Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-20

ID. u. July 0.-WaSnlnSJOn Is
wv hot with an intense midsummer heat that
scorches, and sOftens the asphalt on the
streets Electric fans and an occasional thunder
storm are about all that keep the population
going. And still those of elaborate
limousnes and Pekinese dogs, our so-called
American society do not leave.
Never has there been such a summer social
season in Washington. In the first place. there
the various missions from foreign countries to
keep people here. Just everybody is making
preparations to go to Newport Bar Harbor
the Catskills, a fresh mission from some other
country arrives; Immediately numerous social
events are planned, and likes to miss them.
Neither, one society woman puts it. do the ladies
like to desert Mrs. Lansing in her hour of need.
AS the wife of the secretary of state, she is
uraly expected to take charge of the entertain
ment OF the nation foreign guests, task to which
she is well fitted by her personal tact and charm,
but in which she is somewhat handicapped by the
heat. 1t is hard to arouse society to any great
degree of energy in weather like this, and just
people learn to pronounce the names of one mis-
sion another arrives-which, of course, is extreme
ly fatguing.
But it is not often that Washington society is
able to entertain anything interesting as mis-
sion, and the big homes Massachusetts, ave-
nue. and Sixteenth street. which by July usual
ly tightly boarded up and packed away in camphor,
remain open, with large assortment of flags fut-
tering from the upstairs windows
The continuance of congress- too has kept a
large number of senator's and congressmens fam
lilies here. The country clubs, with their golf
courses. serve to keep the nations legislators sup
piled with plenty of exercise and mild diversion.
For the women the would be exceedingly
dull II 1t were not for new and absorbing interest
war work.
On the women of leisure throughout the United
States the war has placed many responsibilities.
The working woman will give all she can when
she gives her services to the government Very
few will be able to give money. If a woman works
in factory, Office a hospital she is
doing her share to win the war. 1t remains for
the women of leisure and wealth to take care of
these women and of our soldiers.
Washington society is enthusiastic over
the prospect of relief work-it might be thought,
almost too enthusiastic, remembering that the
flame which is kindled quickly usually lives but
short time Committees have sprung up every
where like tents reared suddenly overnight One
day house will be vacant, and the next it will
bear sign announcing that it is the headquarters
of the Women's National League for Relief Work,
or comfort committee No. of the American Red
Cross, the national united service of women or
some kindred organization.
Early last spring the Red Cross held a mass
meeting of Washington women which was presided
over by Miss Mabel Boardman. Committees were
formed to organize the nurses of the district, to
mobilize pleasure cars, to provide surgical dress
ings, and comforts for soldiers at the front.
This Red Cross work is thoroughly systema-
tized and going rapidly forward to the European
front. Hundreds of nurses prepared to take
up their duties in the military hospitals as soon
wounded begin to be returned from the
front. Mrs. Hartman and Miss Alice Shepherd are
the drivers of two wel-equipped Red Cross ambu-
lances and have already put them into use by
bringing sick soldiers from the training CAMPS 10
the city hospitals. Surgical dressings and com
forts" piling up in government warehouses
This work is not entirely in the hands of socf-
ETY. women. There dressmakers who give two
or three hours out of the day cutting garments
in the committee rooms there government
clerks who type Red Cross mail after hours, and
on one committee one of the most valued men,