Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-04-24

Great Service Rendered to our Coun-
try's Defenders by the
W. C. T. U.

| Wy DCACAAuVAS Wy I4AV
w. C. T. U.
In it's varied scope of work done
the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union includes department of work
among soldiers and sailors. Through
Its channels great service has been
rendered to our country's defenders
and the patriotism of this great or
ganization demonstrated.
By the efforts of the W. c. T. U.
the canteen was abolished from the
army. The increase in food rations
was obtained and the appropriations
for recreation centers. The mother
heart of this largest of woman's or
ganizations in the world has been
concerned for the physical as well as
the spiritual welfare of the boys and
wants them better fed and their rec
reation needs supplied. At many army
posts the work is SO appreciated that
there are Christian Temperance I'm
ions" among the soldiers that direct
ly cooperate with the National w. C.
II. U.
Last summer the boys on the bor-
der were the recipients of the mother
care of these women. The hospital
was equipped with twenty-four cleo
trio fans, and fruits, fruit juices, ice
cream and other delicacies supplied
to the sick and canvalescent. Fly
SWEATERS and fans were supplied in
lots of 5000 to the men. When the
Y. M. c. A. assembly tent needed
flooring, the w. G. 7. U. paid the bill.
The women sent 81 per plank to floor
and enlarge this place for entertain
ments, reading and writing. Large
quantities of reading matter and ma
|terial for correspondence was suppl
ed by them. And not the least service
rendered to the border work was the
gift of an auto to Chaplain Arson
who is lame. This was the personal
gift of Mrs. Ella H. Thatcher of Wash
ington, D. c., the national superin-
tendent of this department.
Comfort bags" containing not on
lily the usual articles, but motherly
letter from mother heart to some
mothers boy are supplied by the
|thousands.
In the present national crisis, the
plans of the organization are well in
hand. The national president and
vice president have been in Washing
ton for weeks in conference with
those in charge of affairs. The en-
deavor will be to mobilize the army
wherever possible in dry states.
Where this cannot be done, to secure
the closing of all saloons in the vi
entity of the mobilization centers,
| that the disgraceful conditions about
the border camps may not be repeat
ed. The efforts for the prohibition
of the liquor traffic as war measure
are being pressed. Russia prohibited
vodka and France prohibited absin-
the and both assembled their armies
without interference with efficiency.
England was not able to control the
situation and the army officials re-
port loss of 80 to 40 per cent in
deficiency.
This organization that first sound
ed the slogan "a white life for two"
lis always concerned deeply about
moral conditions, and is doing it's ut
most to secure clean envi
ronment for our boys in khaki and
cleanse it from the menace of impur-
ity that follows always in the train
of war.
ORGANIZED mother love-" the or
ganization is called. 1t demonstrates
it's right to the title by its service
in war as we'll as peace. 1t was the
first society to have a department
of peace and arbitration. But while
working for the exemplification of
the ethics of the Prince of Peace it
is not obstructionist, but in times of
danger will render most patriotic
service to the nation, For God and
Home and Native Land"
Home From the West.