The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-08-10
ARMY WILL BRING
HOME THE KILLED
Plans of Philadelphians to Embaln
Heroes Approved by Government.

Untiring efforts Of two Philadel-
phians have made it possible for the
bringing back to this country, for
burial, soldiers and marines who may
lose their lives while fighting in
France. Following the war, every man
who is killed abroad will be sent to
this country and placed at the disposal
of his relatives or friends for inter-
ment. Even should the conflict contin-
ue for several years it will be possible,
at that time, under the present plan,
to recognize the bodies of the dead he
roes.
Memory of the horrible condition
of the bodies sent home for burial fol-
lowing the clash between American
blue jackets and Mexicans at Vera
Cruz several years ago, caused DR..
Howard S. Eckels of Wyncote, and DR..
Jay II. Mowbray of Swarthmore, to de-
wise plan for caring for the bodies of
the soldiers and marines killed in Eu-
rope.
Accordingly few weeks ago the
American Purple Cross Association
was formed and Incorporated under
the laws of the district of Columbia.
DR.. Eckels was named director general
Major General ]. Lewis Good, treas
urer, and DR.. Mowbray field director
The associations active membership is
'limited to those who have made care
of bodies their life profession, and of
those affiliated industries" The trus-
tees and other officers are prominent
men of the country, including govern
ors and millionaire officials of large
manufacturing plants.
Discovering that no modern system
had been devised by government Off
Gals for taking care of the soldier
dead in France, officials of the Ameri-
can Purple Cross Association imme-
diately held conference with Secreta-
ry of War Baker and presented a plan
that promises to revolutionize and re-
move one of the most grewsome fea-
lures from modern warfare.
1t was suggested that the American
Purple Cross Association should bear
the same relation to the quarter-mas-
ter generals department as the Red
Cross does to the Medical Department.
Major General Henry G. Sharp, Quar-
ter-Master General of the United
States Army greeted the plan with en-
thusiasm and series of, conferences,
covering the best part of a week were
held in his Washington Offices.
DR.. Eckels and DR.. Mowbray made
the following offer to the government:
eve will furnish such number of en-
balmers for the preservation of the
bodies of soldiers killed in battles OF
dying in hospitals as you may deem
necessary for the purpose.
eve will divide these into such units
as you may direct.
1--WE will equip and train these men
eve will furnish sucn number of au.
tomobile ambulances as will be neces-
sary for this service.
I'VE viii pay all expenses incident
to their equipment, training, transpor.
tation and maintenance.
"These will be available for all san,
itary work, asking only that these may
be allowed to keep their own individ
ual formation.
IF it be your wish that we be incor.
porated in the army organization, we
will arrange to be enlisted as individ.
uals and assigned as you may direct.
Major General Sharp reported ia.
vorably upon the recommendations
and shortly afterward the following
letter, signed by Brigadier General H
P. McClain, Adjutant General of the
Army, was received by the officers Of
the American Purple Cross Associa
ton:
"The Secretary of War directs me
to inform you that the subject matter
of your several communications in re
gard to an expert body of mortuary
specialists for service with our militia
ry forces abroad has been given care
full consideration. 1t has been decid
ed that suitable organization for thii
force shall be adopted for service il