The record-union., 1898-05-20
The SANITARY COMMISSION
1T SENDS WELCOME SUPPLIES
TO THE BOYS.
Sacramento School Children's Sol
diers' Comfort Fund to Be
Formed To-day.


A meeting of the Sanitary Commits
sion Of Sacramento was held yesterday
morning at PurnelPs Hall, 61012
street
Rev c. L. Mel appeared before the
meeting and stated that he had just re-
turned from San Francisco, where he
had visited camp and found our SOL
diers, two companies, numbering 10
men, in much need, and asked that an
appropriation be made to aid them.
A motion was made and carried that
S165 be appropriated by the Directors
for needs Of our soldiers as stated, and
Rev. Mel, Albert EIkus and Mrs. TheO.
Deming were appointed a committee to
act in the matter.
]. o. Coleman informed the meeting
that several trains would pass through
during the day and suggested that
oranges be distributed to the soldiers at
the depot The suggestion was adopt
ed and the committee given power to
act
All parties authorized to collect for
the society have been furnished with
receipt books signed by the President,
Secretary and Treasurer. No others
have authority to collect.
Frank Miller is in receipt of 1S9 Red
Cross badges, which number was insult
41cient for the present membership.
More have been ordered, and will be
forwarded as soon as received by the
San Francisco Red Cross Society.
In conversation with a Record
Union" representative Mr.. Mel said:
Il went to camp to see the Sacra-
mento infantry boys. I did not have
opportunity to call on the battery men.
1 found the men in a bad condition,
but in courageous spirit. They were
all cold. They said to me: Here: if
you want to talk you will have to walk
about with Us to keep warm The Gov
eminent furnishes them with socks,
drawers and undershirt and uniform.
The coat is a thin flannel affair and
not a man 1 found but was shivering
in the cold wind The Government fur
nishes no linen. If a man wants to
wear a shirt he must get it himself.
Nor does the Government furnish them
with handkerchief, or, so far as 1
could ascertain with towels. 1 found
they did not even have soap in many
cases Possibly all that may come;
perhaps not. however. I made very
careful inquiry, and finally found out
that the men had been ill-advised.
They had been told to bring nothing
that the Government furnishes every
thing; else many of them would have
been provided for better before they
left.
managed to get them to admit that
something more would be gratefully ac-
cepted, but most Of them are not finan-
cially situated to help themselves much,
I suspect. Why should they? The
people for whom they go out ought to
see to it that they want for nothing.
Coming back here the situation was
presented to the ladies of the commit
tee at work, and $3.50 was set aside as
a starter. That money has been ex-
pended, under supervision, for socks,
cheap sweaters and underwear towels
and a few such things. 1t does not go
very far, but helps, Of course, and in
the morning we are going down to de-
liver the goods"
Mr. Mel heartily approves the idea
of we'll Quitting the men with plen-
ty of decent things - handkerchiefs
towels, brushes, mending-kits, stock
ings in extra supply, extra under
wear, etc. He is also convinced
that a company fund should be pro-
vided for each company to take
with it for emergencies and COM
fort needs not now foreseen, and which
can be met only by money and on the
spot. This fund would be controlled
by each company, it was explained to
him, just as they controlled their fund
when in their armories as National
Guardsmen.
The mass of the men left all they had
on earth for those dependent on them;
many gave up lucrative positions; all
were accustomed to home comforts and
to having their small wants supplied
by loving hands. 1t is altogether prob
able that many of the men have not
means even to buy stationery and pay
postage, or will not have presently.
Some very few have some means, but
the majority stripped themselves to be
able to get away and to provide for
those they leave behind, or to close up
their obligations and give up their bust
ness.
It is known that some of the men
have arranged that their meager pay Of
S13 a month shall save 81 or 50, be re-
served for those whom they feel they
should contribute to at home. And so
it goes. The company comfort and
emergency IuuQs lu6I - q great
need. At $3.50 a company Of So men it
amounts to but a song that can be ex-
pended for each during a years cam
paign, and who knows but that it may
stretch out to two years or more?
other towns have supplied their COM
panies with such a fund, for use wholly
outside of Red Cross benevolence. With
these views expressed to Mr. Mel he
consurred, and said that he would as
certain just how the men look upon it
when he goes down to-day, and report
on his return, though he is disposed to
think they will hesitate to express
themselves concerning it, and perhaps
properly so. To their home people,
however, there should occur no question
of doubt whatever. Let the company
comfort emergency funds be raised at
once, one for each company
Last evening there was a meeting
OF the Executive Committee of the San
itary Commission at the Chamber Of
Commerce rooms. The committee con-
sists of Mrs. Albert Elkus, Mrs T. w.
Sheehan, Mrs. D. A Lindley, Miss