Woodrow Wilson to Ellen D. Davis

Though I have had occasion to touch the Woman's Land Army of America at long range more than once in my correspondence, I found myself a little vague about it when I got your letter of the 27th.

Upon inquiry at the Labor Department I got this memorandum, most of which, no doubt, is familiar to you already, namely that it is a voluntary organization of national scope, its officers being Mrs. William Adams Brown, President; Mrs. Wendell T. Bush, Treasurer; and Mrs. William H. Hubert, General Secretary; and that the organization has a State Chairman in each of the States.

The little that I can add to this is as follows: A conference was held between representatives of the Labor Department and the officers of the Land Army on August 7th with a view to bringing about cooperation in the matter of the employment of the women of the army for farm work, and I am told that the Labor Department and the officers of the Army are now working in close cooperation in that matter. This is the only connection between the Land Army and the Labor Department, but it is a veritable connection and has in it the germ of a closer coordination. Is it your judgment that some sort of direction or control should be exercised by the government? We have so many delicate jobs of that sort already in hand that I would like to be very certain that that is necessary before attempting it, but I should also value your own advice as you get a little deeper into the work.

It was fine to get a glimpse of you at Hog Island, and everything that I learn of what E. P. is doing strengthens my affection for him.

In great haste, with cordial regards from us both,
Faithfully your friend,

Woodrow Wilson


Mrs. E. P. Davis,
250 South 21st St.,
Philadelphia, Pa.