Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-24
saassssstssTs.Ts RELIEF &ssaRRss.

Business men % the country VIVA
| have been solicited by hundred and
one different relief associations and
who have been contributing TO many
on the theory that some Of them might
be doing good IN this terrible war Will
Re greatly pleased to know that Cen
eral Pershing has brought about con-
centrat;on Of war relief work in gem
erai clearing house OF relief associa-
lions which Will hereafter turn over
10 the Red Cross and the Y. NJ. c. A.
an Of the funds collected for their var
ious purposes.
Il was necessary that order be
brought out OF chaos in this way for
the fear was strong that there vas lost
motion and duplication OF expense for
administration in the multiplicity OF
societies.
The following telegram 10 the Red
Cross from General Pershing has been
approved and endorsed by the officers
OF dozen OF the more prominent war
relief associations:
Reference telegram regarding Red
Cross situation sent you by represent
atives here, their statement was pre-
pared after consultation with me and
meets with my entire approval. Red
Cross service here is being systeu7at-
.cally organized on practical basis and
~, Aaa- ~,
under one control as far as possible.
Conditions to De met in France his
winter are serious and organization OF
Red Cross as well as Y NJ. c. A. must
De thoroughly completed in advance.
This work OF Red Cross Will be for
American soldiers, French soldiers and
for deserving French people who have
suffered from the three years OF war.
Il involves tremendous task and must
De supported by expenditures Of large
sums OF money. The work cannot be
done without thorough organization
along military lines which Red Cross
officials here are rapidly perfecting.
Consider Red Cross mana cement here
extremely proficient and worthy o:
unqualified support from you and our
whole people. Pershing."
AS the need for an associated char
tiles and central clearing house for
CIR cities has long hsan met or pGr-
poses OF efficiency so the same need in
the war relief work is to be met by
turning over TO the Ped Cross and the
Y u. c. A. the work Of carrying to
o;A -. S,--
rate societies. The army and navy
recognize these TWO agencies and give
them semi official recognition IN the
allowance Of space in ships and army
transports on land.
At home the people should receive
the message and concentrate their eff
forts into support Of these same two
great organizations. Even the library
work which Is planned for the army
camps had better be managed under
the supervision Of the Y. VI. c. a. Men
asked TO contribute would prefer TO
trus. the viril judgment OF the Y. u.
c. A. personnel as to the kind Of books
needed and number than to attempt
to build libraries at the camps and
stock thera ueedlessly with books
that soldiers might not desire. The IL
brary association can present a strong
er appeal for support Il It will operate
thru the Y. NJ. G. A. as its agency.
With a state library and city library
~ Des Moines TO draw upon the Y &.
NJ. C. A. buildings ough: to be able
TO provide library equipment for one
army camp at least There are mil
lions upon millions Of books in priv
ate homes that can be had for the ask
ing Il some authorized committee
would announce what books were
wanted. We are in as much danger Of
duplication Of effort and waste of en-
ergy in our work Of raising relic:
funds at home as In the relief work
abroad unless we concentrate on the
two great agencies now recognized by
the army and navy, the Red Cross and
the 7. N. c. 4. Let's stick to them,
largely, for the expenditure Of all army
aid funds when raised.