Evening journal., 1917-03-27
BY J. L. PEeLER.

CUnited Press Staff COrrespondenD.
LONDON, March 1O.-(By MaiD.
The only American sewing circle in
England worked in mute silence until
President Wilson broke Off relations
with Germany. Then discipline strain
ed. stretched and snapped.
A gusher of pent-up sentiments
broke over the sewing tables Of The
American WOmen's Club WOrkrOOms.
After while it was all said and the
circle subsided. The industrious thrum
of sewing machines and bandage
spools resumed and the relief work
went right along.
Mrs. Stokes Waite. the chairman,
however, decided a little whispering
is good for the workers tired nerves.
So the silence rule that made the sew
ing circle unique was sent to abide
with the late lamented German rela-
tions.
"When we first began making Red
Cross materials" said Mrs. Waite,
eve wanted 10 prevent wOrkroom gos-
sip. That is why we adopted the sill
ence rule. But we can't work all the
time in silence"
AS If to prove that little whisper
ing doesn't retard the work, a work
table In the sewing room was gradu-
ally becoming heaped with the days
output of hospital things. There were
surgical swabs, bandage rolls, ward
suits, pajamas, flannel socks for
wounded or fiCstbttcn feet woody
coverings for hot water bottles evcrv
article of bandage or clothing that a
wounded soldier needs.
Stacked in a corner near the work
room door three big bales in burlap
envelopes awaited the coming Of the
war Office expressman to start them
on their way to the Italian front. "Os-
pedalettO de Campo rs, Ill Armata,
Italy" read the stencilled address and
the Red Cross bazed in each corner
to insure the speediest shipping.
Mrs. Waite organized her friends
as a Red Cross unit pack in Decem-
Der. Work began on January 2. In one
month the war Office lorries backed
up to the worlSrooms a dozen times
and carried away 1900 articles that
ultimately reached the various allied
fronts of France, Italy and the Balkans
The present big rush is caused by an
order for 240 suits of pajamasfor the
English officers hospital at Lancas
ter Gate
The American women were quick tc
learn the new work. Eye bandages fol
wet dressings must be lined with
oiled silk, the spotless white caps
which stretch out to envelope band
aged heads require a different kind o
needle skill. Yet there we're no Ssec
onds" among the production. Every
h1
rolls of bandages, as neatly done ai
any from the trained hands Of more
experienced Red Crossers.
Even If there is rag chewing in thu
workroom the lint is not wasted. Ever
the stray threads ravelled from thu
edges of working cloth are utilized
along with rags from the cutiinl
tables These are gathered up at tn
end of each day and stored until ther
are enough to make cushions for IN
jured arms or legs.
I'VE used to have an assessment o
~ cents a day for each worker Mrs
J Waite said, explaining the financia
workings of the institution. THAT wa
to pay the operating expenses asid
from materials. Il left a surplus, S
! we abolished the plan, substituting
> voluntary contribution. Now the SUI
plus Is even larger
= every woman who works 156 hour
in three months is entitled to the Wa
/, Volunteers badge, with the letter
, w. " surmounted by the Grown
But she must go on working to retail
it even after the honor is won, unles
! under special circumstances it
. awarded outright.
Il never saw greater enthusiasm