Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-22
ARMY RELIEF SOCIETY
ASKS FOR ASSISTANCE
After Long Silence, Helpers Plead
That People Support Aid for
American Dependents.
DONE INDEPENDENTLY IN PAST
Organization Plans to Collect Funds
and Provide Relief In Case of
Emergency for Widows and Or
phans OF Army Men.


NEW YORK. April 2i.-With the
coming Of war TO the United States.
the needs Of the American Army Re-
lief society have become 50 urgent
that an appeal TO the general public
has been made in order that the work
in behalf OF the dependents OF the
United States regulars. American citi-
zens Of the sturdiest fiber who neither
ask nor accept aid except in the direst
extremity, may continue with redoubled
energy.
The widows and childrep Of the men
of the regular army are invariably
anxious 10 become self-supportinG and
usually prefer. il possible. to accept
loans which they can repay. The fol-
lowing letter is typical Of the sturdy
American selfreiiance OF the army
widow. She. the mother OF boy who
was helped to take course in cleo
tricity. writes az follows to the chair
man Of the education committee:
He is now working, and az he gains
experience will he advanced to a better
position. The Army Relief has given
him the means Of providing a fair liv-
ing and now I will ask that this as
sistance be withdrawn. 1t has been
boon TO us. for without II we would
have been in actual need but ! feel
Il would not be honest TO take this
help longer than is absolutely neces-
sary. have only to repeat my sincere
and heartfelt gratitude for the kind
ness and help extended TO us"
Ever since the formation Of this so
ciety in 1900 the work has been carried
on. mostly by army men and women.
independent OF the general public. al
though the budget for this year pro-
vides for the disbursement of $4,000.
Its membership consists largely Of the
officers Of the regular army and their
families who contribute regularly 10
the fund through the branches and
sections located in the various parts
throughout the United States and its
possessions. According to the articles
of incorporation the purposes OF the
Army Relief Society are:
ITO collect funds and provide relief
In case Of emergency for dependent
widows and orphans of officers and en-
United States TO aid in securing en-
pioyment for them and TO solicit and
create scholarships and supervise edu-
cational opportunities for such orphan
children"
INCREASE IN ARMY
WILL MEAN MORE
The contemplated increase in the
regular army will mean a great in
u-h
war will. OF course. multiply many
times over. In making this appeal for
funds. the committee says:
1T is the regular army on which the
country relies TO safeguard its national
interests and protect its liberties in
time OF peace as we'll as in time OF
war. just as We rely upon the municipal
police for the protection of our local
interests. and yet the officers and men
OF the regular army, although per-
forming far more important ano
dignified function. are not as well paid
while in active service or their families
provided for as literally at death, as
are those OF our local police. The gem
eral law Of the United states allows
pension OF but $40 a month, or $3.50
year TO the widows of the highest Of
fcers OF the army. The scale decreases
Of the enlisted man receiving but sl2
month. For each child the sum of
50 month is allowed. 1t was 10
supplement this meager allowance that
the Army Relief Society was formed"
Attention has been called to the fact
that the United States has been, and
is now. contributing generously TO re-
lief funds for all the nations at war.
The time has come says the appeal.
when the American people should take
more active and intelligent interest
in the regular army OF the United
states The work OF the Army Relief
Society should appeal to every patriotic
American"
contributions. however small. will he
gratefully received and acknowledged,
and every cent OF every contribution
will go TO the people for whom ii is
intended. The Army Relief Society has
no paid secretaries, no overhead ex-
pense-no expenses of any kind.
Checks should be made payable to Mrs
Richard G.. Colt. 43o Park Avenue. New
York City.
is Mrs. Daniel $. Lamont.
EnlH ar, M WOOD
W e sss,n s +, Mrs Y George NJ s'ernbers'
Among the honorary vice presidents are:
President Wilson. William II. Taft! Theo-
dore Roosevelt. Eiihu Root Henry H. Slim
son. Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles.
Frederick Frelinghuysen, Charles s.; ".
Packard. Mrs. Thomas II. Barry. Miss Grace
Bigelov. Mrs. John II. Brooke. Mrs. Adna
r. Chafee. Mrs. Henry. c. Corhin. Mrs. o.
r. Ernst. Mrs. Frederick D. Grant Mrs.
Albert l.. Mills. Mrs. Robert s. oliver Mrs.
James Parker. Mrs. Douglas Robinson Mrs.
Herbert J.. Satterlee.
The trustees are: Levi r. Morton Cor
neius y. Bliss. Jr, CornsIius Vanderbilt
WOMEN AID GUARD
AS LEGISLATURE FAILS
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