The Washington times., 1914-03-27

The department Of work among
soldiers and sailors. In the Ma
uonal Woman's Christian Temper.
ance Union was Instituted In 1884
Mrs. McC1ees. of'New York, was
made its superintendent and served
Tor ten years. when she moved to
California, and the department was
without a head until was ap-
pointed in 1886.
i found in visiting tho national
soldiers homes. forts barracks, and
other Government reservations, that
the beer saloon In the canteen or
post exchange was the cause Of
much drunkenness among the On.
listed men. Many Of them, very
young, were fast losing their man.
mood and becoming drunkards, and
tne veterans. with their drinking In
the canteens. were making Of tho
soldiers homes inebriate aSylums,
Great Agitation Begun.
These facts were taken to the gen-
eral offices Of the National .Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, Miss
Frances p. Willard president, and Q
great aS1tatlon to remove the beer
ment reservations resulted,
Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis, superin.
tendent OF legislation Of tho w. C.,
T. u. led and directed the unions
forces in Washington against this
evil. Other temperance societies
and Christians Of all denominations
thar In 1900 the anti-canteen bin was
passed and all intoxicating liquors
were forever banished from Govern
ment reservations.
The superintendent also found that
the enlisted men Of our army and
navy have little social life; that
these men. many Of them boys, COM
their own social standing and pleas
ures. but as soon as they donned the
uniform Of our country, they were
debarred from the friendship and
society Of which all young people
Therefore, Christian Temperance
Unions were formed all over the
on Government reservations, the
president being q woman from the
W. c. T. U. so as to follow the
plans and purposes Of the union.
All other offices were held by the
men themselves.
This work was often done In con-
junction with the cAaplains, they
being glad to have the help Of these
women. No dues were asked. but
to the willard memorial fund in
memory Of our leader, Frances q.
Willard.
Meetings Held Regularly.
Business meetings are held regu.
larly, and often entertainments and
socials are given on the reservation
w. c. T. u. thus giving these men
a little of the good, wholesome
pleasure and also showing them that
there are good. motherly women
willing to have them in their homes,
thus helping them to a better.
higher life.
Many Of those in whom interest
has been taken are filling places Of
trust and honor: some are ministers,
the work Of the w. c. T. U. among
these, our nations defenders, II to-
help them into a Christian life, max
ing Of them good, Christian citizens.
Often some Of these men were far
gone in a downward career when
these women became interested in
them.
This department work was carried
on for years In Washington by the
Randolph, and the VIC. T. U. wom-
en- of the District. The w. c. T. q.
has given thousands of comfort bags
to the soldiers and sailors. These
are filled with scissors, buttons,
needles. thread. pins. safety-pins,
bandages. court plaster. absorbent
cotton. testament, songster compiled
by Mrs Thacher). pledge cards. tenn
perance and purity leaflets.
Led To Better Lives.
Many Of these boys" have ham
led to the better lives through the
Of the comfort-bag, and,
800 to LOO Of them are presented to
the men Of United States battle
ship and cruisers-made, filled. and
presented by the W. c. T. U. women
Of the State for which the ship Is
named.
Many helpful things and much
good has come to the wards Of our
nation through the plans and minis
try Of this department under the
leader and the women of the W. c.
7. u. not only Of this land. but all
over the world.
l have come to Washington to live.
and hope to interest the people Of
the Capital City in the soldier and
sailor.
The comfort-bags create a great
deal Of enthusiasm. The bags are
made uniform. usually cut by the
State superintendent Of this de-
rartment. All of our States and
are organized and when
war was declared against Spain.
Mrs Thacher had the State superin-
tendents send the first boxes Of
I.xurfes to those injured in cutting