The San Francisco call., 1898-06-26

TN HE call ito arms" that has sound
 ed throughout our land has sum-
 moned from every large city, from
 every little mountain town, from
 4 villages and farms, men eager to
 fight and, if necessary, to die for
 their country, and in defense of their flag.
 The saying that men must work and women must weep might very fitly be changed to "men must fight and women must comfort" Many of the soldiers who marched away through a roar of wild enthusiasm have left behind them rela- tives in need of more than comfort. Some of these, even at this early date, are in dire distress.
 Upon the Red Cross Society has fallen the brunt of all this wretchedness Every day wives, mothers, sisters and sweet hearts come to their rooms. sometimes but seeking information as to their loved ones, for many man enlisted and when the time came to say good-by could not screw his courage to the sticking point. and left without even a farewell.
 Cases of families left without money for their immediate necessities have been re- ported every day, and in every instance individual aid has been given The work that has been accomplished by the Red Cross women is almost beyond belief to Olle WilO idS llOl dCLudlly ocCi It, W AAiiO they have lent always willing ears to the condolences. which every arriving troop has brought, they could not help them more than with their sympatsy.
 And so the necessity arose for another band of helpers A number of patriotic men and women met, confronted the problem and the Patriotic Home Help CTS Society is the result. The officers elected at the first meeting are:
 
 James D. Phean, first vice-president; Major w. B. Hooper, second vice-presi- dent; Mrs. William Alvord. third vice. president; Mrs. H. A. Harland, secretary; Bank of California, treasurer.
 Executive board-Mrs. c. Mason Kinne, Mrs. George w. Gibbs, Mrs. Lowell White. Mrs. Walter E. Dean, Walter E. Dean, Mrs. William Ashburner, Mrs. Horace L. Hill. John M Burnett, M. H. Hecht. George F. Morse, Colonel J. c. Currier, Hon. Tirey l.. Ford
 Advisory board-Horace L. Hill, A. N. Drown, T. H. Goodman, General J. F. Houghton and J. E. Stetson.
 Advisory board-Horace L. Hill, A. N. Drown, T. H. Goodman, General J. F. Houghton and J. B. Stetson.
 Finance committee-ColoneI Currier, T. L. Ford, Mrs. Lowell White, Mrs George w. Gibbs, Mrs. Dean, Major Hooper, and w. E. Dean.
 Relief committee-Mrs W. W. Young, Mrs. George w. Gibbs, Mrs. William Ashburner, Mrs. Horace Hill, Mrs John Moss, Mrs. Colonel Grannis, Mrs James Edwards, Mrs. Center, Mrs. J. J. Scoville, w. B. Dean and Major w. B. Hooper On the membership roll are already the names Of some of the most prominent people of San Francisco.
 This society has busted itself at the in Nearly every soldier, when he arrived at the ferry Red Cross rooms, to be fed, be- fore he started on his tramp to Camp Merritt, has been glad to get the postal cards which the patriotic Home Helpers provided for him, on which to send a cheering word to the anxious ones at home
 One night at the ferry Red Cross rooms young soldier whisted "The Girl I Left Behind Me- A youth standing near turned to him and said, fiercely, For Gods sake shut up. l didn't dream what whistling meant
 Carried away by his enthusiasm he had enlisted without serious thought. It was typical case.
 There is something inspiring in the bravery of the departed soldiers; there is something pitiful in the courage of the women who have been left at home to fight the stern battle of poverty In al- most every case it is work and not money that is asked and their cheerfulness and resignation, their willingness to do labor of any kind tug at the heartstrings and bring tears to the eyes. Pathos and humor, that is not without it's tinge of sadness, rub elbows.
 With the husband gone many woman must face the commonplace, stern ques- tions, How can I manage to pay the rent? How can I get the money to buy three meals day for the children?'
 It is a vulgar, commonplace, everyday trouble, and within the four walls of her home she must think it out alone In speaking of her experiences Mrs Harland, the secretary of the society, ~ q q q z q q 2 q g 6 q 2 2 g q q $ 6