The times., 1898-05-02
MARRIED MEN MAY ENLIST
An Association TO Aid Y0Iun
teerS' Families.
THE PRESIDENT APPROVES 1T
4 National Organization Forming
Under the Leadership of ex-Goy
Pattiscn, of Pennsylvania. to
Provide for the $I3-a-Month Mans
Wife and Children.

national organization is being formed
for the care and aid of soldiers and the
support of the families whom they may
| leave dependent. Many men of boundless
patriotism cannot afford TO go TO war
The pay of sl3 per month is scarcely suf-
fcient for their own few wants, and en-
listment must leave to destitution and
want the dear ones dependent upon them
for support. Some of the best material
| in our militia have been forced to resign
| During the civil war the same problem
was encountered and solved Extreme
! privauons resulted from the drafting or
volunteering of heads of families who
were compelled to go TO the front. In
many localities thereSwas great destitu-
tfon and the suffering was only alleviated
by the more prosperous and charitable
neighbors coming TO the assistance of the
unfortunate.
The same condition must be met in the
present contingency. Many men who are
now on the way to State camps or the
Federal stations in the South leave fami-
lies poorly provided for. In a short time
their condition will be desperate The
situation must be faced and it is best
that we prepare for it now
a movement has been inaugurated for
the aid Of these soldiers families. II is
even wider in scope than this, for it looks
10 the relief comfort and moral welfare
Of the soldiers.
An association with President McKin-
ley as sponsor is seeking the aid Of the
American people in its work 1t has
such men in its management as Ex-Gov.
Robert +. Pattison Mr.. George G.
Thomas, of Drexel & Co. and Rev. Dr.
Henry McCook, of Philadelphia, who to-
day were in consultation with the Presi-
dent.
The specific object of the organization
is to aid the United States Government
in caring for it's soldiers sailors, and
marines, who may be disabled by sick
ness or wounds, and TO relieve the fam
lies Of combatants, if need should re-
quire.
To accomplish these ends they have
called upon all Christian and phil
anthropic people without regard to
creed or party in the United States to
form relief associations, and in order to
secure harmony OF action and prevent
the waste of energy, means and time, and
in order TO concentrate all efforts so that
the best results may be obtained they
have invited such organizations TO unite
with them in perfecting a national or
ganizatiOn.
a secondary purpose of the relief com
mission is 10 aid chaplains and others in
maintaining the moral tone Of the men
in the army and navy by friendly visits
from agents and commissioners and the
representatives Of religious organizations
and others. BY providing a ''knapsack
library" containing short booklets or
tracts giving practical information as
to how to care for ones health in camp:
appeals 10 the moral nature; portions Of
scripture, the New Testament. etc. pa
triotic songs and familiar religious
hymns; magazines and other suitable
literature; to facilitate the Identification
Of the dead, and where the danger Of in
fection does not exist TO aid friends in
procuring the remains for home burial
In short they viii endeavor TO keep the
men both on shore and sea in as close
touch as possible with the most health
ful and moral influences, and keep them
true 10 the kindred points of heaven and
home"
II is proposed so to enlarge the present
executive board to include prominent
and active citizens from all the States
and Territories of the Union.
Already organizations more or less per
feet have been made in four States of the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., New Jersey. Hi
nois and Delaware. A number of inde-
pendent organizations have been formed
in the churches of various Christian de-
nominations. Very many letters have
come from prominent citizens, pastors of
churches, presidents of organizations of
young people, extending sympathy and
offering help.
Arrangements will soon he completed
for the cooperation Of the officials Of the
Army and Navy in this work of relief.