The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-08-06
CIVILIANS ASKED
TO JOIN naval
RELIEF SOCIETY
Body Which Cares for De-
pendants of Sailors Needs
Funds.

CHICAGO, Aug. 6-An appeal to
the millions Of people in the Middle
West for cooperation during the ma
tional emergency in the work Of the
Navy Relief Society was made here
today. Issued by the officers OF the
Great Lakes Auxiliary Of the organi.
cation 1t was directed especially to
the club women. patriotic and civic
workers. and state. municipal and
other officials Of Wisconsin. Illinois,
Missouri. Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota. Kansas, Kentucky, In
diana, Michigan. Ohio, Iowa and Ne
braska
The launching Of an intensive cam.
pa1gn for civilian memberships follow
ed meeting Of the officers and board
OF managers Of the Great Lakes Auxil-
iary Of the Navy Relief Society. Here
tofore, as Mrs. w. A Moffett, presi-
dent OF the auxiliary and wife OF the
commandant Of the United States
Naval Training Station at Great Lakes,
ILL.,. pointed out, 1t has been unneces-
sary to seek civilian and member
ship. With the exception of q few
life members, membership has been
confined TO men in the service. The
demands Of the war, however. she
said. have necessitated the expension
OF the society and the establishment
of the Great Lakes Auxiliary" as the
active body for the states Of the Gen.
trail West. She urged the establish
ment Of state, city and town chapters
in the 10 states.
Mrs. Moffett viii Help
The appeal requested the co-opera-
tino in the organization OF women in
every community in the Middle West
and women interested in such patriot
&c work are urged to communicate
with Mrs Moffett, who promises to
provide them with detailed plans for
organization, together with literature
and other necessary advertising mat
ter.
The society was organized in 1904
by the late Admiral of the Navy,
George Dewey. for the purpose OF
caring for those needy widows, or
phans and mothers Of officers and en-.
listed men in the Navy or Marine
Corps who die in service. 1t has the
cooperation Of the bureau of naviga-
ton and of the surgeon-general of
the Navy and its work is directed vol
UNFAIRLY by Navy officers.
AS explained by Lieutenant j. AL.
len Haines, q. c. U. s. N. r. F., who
is executive 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 Immediately upon their re-
ceipt by the department. Through the
organization, the local committee in
mans home community is in touch
with the surviving members of his
family within twelve hours and their
immediate needs are cared for. Later
permanent relief is given.
In Peace Time as Well
The organization differs from other
war relief bodies. he pointed out, in
that it cares for the families of off,
GERS and enlisted men OF the Navy
and Marine Corps in time of peace
as well as in war.
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 allot-
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 vacations
and assistance is given in the obtain
ing of pensions and orphaned chill
dren are educated and placed in
homes. She asserted that practically
every man in the Navy is now a men,
Der, but that relief is given in every !
necessary case, regardless Of member
ship in the society.
The appeal issued today said :.
With the nation involved in war an
organization is necessary, the tenta- |
oles Of which shall radiate like the |
spokes of 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 |