Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-12
NEW CENTURY CLUB
TO HELP FRENCH
Local Organization Will Take Part
in the Reconstruction Work
in That Country.

sThe Wilmington, Delaware, New
Century Club Branch of the French War
Relief Committee, Emergency Aid OF
Philadelphiar' It's a long name, repre-
senting a work that will be long lived IN
this country, long remembered in France,
long felt in the friendly relations existing
between France and America. The New
Century Club never entered upon
nro;ect with more enthusiasm than was
shown Yesterday when the monthly meet
ing voted AYE" unanimously to form
this branch. and it looks as though re
construction in France would be the big
gest thing the club has ever taken up.
Then. in order to extend the interest and
the work throughout the State, the Fed
Grafton is to be asked to take it up through
the conservation committee of which Mrs.
Harry Rabv is chairman The clubs
work will be under direction of Mrs.
Arthur Patterson. chairman of conserva-
tion. and Miss Alice Smyth. Mrs. Caleb
Stabler. Mrs. Arthur l.. Bailey and Mrs.
W. c. Speakman.
A fund will be started. in fact, there is
already little given toward 1t, and as
the fund grows the work will grow with it.
The first thing done with the money will
be the rebuilding of the little schoolhouse
at Ribecourt, where, through Mrs. W. c.
Speakman. considerable relief work has
already been done. After the school
house, it is hoped there will be money at
hand TO do other things Of the same kind.
In the villages of Ribecourt, Noyon, Ham
and Lassigny, a great deal of work has
been done by Wilmington people through
Mrs. Speakman At one time $1,000
was cabled over in response to an urgent
call for help, 1000 cans of condensed
milk were sent at another time, and
farmers have been helped, who went
back to their farms after the Germans
Ia been driven out II is all a part of
the great scheme to help the French help
themselves
AND CLOTHING, TOO.
There is another phase of the work,
and that is clothing, which Is OF vital
Importance in France now, where the
soldier doesn't know how he IS TO get
clothes to replace the uniform he has
worn for almost five years Clothing for
noen, women and children is to be col
Iected and made Good secondhand
clothes are especially desired for men and
they Will be called for by the sentinels of
service if Captain Heath Jones, 1917 Del
aware avenue, is notified. Club women
are asked to take small pieces of materials
from homo 10 the club for children's
clothes. They will then be cut out by
the patterns secured from the Emergency
AID and members can take them home
to be made 4 number Of these garments
were displayed yesterday and there were
many ,exclamations of delight over the
clothes for little French boys and girls
II was deemed best by the commit
IL .h.S -.-r.-l- +hr1txrH ha Eynar-
gencv Aid, which is q permanent or
ganization. working with the French
government and the French Red Cross,
because they have facilities for sending
the things over. Mrs. r. B. Rayner, presi
dent Of the club, and the committee
conferred with AIrs. Cornelius Stevenson,
president of the Emergency Aid. and
learned from her what should be done
The meeting was an exceedingly IN
teresting one with many reports from
committees. and at the close there was a
delightful and most appropriate enter
fainment arranged by Mrs. Z. I. Negen-
dank, chairman Of music. As q prologue
there were knitting and sewing songs
by little girls. daughters Of club members.
and then there ", re a tableau and songs
by the Allies" Mrs Julian Adair, cos
TUNED to represent England, sang Rule
Britannia Mrs John Brady as Belgium
sang the national HYMN Of that country;
Mrs j. r Haskell sang the Italian hymn
Miss Ethel Wilson THE MarseilIaise, =
and Mrs Negendank as Columbia sang
THE Star-Spangled Banner, with every
body joining IN.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Mrs Z. P. Moody was appointed
chairman OF a committee to receive renew |
ais and to solicit new members for the |
Red Cross Roll Call. They will have a |
booth in the postoffice.
Mrs. ". H. Beacon. corresponding |
reported a complete member |
ship of GOO. and 4 on the waiting list
Mrs. William Blatz, chairman of the |
committee, reported that the |
will be celebrated on Saturday |
evening, January lS from 6 TO 10 o clock. |
Mile. Marguerite Clement Of the French |
High Commission, graduate OF the Uni |
verslty OF Paris, representative of the |
French government for American Womens |
Colleges and Public Schools. will speak at |
.he club on January 10. This was an |
1ounced by the chairman of entertain |
nent, Mrs. O. c. Purdv Mrs Purdy |
stated that France will be the pre- |
subject for this season s |
ectures. Also during January there will |
,e lecture, The Literature of France"
oy Leon Vincent, and one on Victor Hugo |
II February.
The list Of books. "A Reading Trip |
Through France, was reported ready for
distribution by Miss Mather, chairman Of |
library and literature Another 'Voy-
tgers' Library" Is ready and will be sent |
% the workhouse for Christmas
Mrs. T.. p Moody reported that the I
.lub's War Work Campaign Fund con |
had amounted to 81 ,312.50 |
This was given by l49 persons, all of |
hem club members except seven.
Canadian painters are demanding leg |
slat ton for occupati0nal diseases.