The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-11
ASK AID OF WEST
Navy Relief Society Appeals to
People To Help Work.
ORGANIZATIONS Desired in Kan
sas and Adjoining States.
Die TAcYc TN DE- DEQEnRMEn
BIG TASKS TO Be PERFORMED
Organization Looks After Fam
lilies of Dead Sailors.
They Are Cared for Even After
the War Is Over.

| Chicago, Ill, Aug. 11.-An appeal to
the millions of people in the Middle
West for cooperation in the national
emergency in the work of the Navy
Relief society was made here today
| Issued by the officers of the Great
Lakes Auxiliary of the organization
it was directed especially to the club
! women, patriotic and civic workers,
and state, municipal and other Off
Gals of wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri,
Minnesota, North Dakota, South Da-
kota, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana,
| Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and Nebraska.
! The launching of an intensive cam
paign for civilian memberships fol-
lowed a meeting of the officers and
board of managers of the Great Lakes
! Auxiliary of the Navy Relief society.
Heretofore, Mrs. w. A. Moffett pres
ident of the auxiliary and wife of the
commandant of the U. s. naval train
| ing station at Great Lakes. Illinois,
pointed out, it has been unnecessary
/ to seek civilian aid and membership
! has been confined to men in the serv-
| ice. The demands of the war, how
ever, she said, have necessitated the
expansion of the society and the es-
adjustment of the Great Lakes aux
of the Central West. She urged the
establishment of state, city and town
chapters of the 10 states.
The appeal issued requested the CO.
operation in the organization of wo-
men in every community in the Mid
die West Women interested in such
patriotic work are urged to communi-
cate with Mrs. Moffett at the u S.
Naval Training Station, Great Lakes,
Illinois, who promises to provide
I hnr NKTifh lot 1nd Ion
ization, together with literature and
other necessary advertising matter.
Society Organized by Dewey.
The society was organized in 1904
by the late Admiral of the Navy
George Dewey, for the purpose of
caring for the needy widows, orphans
and mothers of officers and enlisted
men in the navy or marine corps who
die in service or give their lives to
their country. 1t has the cooperation
of the bureau of navigation and the
encouragement of the navy and its
work is directed voluntarily by navy
officers.
AS explained by Lieut. q. c. ].
Allen Haines, U. S. n. II. F., exeeu-
tive secretary of the auxiliary, the
organization maintains an office in the
navy building at Washington to which
reports of all deaths and disasters to
men on ships of the navy are sent inn
mediately upon their receipt by the
department. Thru the organization,
the local committee in a mans home
community is in touch with the sur
viving members of his family within
twelve hours and their immediate
needs are cared for. Later permanent
relief is given. The organization diff
| fers from other war relief bodies he
| pointed out, in that it cares only for
the families of officers and enlisted
men of the navy and marine corps in
| the time of peace and war as we'll
Women Taught Vacations.
Mrs. w. A. Moffett, president of the
Great Lakes Auxiliary, pointed out
that among its undertakings are i'm
| mediate financial relief for depend
ents and continued monthly alIot-
ments until such time as the family
can be put on permanent self sus-
tanning basis. Women who have no
means of support are taught voca-
| tions, assistance is given in the obtain
! ing of pensions and orphaned chill
| dren are educated and found homes.
She asserted that practically every
man in the navy is now a member,
but that relief is given in every nee
essary case, regardless of membership
in the society,
The appeal issued today said: with
the nation involved in war an organ
ization is necessary, the tentacles of
which radiate like the spokes of a
wheel, reaching every hamlet and
every home in the Middle West In
this way, only, can the men who offer
their lives to their country have the
mental relief that comes witt the as
surance that in the event of death
their families will be cared for
Those who are left at home help the
struggle for democracy in this way.
Every man, every woman and every
child in the section should be a mem
Der of the Great Lakes Auxiliary of
the Navy Relief society,"