The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1917-08-23
ORGANIZE PURPLE
CROSS FOR DEAD
NEW ORGANIZATION PLANNED
TO CARE FOR BODIES OF
THOSE KILLED IN WAR.
WILL SUPPLEMENT WORK OF REQ CROSS
Patriotic Physicians and Embalmers
Offer Services to Government
During Service Abroad.

y new organization for var work
in connection with our lighting forces
has been started and that it is Of
great Importance is the opinion of the
higher officers of the army. 1t is the
American Purple Cross Association,
was discovered some little time ago
that no provision had been made for
the care OF the bodies of the soldiers
who fell in battle. SO this society
was Incorporated with DR.. Howard S.
Eckels, as director general and DR.
Jay II. Mowbray, as field director,
both Of Philadelphia. Major General
J.. II. Good was made treasurer. The
other officers OF the society include
prominent men, and several governors
OF states, The governor Of Missouri
has offered to leave the work of his
Office and go to the front with this
new organization.
The following offer has been made
the good of the soldiers who die.
1--WE will furnish such numbers OF
embalmers as is necessary to preserve
bodies of all soldiers who die in bat
tie or in hospitals. VIII divide them
into such units as is directed by the
war department. VIII equip and
train men. VIII furnish all necessary
field ambulances for the work. VIII
pay all expenses of equipment, train
ing. transportation and maintenance.
VIII arrange to have men enlisted as
provided by the wal office. Only ask
ing that these units may be allowed
TO keep their individual formation"
The plan has beer approved by the
Secretary of War and a bill is no"
before congress to give official ac-
ceptance of the plan.
DR.. Mowbray a y regarding the
idea, 1--WE now have $150,000 pledged
for the work and can raise several
millions as soon as we are approved
bv congress. The bodies will be en-
balmed in the first line trenches or
as close as possible. They will then
be taken from the battle line and in
TERED until after the war. BY our
up-to-date methods and process used,
they will be recognizable for years
and will be in a splendid state or
preservation when brought TO this
country"
The PENNSYLVANIA Legislature has
approved the idea and sent a reso-
luton to congress praying that 1t be
adopted. It IL hoped that every one
who reads of this organization and
feels that it will be of service to the
friends of soldiers who may die in
battle or in hospital, will write to
their congressmen and senators urg-
ing them to support the bin and hast
en- its passage.
Active membership in the society,
from whom will be taken the men VINO
VIII perform the work on the field,
VIII be limited to those who have
made the care Of bodies their life
work and affiliated industries.
With all of our scientific arrange
ments for the care of sick and wound
cd it seems to be the very wisest
thing that we could undertake. this
care of the bodies Of those who will
be our nations heroes Memories Of
the poor service that was rendered in
other wars in caring for the bodies
OF the dead, make this organization
one which has a powerful, though
molrnful appeal to all those who have
friends or loved one in the service
Of he nation on foreign fields. 1t
means that American ingenuity and
skill will follow the flag wherever it
goes, in the care Of the dead, as well
a. IS care for the living.