Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-19
ARMY RELIEF SOCIETY
It's Work Outlined at Meeting
Held Yesterday.
A LARGE GATHERING
ADDRESSES BY GEN. WILSON, Elk
SENATOR THURsToN AND OTHERS
Army Praised for Its Efficiency, but
Especial Honors Given Wives
and Mothers.

The work of the Army Relief Society for
the coming year was inaugurated by
meeting held at Rauscher's yesterday al
ternoon beginning at o'clock. The pur-
pose of the meeting was to bring more
prominently before the public the aims
and usefulness of the societys relief work
among the widows and orphans of officers
and enlisted men of the regular army. The
gathering was held in the large banquet
hall on the second floor of the building.
Those who made addresses were Gen. John
M Wilson, Former Senator Thurston, Com
missioner Mcfarland. Representative Par
ker of New Jersey and Gen. c. Charles
Bird. Gen George NJ. Sternberg presided
and made few introductory remarks
Music was furnished by section of the
Marine Band.
The society is national in its scope and
has branches at New York, West Point and
Washington. The president. Mrs. Daniel
S. Lamont, and party of officers and men,
bers came over from New York to assist in
the commencement of the new years work
here. Besids Mrs. Lamont the party con-
sisted of the following ladies': Mrs. Henry
Bischoff. Mrs. Charles F. Roe. Mrs. G. Ora
ham Bacon. Mrs. J. r. Duryea. Mrs Wright
z. Egerton. Mrs. James B. Burbank, Miss
Edna Storm and Mrs. F. Gore King.
Among the Washington ladies present
were: Mrs. Gillespie. Mrs. Oliver, Mrs.
Reamy. Miss Deerng. Miss Alice Parker.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roland Leigh. Mrs. Wayne
Parker, Mrs. Adna r. Chaffee and Mrs.
Nelson a. Miles
General Young expected To be pres
ont. but was prevented by pressing official
business He sent letter which General
Sternberg read, expressing In the highest
terms his praise of the work being done by
the society.
Outline Of Society's Objects.
General Sternberg then outlined the OBJ
jeet of the society. citing a number of cases
in which relief had been given. and showing
the great need for an organization such as
this one. He explained the circumstances of
many widows and children of men of the
regular army. who are in dire financial dis
tress. which II is not possible for the gov
eminent To relieve.
General Wilson then made brief address
commencing the work of the ladies and
expressing his devotion to the army. He
confirmed General Sternberg's statement
that the loved ones of United States soldiers
are often reduced to poverty. because of the
fact that the head of the family received so
small a salary during his lifetime and had
SO little opportunity to profitably invest his
small savings as do men whose time Is their
own. He said that no one would accuse
the government of being ungrateful The
soldiers life is of necessity hard one and
his wife and family expect always to be
frugal and even so be some day reduced to
poverty. The nation, he said. cannot give
large enough pensions to support in COM
fort family and can give nothing when the
soldier did not die a result of carrying
out his duty. He told several touching Incl
dents OF his life superintendent of the
Military Academy at West Point. which
showed THE kind of men we are making
soldiers out Of He said they were strong
men that deserved the public's help in
trouble that is not of their own bringing.
Following General wilson Senator Thurs
ton addressed the meeting. He said that
in the presence of so many women who
are doing things ne felt that mere speech
was inadequate.
Il am proud of the army which has
never fought for an ignobe cause" he
said. but we should remember the women
who sent them forth, to whom | think the
greater honor is due. To their appeal for
their suffering sisters pray God this nation
will respond"