The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-01
A CALL TO WOMEN
Quick Request Comes to the
Topeka Red Cross.
Meeting Tuesday To Knit for
SammieS in France.
WINTER WILL SOON Be HERE
Rainy Season First To Catch
Our Troops in Trenches.
Eight Hundred Knitted Sets for
Topeka and Shawnee.
WINTER WILL SOON Be HERE
BY FRANCES l.. KERCHER.

ing to learn, go to the Topeka Red
Cross rooms and join in making knit
ted muff1ers, sweaters, socks and
wristlets, which are desperately need
ed by the men in the trenches in
France before cold weather.
That is the call hich the officers
of the local Red Cross issued to the
patriotic women of Topeka and Shaw
nee county today. Workers are need
ed-women who will give time and
energy to plying knitting needles so
that when the cold winds sweep down
upon the men battling for world free
dom and democracy they will be pro-
vided with these Necessary comforts
The work room of the local Red
Cross chapter will open for the win
ter next Tuesday morning at O'Clock,
at Crosby Brothers store. 1t is the
hope of those in charge that a big
delegation of workers will b. on hand
the very first morning. and give the
heavy winters program a big push
right at the start. Much fin work
was done at the rooms during the
String and summer, but greater pro-
gram for the winter is being planned.
Right now knitters are needed. Only
a few weeks will elapse before winter
will set in. Before the SHOWS and
sleety winds come, and the mercury
does some downward tumbling, these
knitted articles which mean so much
to the men in the trenches, must be
overseas and ready for distribution.
It is work that must be done right
now-and the call sent out to the
women of Topeka and Shawnee county
is for Immediate service.
Begin Shipping at Once.
A cable appeal for the immediate
shipment of supplies to France has
reached the American Red Cross, and
says: Begin shipping at once, one and
one-half million each knitted muf-
flers, sweaters, socks and wristlets.
These are desperately needed before
cold weather. In view of the short
age of fuel and other discomforts,
they will be of incredible value both in
military and civilian work. Last win
ter broke the record for cold and
misery among people here. They in
expressibly dread lest the coming
winter find US without supplies to
meet the situation. 1 urge you on be-
half of our soldiers and those of our
allies who will suffer in the frozen
trenches. Thousands of Belgians and
French refugees and repatriates are
being returned thru Switzerland and
France
That this work should go forward
as rapidly as possible, and with no
chance of falling down." an allotment
of the great task is being made by the
national authorities to the thirteen
division managers of the Red Cross
1t is up to Topeka and Shawnee coun-
ty to do it's share.
Mrs. Charles Mitchell has been
named chairman of the knitting COM
mittee. She appeals to every wo-
mans organization in Topeka and
Shawnee county to participate in this
work. She points out that ladies' aid
societies of the various churches, sew
ing clubs and card clubs, as well as
many other clubs, can be of immense
benefit and aid in bringing the knit
ting program to an early and success
full conclusion.
1.-The necessity for the speedy com
pletion of the knitted work." said
Mrs. Mitchell, must be impressed
upon the heart of every woman and
girl in Topeka and Shawnee county,
It is estimated that this city and
the county will be required to make
not less than 500 of these knitted sets
each set consisting of a sweater.
muffler, wristlets and socks.
Make Candles. Also.
A new branch of the work to be
taken up this winter is candle-making.
Mrs Ralph Brigham has recently re-
turned from Philadelphia where she
completed a course at the Red Cross
headquarters in making candles. These
candles are used by the soldiers in the
heat to warm over soup, meals and
drinks. They have proven themselves
wonderful comfort to a soldier in a
cold and wet trench, and a big supply
is neeQeQ. me WORK OF making these
candles is very interesting. The course
will only be taught on Saturdays. No
one under twelve years of age will be
enrolled in this work.
A candle of this kind is made from
a strip of old newspaper, eight
columns in width. This is folded.
rolled and bound tightly with strong
thread, and then boiled in paraffine
so minutes The size of the completed
candle is seven-eighths of an inch thru
and two and three-eighths of an inch
in length. 1t will burn for two hours,
and besides making very good light
will give off enough heat to warm
over a meal. soups, cocoa and coffee
From three to five dozen of each of
these candles are packed in each box
and shipped with other Red Cross sup
plies. Persons taking the course
should bring newspapers and scissors.
That nothing is wasted at the Red
Cross work rooms said Mrs. Charles
Thomas. chairman, lis proven by the
making of knitted floor cloths to be
used in the Red Cross hospitals. All
scraps are cut and sewed and rolled in
balls, as for carpet rags They are
then knit with coarse needles into IS
inch squares. This work may be done
by young girls who are learning to