Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-07
NATIONAL SPECIAL AID
SOCIETY HASD. BRANCH
Purpose Is to Mobilize Women Of
Country for Services, and, If
Needed, for Wider Fields.

A branch of the National Special Aid
Society. organized in New York two
years ago. has been established IN TINS
CITY. with quarters in the Munsey build
ing. The society was organized IN
January. 1915, to mobilize women
throughout the country for service TO
the country. and, when occasion arises,
In the wider needs of humanity.
To accomplish it's purposes, the So
ciety, which is permanent, non-parti-
san. patriotic body, has organized
chapters in various states. which are
centers of local activity. These chap
canism in such different forms of work
and study as shall carry out the aims
OF the organization. cooperating with
and helping to coordinate existing
workers and agencies.
One of the principal objects of the
society is to raise funds for training
aviators for an aerial coast defense pa
troll. All of the chapters are taking an
active interest in the line of work.
Other activities of the organization in
clude rolling surgical dressings. knit
ting sweaters, gloves, muff1ers for sail
ors; gardening in all of its branches;
home economics lectures: patriotic lee
lures: automobile instruction classes;
wireless and signaling classes: encour-
aging enliStments for the Army, Navy
and Marine Corps.
Service pledges have been sent
throughout the country. In this pledge
is listed a number of activities in
which women can serve their country.
This includes agriculture. clerical Serv-
Ice. manufa curing and mechanical,
personal and domestic service, profess
sfonal service; public service, Transport
tation. trade and contribution.
Chapters Have Same Activities.
Chapters have the same activities
and mobilize their members by the
pledges. For example. in case of ex-
ploslon or accidents, a New Jersey
chapter has fifty beds ready in private
houses for occupancy at a half an
hours notice and nurses to attend the
injured patients.
The commissary committee is ready
to see that soldiers are properly cared
Tor while going through a town. and
beans to be used en- route. 1t has
classes in diet cooking held in the high
school buildings, in home economics
and first aid.
plished great deal of work. 1t has
sent hospital supplies and clothing to
Belgium, Russia, Poland, Servia, the
Caucasus. Mesopotamia, Montenegro.
York city alone more than 400 women
have been employed in making gar
ments. and have supported themselves
by this work. Carloads of grain and
clothing also have been sent to Mexico.
Hospital for Aviation Camp.
A small base hospital has been fitted
up at aviation camp at Bay Shore. L. 1.
The society IS also working to present
technical books to aviation camps.
Four automobiles have been donated
by the organization to different
branches of the military service. Maj.
Gen. George Barnett. commandant of
the Marine Corps. sent a letter of
thanks to the society's headquarters in
New York, for the machine that was
presented to the Marine Corps. These
automobiles are being used for re-
cruiting purposes.
Mrs. William Alexander is president
and Mrs. Charles Frederick Hoffman is
vice president of the organization. Mrs
Eliot Butler Whiting Of the board OF
directors. who also has direct charge
of the chapters and is chairman Of the
patriotic committee, has come to Wash
1ngton see how the work of the Wash
1ngton branch is getting along.