Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-11-01
Federation of Women's Clubs
Chooses Method of Relief
to Destitute People.
PLEA TO ORGANIZATIONS
THROUGHOUT THE UNION
Proposed Clubhouse in Washington
Also Receives Attention of Dele
gates at Meeting Yesterday.

A mercy ship from the clubwomen of
America to the Queen of Belgium. car
rying food, clothing and other needed
supplies for the destitute Of that in
vaded nation, is one of the efforts to
which the executive meeting of the
District Federation of Women's Clubs
pledged itself at a meeting in the Ra-
leigh last evening.
Nine. Emmanuel Havenith, wife Of
the Belgian minister, was present and
was consulted about the plan. She said
the ship might be sent direct to the
Queen of Belgium, and that all funds
contributed would bee spent in this
country for goods to be distributed in
Belgium. This would contribute to ex-
pand business in the United States
while doing work of mercy to the
distressed of a. sister nation.
At the meeting yesterday $50 was
contributed to the Belgian relief fund,
$50 from the treasury of the general
federation and $13 collected at the
meeting. In addition, a stable sum
was turned over as proceeds from the
luncheon of the club women, held Fri
day in the Jardin de Danse. AS all
the returns are not yet in, the total
could not be announced at the meet
ing yesterday.
Contributions by Two Clubs.
It was stated that the Twentieth
Century and the Pro Re Nata clubs
nave already made generous contri-
buttons to thee Belgian relief fund. A
resolution was passed that word be
sent to all the federated clubs urging
each to start a fund and advising that
no meeting be held without some do
nation, however small, being made
It is intended that the contributions
already made be known as the nucleus
fund for the mercy ship to Belgium.
The Pro Re Nata collection amounted
to $3.50. and this has already been sent
to the Belgian minister.
Delegates from the Pro Re Nata Club
also initiated a movement for all the
100000 clubwomen Of the United
States to use a special card of greet
ing to friends the coming Christmas
time and donate the money usually
of the distressed in Europe. The pro-
ceeds from the sale Of these cards, it
Is believed, also, would swell the fund.
This suggestion met with considerable
encouragement among the women, and
delegates at the meeting promised to
have the matter brought to the atten-
ton Of their respective clubs. with the
probability that most Of them will
adopt this plan.
DIR. Nevil Monroe Hopkins, recently
returned from Red Cross service in
Belgium and France, described vivid
ly the suffering and hardshtps among
the n-combatants of Belgium. and
the dire need for immediate relief. He
read personal letters he had received
from soldiers and from others he had
met there ON the battleields and In
the trenches, and gave a summary Of
the devastation that has swept its
blight over the little nation.
"A large part Of Belgium has been
have been wiped of the map. Peace
full villages have been laid waste.
Thousands of people have nothing in
the world left, no money, no clothlngs
no chance to earn living Of any sort.
while the invasion lasts-not roof
over their heads and no food.
Earnest Appeal for Aid.
'The Belgian minister and a COM
mittee Of prominent Americans make
an earnest appeal to you for contri-
buttons Of money and clothing. Any
amount. no matter how small. will be
gratefully received.
Antwerp, once the rich metropolis
Of Belgium, has fallen into the hands
of the Germans. A large part of the
city has been destroyed by the bonn
bardment, and the Inhabitants have
shared the fate of their fellow-coun-
trvmen. who have been Impoverished
and ruined by the invasion OF their
land.
and the lack of food and clothing al
ready is intensely felt. All contribu-
to the minister of foreign affairs. SO
that the suffering Of some at least may
be relieved"
It was decided to hold an annual club
luncheon to last all day; and the az
fair this year is to be held early in
February. The proceeds of these lunch
cons are to be turned into the club
house fund. It was announced that
this fund now amounts to $1,000 and
that an active campaign will soon be-
gin for the early erection of the club
house.
The clubhouse committee is:
Trustees for three years-Mrs J. Ed
son Briggs, treasurer; Mrs. M y. 5.
Davis. Mrs. E. H. Pitcher and Mrs. Car
RE E. Kent.
For two years-Mrs. Thomas w. CAL
yer. chairman; Mrs. Ellis Logan. Mrs.
Joseph James, and DR.. Ida j. Heiberger.
For one year-Mrs. Court F. Wood.
secretary; Mrs. William p. Andrews.
Mrs. James Lansburgh and Mrs. Eliza
beth Walbridge.
Series OF Lectures Announced.
The series Of open lectures to be
given each Saturday morning at IL
o'clock in the Public Library Is to
start Saturday with an explanation OF
the new carrier system by an authority
from the Post Office Department. Post
master Otto Praeger has promised to be
present and answer all questions regard
To hoe oil
promised to have an exhibition there Of
the various carriers and receptacles for
safe transportation - various articles.
The general subject of these lectures is
.Homemakers and Housekeeping"
Miss Lydia Adams-Williams. chairman
Of the waterways committee, an
nounced a lecture that she has been re-
ouested to give. and invited all members
Of the general federation to attend. 1t
Is on The Life Of the Forest Ranger"
TO be given at an open meeting Of the
District of Columbia section OF the
National Democratic League.
4, the ha llroom of the Cairo APARTMENT