Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-27
RED CROSS WILL ASSIST
IN MOBILIZATION OF MEN
To Cooperate With War Department
In Providing for Comfort Ga
New Army.
WILL EQUIP FIVE SPECIAL CARS
Railroad Laboratory Cars Fitted Out
for Emergency In Event Of Out
break Of Epidemics in Canton.
ments and Camps.

Practically all arrangements have
been completed by the Red Cross War
Council by which chapters OF the asso.
citation in all parts of the country will
render material aid In the transporta-
ton OF men to the new army train
Ing camps. The work outlined for the
Red Cross In cooperation with tho
War Department in providing for the
comfort of troops of both the National
Guard and the national army going
from their homes to mobilization camps
and environments was undertaken Mt
the request OF Secretary OF War Baker.
The Red Cross, in announcing that
1T would provide for the comfort Of
the soldiers. says that 200. 300 men Of
the national army will be entrainei
in various parts OF the United States
between September and September o..
1t develops. however. that Provost
Marshal-General Crowder announced
late Saturday substantial change IN
the general mobilization plan, as It
had been previously worked out. and
only 6 per cent of the men will be
called to the colors on that date. On
September 10. 80 per cent will be call.
ed. another 40 per cent October 3. ard
the remaining is per cent as scou
thereafter as possible.
In addition to these national army
men. the railroads are also preparing
to move about $4,000 national guards
men to mobilization camps, with the
result that the Red Cross Will be call
ed upon to provide the necessary food.
drink and refreshments. as well as
any medical aid required. to thousa nds
OF men.
SEE TO COMFORT OF
MEN ON WAY To CAMP
Henry P. Davidson, chairman Of the
Red Cross War Council. he's just Is
sued the following statement:
Tho Secretary of War has directed
that representatives OF the Red Cross
be kept advised as to the movement Of
troop trains. in order that at points
where trains stop Red Cross chapters
for and also in the event of accident or
delay at any unusual point. measures
may be taken to provide food and re-
freshment for the men. The Red Cross
has already issued to it's chapters a
model plan. and suggested organization
for rcfrshment units. the plan having
been worked out by the District Of CO.
been Informed. and is prepared i'm
mediately to undertake the organiza-
tion of the proper equipment.
THE equipment for n single refresh
ment unit provides enough coffee, for
instance. for 1900 men. meal con-
ol COuce, SdHu"lCHeS. SduSaReS
and cold beef. with buns or pie. In case
Of hot weather, iced tea Is expected to
take the place Of coffee. Special prepa-
rations will be made for the sick and
wounded.
ut is expected that at every import
ant junction or place where men arc
transferred or detrained temporarily,
the Red Cross will provide special can
teens and corporate with tho army in
seeing that nothing Is overlooked to
insure the comfort OF the men.
Nothing like this movement Of
troops has ever taken place in this
country before. and. OF course. the Red
Cross has never before undertaken
such task. But as the Red Cross has
increased its membership from 100000
year ago to more than 3,5oo,0o0. tho
number Of It's chapters fron, 200 to
more than 1900. IT is believed that this
volunteer army. largely Of women. who
will thus be mobilized into service,
Will be able to supplement tho work
OF tho army and omit nothing to insure
the comfort Of the men,"
The medical advisory committee Of
the Red Cross War Council has also
announced that II had decided to equip
five laboratory railroad cars for emcr-
gency work against possible outbreaks
of epidemics in environments. Each
car will have a staff OF five or more
experts. and they will be so stationed
that any cantonment may be reached
within twenty-four hours.