New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-18

~ T has been charged by the enemies Of
Great Britain that England used Bel
GUM as a catspaw This may or may
not be true. That is 4 controversy
which is likely to be settled according to ones
prejudices. It certainly is true that the Eng
lish people and their government accomplished
a magnificent piece of work in caring for the
distracted inhabitants of this harried land who
were obliged TO seek asylum elsewhere. The
organization of the British relief forces in the
face of the food of homeless human beings
from every walk in life was task well per
formed.
The problem was complicated by the fact
that nearly all Of the refugees brought nothing
with them except the clothing they wore. 1t
was absolutely necessary to get fresh clothing
upon them as soon as they arrived in London.
The work was conducted by the War Refugees
Committee, volunteer body formed for the
purpose When the inundation subsidized and
it took stock of its activities it found that it
had provided for the shelter food and clothing
of upward of 100000 distressed persons, and
had organized for the accomplishment of this
task body of 900 efficient workers, men and
seven in the morning until the hour of mid
night 1t had done this in the face of the fact
that from the moment its formation was an
nounced, and before it could organize corps
of workers. it was confronted with its task
The refugees were before them requiring TO be
fed and sheltered.
The committee grew out of a gathering of
three or four persons around dinner table on
Sunday evening, August q. The executive
committee which was named included Lady
Lugard, H. E. Morgan, Viscount Gladstone,
Mrs. Alfred Lyttleton, Monsignor Bidwell and
Father Gator of the Brampton Oratorians
Princess Christian accepted the post Of patron.
Two small rooms were taken in the big build
ing of the General Accidents Insurance Com
pany, which, fortunately, opened upon a big
open space at Aldwych and the Strand. On
August Is it was announced in the press that
the committee would welcome offers of accom-
modations for the entertainment of the refu-
gee guests.
, On that day a smooth-faced gentleman of
u somewhat slender build and medium height,
slave TO eyeglasses, entered Mr.. Morgan's
Office and volunteered his services in any ca
pacity in connection with the work in hand.
His name was c. E. Whitaker. He was an
ex-newspaper man and had for some years
been associated with an important promoting
firm of London. Desiring to serve his coun-
try he had sought to enlist in the army
You wear eyeglasses" the recruiting officer
remarked.
Eyes; slight degree of astigmatism"
I'm sorry, but l cannot take you If it
should be rainy you couldn't see we'll"
Shut out from military service, the idea of
assisting in the organization Of the relief work
occurred to him. He wanted to serve some
where. So he had come in TO see Mr.. Morgan.
All right, glad 10 have you" responded Mr..
Morgan. 60 around to see MIR. Hennessy
Cook. whom have put in as secretary and see
what you can do TO help him"
DR. Whitaker went around Upon ap-
preaching the big Office building he was aston
ished to find the wide open space in front
throneed The entrance 70 the building was
also filed with a crowd struggling 10 enter.
He souirmed through TO the two small rooms
and found the poor secretary overwhelmed.
The throne outside was trying TO get IN IN
order 70 offer hospitality to the nations guests.
Mr. Whitaker took u half hour of to size up
Oh. situation and then laid plans for larger
quarters.
In the course OF a few days the committee
was using several floors and the basement
staff of clerks was hired TO perform the sole
task of removing checks and offers OF hospi-
tally from the mail. Thirty tyPists were put