American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-10-01
RED CROSS HOME SERVICE.

-
The War Council Of the American
Red Cross has planned TO issue a series
Of reports to the American people
concerning the use of the first Red
Cross war fund OF 800. 900, 900 and
the plans SO far perfected for future
work.
The first section OF these reports, is
sued September 2, covers the work Of
the Red Cross in caring for the families
at home OF Americas men In militant
service. The report on this subject is
as follows:
More than 300, 900 families Of Amer
lean men in service have been relieved
OF money troubles, legal difficulties.
family worries. or of depressing lone
Illness by the Home Service Of the Red
Cross. This branch OF Red Cross ac-
tiyity has $4,000 men and women SER
wing on IT'S 10000 Home Service com
mittees. II has reached into remote
communities where there had never
teen organized social effort before. II
has established the closest coopera-
ton In the larger centers OF popula-
lion with the organized agencies Of
public welfare. II is spreading a doc
trine OF intelligent substantial neigh
borliness on behalf OF the fighters
families and backing II with an ex-
penditure OF more than $500. 900 a
month
These expenditures have been made
out OF moneys raised in the communi-
ties themselves, and reserved from
the amount contributed to the nation
al Red Cross fund. The direction OF
each town and county's Home Ser
vice work is left to local committees.
National headquarters Is seeking only
10 guide In the organization OF the
neighborliness OF each town for its
own men In khaki.
More than 100000 people have
been helped by these local committees
since the war began. Money has been.
certainly. the least valuable contri-
button Of Home Service to the welfare
Of communities since men began to
go into training camps, hut IL amount
ed to 81 500. 900 for the first six months
OF the present year and will probably
exceed 81 1900 900 for the second half
OF the year. by January 1. 1919. Red
Cross will have spent In Home Ser
vice work a total of SO. 1000. 900 and
Will then be carrying a burden. prob
ably. of nearly 81. 600. 900 a month.
More important than the money are
the other kinds OF help that are be-
ing freely given. Problems IN sol
diers and sailors families have arisen
from sickness, worry. backward or UNI
ruly children. perplexities In house
hold management, business and legal
tangles. mental depression and some
times mere longing for the man gone
away. These things keep soldiers fam
lilies from happiness sometimes when
there is no actual pressing need for
funds and Home Service committees,
by enlisting the services Of physi-
clans. lawyers, business men, success
full housekeepers. have successfully
aided thousands of families to over
come such troubles.
Difficulties arise out of the failure
OF some dependents to receive their
allowances or allotments under the
War Risk insurance law. At least
60. 1000 Inquiries concerning such pay
ments were received by the Red Cross
through Home Service committees dur
ing the month of July and more than
a third OF those were taken clear
through to headquarters by the in
formation service in the effort to gel
matters Strengthened out.
AS a further contribution to tn,
morale OF the American armies HON,
Service workers are carrying on ;
nation wide campaign 10 encourage tn,
writing of cheerful letters in ordei
that soldiers shall not be alarmed
about their loved ones left behind.
The purpose of Home Service. sane
, toned by the army and navy and b,
President Wilson. are to conserve
human our in fighters families
to relieve emergencies. to supplement
government provision for dependents
to aid disabled soldiers. to supply in
formation OF any kind TO men in ser
vice or to their families. to help fam
, ilies to keep pace with fighters whu
are getting a broader outlook on life
aud TO help maintain the morale o
our army and navy by safeguardinI
homes. Home Service has enliste,
help from all creeds and races and /
extending It's aid to every person VIII.
will accept il regardless of rank. re
ligion. or color. Ii is % charity. bu
only that neighbOrliness which is du
every fighter from the people of tn.
whole United States.