Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14

1t was shortly after the Spanish-Ameri-
can war that a large and successful en-
| tertainment was given In
Started New York city for the
,ono benefit Of the Cuban or
Ii 1000 phans. Greater success
than was even dreamed of followed this
effort to befriend the children of those
who had persisted in the war. Then some
of the women who had worked so faith
fully in that cause began to realize that
a parallel case might exist in this coun-
try, that many little American Children
had lost their fathers, and that unless
help were given them, their education.
and even their little bodies. might suffer
That was the beginning of the Army Re-
lief Society, organized in New York city
in 1892 and Incorporated in 1900
Mrs Daniel 8. Lamont. wife of the for
mer Secretary of War, was made the
president of the national society, po-
sition which she has held ever since. The
Washington branch, No. .. was organized
shortly after that in New York
Mrs. George NJ. Sternberg is the presi-
dent Of the local branch. while Mrs. H. G.
Sharpe, Mrs. Joseph Garrard and Mrs.
]. B. Aleshire are the wee presidents
Miss Elise A. Davis, recording secretary;
Mrs. Charles p. Russ, corresponding Sec
rotary, and Mrs. e. A. Koerper, treas
urer, complete the list of local officers
Mrs. Leon A. Matile is the chairman OF
the local relief committee and Mrs. VIII
liam c. Borden chairman of the educa-
tional committee.
None of the branches, of which there
are SIX, independently spends the money
raised for relief pur-
Distribution poses. Everything is
sent to the national
VI uAus. headquarters, in New
York. from which point it is distributed
as the cases demand. The local branch.
however spends it's time in investigating
the appeals constantly made upon it.
If a ease is SO urgent as to demand i'm
mediate relief assistance is telegraphed
from the New York headquarters. while
if more time can be given the matter IT.
will be taken charge of there.
The cases. according to popular beile1,
should be for the most part concerned
with the non- commissioned and enlisted
men. Such. however is not the case az
least with the army society. Many OF
it's cases are those of widows of ofncers
eft with barely enough to live on and
with the necessity OF educating theT
sons and daughters fittingly. And this
is one of the greatest objects OF the So
ciety. Practically all the large univer-.
sites and colleges all over the country
are consulted. Some have given society
scholarships, which, when living expenses
are added by the organization, III a boy
for some profession, or II he wants 10
enter West Point prepare him for that
Several boys have realized their cnerlsn.
ed dreams of fol owing in their fathers
Footsteps and becoming officers OF the
United States Army through the tireless
efforts of this society.
X X
OF the amount of money turned in to
the headquarters last year-over $4,000
Washington sent s., 500. Each
Benefit branch, aside from the annual
:, dues, which range from one
OI1Al. to two or three dollars year.
according to the branch organization Dy-
laws, raises as much in excess as pos
sible Each branch has its own idea OF
the best means by which this can be
carried out, and Washington perhaps
has the most unusual Each year
benefit drill at Fort Myer is held, which
for the past two years has been the first
of the season. This has already be-
come a social event, and society, headed
by President and Mrs. Taft, can usually
be found assembled at Fort Myer on this
day. A tea also Is he'd. which, IN con-
junction with candy and hover Dootn'
last year helped materially to swell the
receipts which amounted TO more IMAM
a Thousand dollars.
Aside from the money annually raised
by the six branches and the various posts
continually assisting. half OF the net re-
ceipts secureA from the annual Army
NAVY foot ball game are divided by the
two societies.
The cases that come under the notice
of the local branch are many and varied
While no official recognition is given the
society by the War Department, cases
coming under the notice of the heads
there are reported to the organization.
One such concerned a sergeant ordered
to the Philippines. On his way to San
francisco to take the transport ne was
taken i'll and died. His widow and -FOUR
children were left helpless in the mddle
west. without means and frlendiess. AS
soon as the society heard OF the case ehe
railroad was notified to bring the children
on. the government paying the expenses
for the mans body and wife. Wnen the
family had returned the bill was sent 10
the society and PAID
y i.
1 Another pathetic case is that OF little
child whose father was killed in Jolo. and
whose mother died after
Relieving the San Francisco Garth
SILL. quake. FRIENDS IN Can,
Children. fornia have constituted
,,,os the trustees" OF the little