The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-06-21

tional service for women as we'll as
men. There are two very important
ways in which women can help the
nation in war.
l. By working in industry, thereby
releasing men for the front; and
2. By joining the American Red
The Red Cross in War.
Next to the preparation of NUM-
tons and recruiting the army and the
navy, the most important step in get
ting ready for war is to build up an
effective Red Cross organization.
Vast numbers of women are now
working in the various supply estab-
lishments which make munitions,
clothing, etc, but the time is not
yet here when women must 90 into
the factories to take the places of
men. The time, however, is here, not
merely for the Red Cross to prepare,
but to meet the actual test of real
service.
During the last few years much
has been done to prepare the Ameri-
can Red Cross for the nations call.
But preparedness on a large scale
cannot be accomplished in peace time.
All that can be done is to prepare
skeleton organization capable of eX-
pansion in war service, to draft plans
of mobilization as an army staff
would draft them, and to gather re-
serve materials and supplies.
When the call comes the Red Cross
must act quickly. It must take care
of vastly increased army and navy.
Therefore, its growth must parallel
the growth in both branches of the
nations fighting force.
Time for Quick Action.
The declaration of a state of war
with Germany means that the Ameri
can Red Cross must translate all
these plans, prepared during peace
into action. 1t must be prepared to
supplement the existing facilities of
the medical deartment of the army
and navy and of the medical reserve
corps.
All this work must 60 forward
swiftly and smoothly. This eXpan-
sion must take place without any
hitch in the machinery. There can
be no experimenting in war.
How to Help.
1t is the patriotic duty of every man
the American Red Cross. Membership
it is as low as ore dollar-shOuld
be universal. Instead of having
memberhip of 900 as on March
l, the American Red Cross should
far exceed the 100000 membership
in Japan, the 100000 in Russia, and
the million each in France and Eng
land because our Red Cross is to be
taxed far more severely than theirs.
Membership alone does not neces-
sarily imply service. 1t means mere
ly that one helps to support the adj
ministrative organization directing
the work of the Red Cross.
After membership there is oppOr-
tunity for service with the Red Cross
and every chapter has its work rooms
and its auxiliaries. 1t has trained
instructors in the preparation of hos
pital and surgical supplies needed
here and abroad.
Many chapters have classes in first
aid to the wounded, home care of the
sick, home dietetics and in the MAX
ing of surgical dressings. Ali of
these are at the service of women
who wish to aid their country.
What the Red Cross Needs.
But what the Red Cross does need
today is trained women for the work
of the military relief. This immed-
late call is for competent nurses. A
soldiers life is too presCious to risk in
unskilled hands. Nurses must be drawn
largely from the hospitals of the
cities.
Women must be found to take the
places of many nurses in civilian hos
pitfalls. To prepare for this emer-
gency, the Red Cross has been con-
Quoting great training classes for
women.
In many cities, New York, Brook
Ign, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and
elsewhere teaching centers of the Red
Cross, for the past two years, have
been turning out women trained in
the care of the sick and in elemen-
tary hospital duties.
In New York alone, at No. 2 Fast
56th street, one of these teaching
centers is now training women in this
work at the rate of 1000 every eight
weeks.
From them largely will be drawn
also the nurses aids attached to the
base hospitals organized throughout
the country. Twenty-eight of these
hospitals, with 500 beds each and "a
complement of fifteen nurses aids,
are now ready for active service. Even
the doctors and nurses attached to
these units have been inoculated
against typhoid and other dangers
of field service
Work TO Be Done at Home.
The functions of the Red Cross,
however, go far beyond service in
military hospitals. In addition to the
department Of military relief, is the
department of civilian relief, equally
as large and equally as important.
be neglected. Red Cross committees,
assisted by expert Investigators, take
care Of children who need aid. The