Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-09

MAKE LIGHTS
FOR OPERATIONS

Newspapers make the torches by
the light of which surgical operations
are frequently performed in the
trenches, and they make the best sort
of trench candles, because they do not
drip wax and they give a full, soft
light, equivalent TO that of several tai
low candles together. and one page OF
a newspaper will burn for two hours
If the candle is properly made.
The New York Red Cross is send
ing the torches to France as fast as
they can be made Already 5000 have
been placed in the French trenches
since a recent meeting of candle
makers assembled in Breton Hall Ho-
tel New York, and taught representa-
tives from 21 states how to make the
candles properly. These representa-
tives are teaching newspaper torch
making in their own states. now.
MIR. Henry P. Dawson of ]. P. Nor
gan and Company. head of the Red
Cross work and Mrs. Herbert Satter-
lee. daughter of the late J. P. Morgan,
head Of the Navy Comforts Commit
tee, want ali the newspaper candles
they can get. Some of the new work.
ers are sending candles from their
summer places to the headquarters in
New York to be dipped in paranne.
Candle bees for the French trenches,
are becoming the newest and most
popular form Of evening Red Cross
work.
The making of the candle is simple
One sheet of a metropolitan paper
makes one candle. and small news
paper will require an equivalent
amount Of paper.
The sheet is cut into column lengths.
evenly down the lines between the
columns. The first two columns are
placed together and rolled tightly.
Over this roll each succeeding column
is rolled separately. Rolling on a ia
BILE, board or book, insures firm rolling
and a tight candle. The candle is
worthless unless 1t is rolled smoothly
and tightly. One can roll so candles
in an evening with very little effort.
After the candle is rolled it must be
tied around the middle with bit of
string, The ends of the string are
cut, and the candle is ready for dip
ping.
Three pounds Of parafne, at is
cents a pound, makes enough hot
parafine to entirely cover so or more
candles, standing closely on end. in a
kettle. Any deep receptacle will do,
and any form of heat. 1t is custo-
mary to heat the parafine over
chafing dish at parties.
The candles must remain in hot
parafine for three quarters Of an hour,
a fresh
batch put in with one more pounds of
parafine TO replace what has been ao-
sorbed. The resulting torch. or candle
is the height of a column width, ana
is hard and dark gray in color. II may
he lighted at either end and emits q
full. soft bright light. A properly
made candle burns for two hours, anc
a loosely rolled or carelessly dipped
icandle should not be sent TO the RSu
Cross. because these little newspaper
\torches serve the gravest purposes III
the firing lines and there Is no ex-
cuse for not making them properly.
II should be remembered that the
candles must stand upright In the
,.rafine receptacle and be quite COW
atea with the hot liquid. This causes
an even absorption. Very little para
fine will make q vast numper Oh '"h
dies.
Finished candles may be sent TO any
of the shipping offices Of the S es
Cross. as. for instance, to the french
Packet Committee, 2-14 west o'th
street, New York, or to the Navy
comforts Committee. Fifth avenue
near 42nd street, New YORK. ANY
shipping office will do, however we've +,s,r
A great many people send eheir
oond,es to Miss c. Cecilia Gaffney'
nresident of the Woman's National
wilson Ma rshall League, sos "es'
End avenue because she started 'ns
movement for making the candles ana
sbo has A force to examine theh''
throw out imperfect ones and deliver
tharo to the Red Cross shipping ON
ces. +o
THESE candles also show way 70
economizc on farms in the ma''eE o.
ri, and other forms Of lighting.