The Washington herald., 1917-10-07

dustry 10 meet new conditionf' N
has moboiized 41.oop miles OF rzilrosd.
mobilised the county's means Of COM
municztion by wire. made an invent
ory OF American industry, and iustl-
tuted q systematic scheme OF pur.
chases which has resulted In great
economies. The council procured g.
90, 900 pounds OF copper for rovern.
ment use AT a considerable REDUCTION
under market price. and brought al
vsntageous contracts on steel, rinc
and aluminium -
With the aid OF the couneIl, business
men IN all sections OF the country Are
assisting the Quzrterrnaster corps An
economical and eficient purchase OF
war supplies. and there mas been a
coordination Of purchasing methods
through the general munition, board.
The committee on supplies Of the
council has brought business rnethod,
TO bear on government purchases. In
creating q woman's committee and
through other advisory boards. the 4
council has rendered invaluabie aldi
TO the executive departments An the
conduct OF the war.
This board is enforcing. under tb.
direction of the President and BY vir1
N1S VI NJ INOtAhInkhOlEs Inc lar
reaching authority conferred by thai
section Of the espionage law making
certain exports In time OF war unlsW-
ful." The President has issued proo-
lamations governing the restriction Of
exports and providing a system Of H.
censes. shippers have been instructed
by the bord concerning these licenses,
and the Executive Administrative
Board. probably more than any other
governmental agency. is now brought
In direct contact with American bust
ness az IL relates to foreign trade.
The new board hss been vested with
the executive administration Of An
instructions issued by the President
regarding exports and embafgoes. and
In conjunction with the advisory eY-
ports council, is now engaged in con-
serving the food supply OF this coun-
try and regulating its export 80 thai
the products Of America VIII not reach
her enemies
The Americas Red Cross.
Since the organization OF the RED
Cross War Council Of May 10. the
activities OF the American Rsd Cross
have branched in many directions.
Following the raising Of a war fund
OF over 10o.ooo.ooo the chief thester Of
work has been IN connection with
American troops. French troops and
the civilian population IN Francs. Al
ready more than $4,000 900 has heen
appropriated by the War Council for
this work abroad sa-
The principal activities OF the Red
Cross Commission in France. headed
by Maj. Grayson Mp. Murphy. IN
cludes the establishment Of canteeus
for every corps OF the French and
American armies, the operation OF
hospitals IN Paris and elsewhere, the
building OF large hospital at Evian
near the Swiss frontier for the re
ception and care OF repatriated
French people and the founding Of
hostels for the care Of French chill
dren and orphans.
In addition. the commission %
France has established a Red Gross
Supply Service with thirteen ware
houses throughout the various French
departments. This system il already
distributing st1ut 1900 tons OF Sup
plies monthly to hospitals in Franc.
formerly served by various American
war ship societies.
The commission TO France has also
undertaken the rehabilitation OF sew
eral French villages as an experiment.
and in cooperation with the Rocke-
feller Institute is aiding in the fight
against tuberculosis throughout
France.
Red Cross commissions are also sc-
lively at work studying the peesibiB-
ties of American aid I'D Russfx, Rot
mania. Italy and Serbia, and Already
more than S.ooo. 600 worth OF medicines
and drugs have been forwarded 90
these countries
In the United States the princirsl
work OF the Red Cross IN the nrst
six months OF the war has been prin-
| cipally In the csntonments of the Ma
tionsl Army and the National Guard.
Field directors have been appointed
( for each one OF the camps and each
has been supplied with warehouses ann
a stock OF medical and general arti-
cles for use Of the enlisted men.
Units of the Red Cross sauitsrF
Service are cooperating with public
health authorities in the districts sur.
rounding sixteen OF the cantonmentS
preventing the outbreak OF epidemics.
or the spread OF unsanitary condi-
tions TO the civil population surround
ing the camps.
In addition. the Red Cross chapters
have undertaken TO knit l-6lo 900 setF
OF sweaters. muffiers and wristtets
for American soldiers. abroad and IN
the camps, and TO supply each soldier
with a Christmas present. consisting
Of comfort kit and a special Christ
mas package.
Through the department OF hon,s
service, the Red Cross is also look
ing after the families Of soldiers aud
supplementing government aid with
personal assistance In looking after
problems OF the householder. arising
In the absence OF its head.