. Turner, Oakland.

Belgian Relief Committee Mrs. Willoughby Rodman, Los Angeles.

California Civic League Miss Marion Delaney, San Francisco.

California Federation of School

Women's Clubs Miss Margaret Burke, San Francisco.

California Fed. of Women's Clubs.Mrs. Herbert A. Cable, Los Angeles.

California Nurses' Association Mrs. Louis Groth, Santa Clara.

California State Federation of

Colored Women's Clubs Mrs. Hettie B. Tilghman, Oakland.

Campfire Girls Mrs. Esther Schneider, Berkeley.

Catholic Ladies' Aid Society Mrs. Jos. Gabriel Kearney, Alameda.

Congress of Mothers and Parent-
Teachers' Association Dr. Jessie Russell, Glendale.

Daughters of the Am. Revolution. .Mrs. C. C. Cottle, Los Angeles.

Daughters of the Confederacy Mrs. C. C. Clay, Oakland.

Home Economics Association Miss Gertrude D. Graham, Los Angeles.

International Federation of

Catholic Alumnae ....' Miss Mary Malloy, San Francisco.

Jewish Council of Women Mrs. M. C. Sloss, San Francisco.

Ladies of the Maccabees Miss Alice Church, Los Angeles.

National League for Women's

Service Mrs. Duncan McDuffie, San Francisco.

National Society of Daughters of

Founders and Patriots of

America Mrs. Helen Crittenden Irvine, Berkeley.

National Society U. S. Daughters

of 1812 Mrs. R. G. Rhodes, Los Angeles.

National Women's Trade Union

League Mrs. Frances Noel, Los Angeles.

Native Daughters of the Golden

West Mrs. Addie L. Mosher, Oakland.

Needlework Guild of America Mrs. E. Boyle Workman, Los Angeles.

Northern Women's Christian

Temperance Union Mrs. Sarah J. Dorr, San Francisco.

Pacific Coast Division of the

Federal Reserve Mrs. A. L. Baldwin, San Francisco.

Patriotic Mothers of Sons in

Service Mrs. Ralph Criswell, Los Angeles.

Southern Women's Christian

Temperance Union Mrs. Stella B. Irvine, Riverside.

State Fed. of Musical Clubs Mrs. Bessie Bartlett Frankel, Los Angeles.

State League of Nursing Edu-
cation Mrs. Mitchell, Los Angeles.

Woman's National Farm and

Garden Association Mrs. Myrtle Shepherd Francis, Ventura.

Woman's Relief Corps Mrs. Carrie L. Hoyt, Berkeley.

Woman's Auxiliary of the

Fraternal Brotherhood Mrs. H. V. Davis, Los Angeles.

Women's Legislative Council of

California Mrs. A. E. Carter, Oakland.

Young Ladies' Mutual Improve-
ment Association Miss Cora Hawley, Los Angeles.

Young Women's Christian Assn Mrs. Lawrence Draper, San Francisco.

11

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
County Chairman

Alameda Mrs. F. C. Turner, 1444 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Cal.

Alpine

Amador Mrs. M. E. Tucker, Sutter Creek, Cal.

Butte Mrs. W. O. March, 632 Fifth Street, Chico, Cal.

Calaveras Mrs. Alice Halley, San Andreas, Cal.

Colusa Mrs. C. O. Jordan, Box 663, Colusa, Cal.

Contra Costa Mrs. H. J. Curry, 1212 Escobar St., Martinez, Cal.

Del Norte Mrs. James McNulty, Crescent City, Cal.

El Dorado Mrs. L. J. Dormody, Placerville, Cal.

Fresno Mrs. E. A. Williams, 223 RoM^ell Bldg., Fresno, Cal.

Glenn Mrs. C. L. Donohoe, 138 Plumas St., Willows, Cal.

Humboldt Mrs. Eva Ricks, Eureka, Cal.

Imperial Mrs. Violette Campbell, El Centro, Cal.

Inyo Mrs. Bertrand Rhine, Bishop, Cal.

Kern Mrs. L. P. Guiberson, Taft, Cal.

Kings Mrs. Hope Pybum Johnson, Hardwick, Cal.

Lake Mrs. Leonora May, Lakeport, Cal.

Lassen Mrs. C. E. Emerson, Susanville, Cal.

Los Angeles Mrs. J. F. Sartori, 719 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, Cal.

Madera Mrs. L. A. Covel, Madera, Cal.

Marin Mrs. Chas. Dodge, Larkspur, Cal.

Mariposa Mrs. Nell G. Thayer, Usona, Cal. j

Mendocino Mrs. R. L. Richards, Box X, Talmage, Cal.

Merced Mrs. John Stebbins, Chamber of Commerce, Merced, Cal

Modoc Mrs. Walter Sherlock,Alturas.

Mono Miss Mildred M. Gregory, R. D. Bodie Ranch, Haw,

thorne, Nev.

Monterey Mrs. W. V. Grimes, 206 Ninth St., Pacific Grove, Cal.

Napa Mrs. Percy S. King, Napa, Cal.

Nevada Mrs. James Watt, 506 Linden Ave., Grass Valley, Cal.

Orange Mrs. A. J. Lawton, 632 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Cal.

Placer Mrs. C. K. Schnabel, Newcastle, Cal.

Plumas

Riverside Mrs. Clark McEuen, Winchester, Cal.

Sacramento Mrs. C. D. Webster, 1321, 40th St., Sacramento, Cal.

San Benito Mrs. Katheryn Taylor, Box 392, Hollister, Cal.

San Bernardino ....Mrs. Robt. F. Garner, 498 D St., San Bernardino, Cal.

San Diego Mrs. A. L. Simpson, Rm. 5, Court House, San Diego, CaJ

San Francisco

San Joaquin Mrs. John Montgomery, 229 S. Hutchins St., Lodi, Cal.

San Luis Obispo ....Mrs. C. B. Hughston, 1234 Buchon St., San Luis Obispc
Cal.

San Mateo Mrs. John L. McGinn, 70 Poplar Ave., San Mateo, Cal.

Santa Barbara Mrs. C. E. Herbert, 20 W. Islay St., Santa Barbara, Cal.

Santa Clara .Mrs. J. P. Shambeau, Bx. 310, Rte. B, San Jose, Cal.

Santa Cruz JMrs. H. M. Tenney, Watsonville, Cal.

Shasta Mrs. Geo. Sechrist, 1 Pine St., Redding, Cal.

Sierra Mrs. F. H. Turner, Sattley, Cal.

Siskiyou Mrs. H. C. Patterson, Yreka, Cal.

Solano Mrs. F. A. Steiger, Vacaville, Cal.

Sonoma Mrs. J. S. Sweet, 607 Cherry St., Santa Rosa, Cal.

Stanislaus Mrs. Mollie Bloom Flagg, Turlock, Cal.

Sutter Mrs. Hugh Moncur, Yuba City, Cal.

Tehama Mrs. L. L. McCoy, Red Bluff, Cal.

Trinity Miss Alice Anderson, Weaverville, Cal.

Tulare Mrs. Geo. G. Hobbs, Dinuba, Cal.

Tuolumne Mrs. O. J. Mouron, Sonora, Cal.

Ventura Mrs. Frank Sifford, Ventura, Cal.

Yolo Mrs. Herbert E. Coil, 712 Main St., Woodland, Cal.

Yuba Mrs. L. R. Burgert, 719 H St., Marysville, Cal.

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