Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1918-02-07

EDITORS NOTE: This is the first Of
Ieries of five articles prepared by James
the, American Red Cross in Oh; ,, Indiana
and Kentucky; The subjects of thu 'therr
four articles In the series are: What
Red Cross Home Service Is" Fin ncial
Aid In Home Service" What Has Been
organizing and Training 10000 Home
Service Committeeman"
BY James l. Fieser,
Director, Civilian Relief, Lake Divi.
sion, American Red Cross
Two new words-Home Service
are taking important places in the
vocabulary and activity of the S56
American Red Cross chapters in Ohio,
Indiana and Kentucky.
At wars outbreak ten months ago
to the few chapters then organized
Red Cross work and popular knowl-
edge OF it centered only around prep
aratiol of hospital supplies, equip.
ment OF base hospitals and supplying
their personnel, and provisions of re-
lief in times of disaster.
Then came the unfolding of null
titude of other chapter obligations
solicitation Of war funds, driving for
increased membership, organization OF
school auxiliaries, turning out huge
quotas of knitted articles, surgical
dressings and Christmas packets.
Among these obligations-model of
1917-was the organization Of Home
Service committees, better known in
some communities as civilian relief
committees. Frequently the activi-
ties of the Home Service committees
were belittled by other chapter com
mittees. This because importance of
Home Service had not been clearly
defined. Now, through the efforts Of
the Bureau of Civilian Relief of the
Lake Division, headquarters at Cleve.
land, chapters have come to clear
understanding OF the vitalness of Red
Cross Home Service in relation to war
and complete victory.
But to the general public, notably
in the so-called rural communities,
Home Service is little better under
stood than it was by the chapters a
matter of five months back.
So, what is Red Cross Home Service
and why?
Home Service must be. the nations
assurance that the enlisted and con
scripted mans family shall not suffer
for want of any essential thing within
the power of the nation to give.
The PubIie's Conception.
EYES," says Mr.. Average Citizen
"but isn't the government providing
war risk insurance, and will II not pro
vide separation allowance where
necessary? Isn't it a fact that but
few men with dependents have beer
called to arms?"
Mr.. Average Citizen is correct, but
he is thinking only in terms Of money
relief. And II IS to convince him that
administration of money relief is only
one of many features Of Home Serv'
ice that this series of articles on the
rudiments OF Home Service have beer
prepared.
Scan this brief summary Of the op
! portunities confronting Home Service
committees in your county and vol
will agree that the opportunities hav,
become the duty and privilege of al
outstanding, patriotic, American citi
zenship.
|. Conservation by service of hu
man resources wherever deterioration
is threatened in a soldiers or sail
or's home
3. Temporary relief of families II
which there has been delay in pay
ments, or in which there is an emer
gency.
3. Responsibility for regular ant
continued assistance in cases no
covered by government allowance
this includes families in need and res
ident in the United States Of men whit
are In the service of our allies.
A. Personal service to the returned
soldier or sailor, especially when h
Is disabled.
:. An information service whicl
will save time, trouble and anxiety 70
lonely relatives of enlisted men.
G. Advancement of home standard
wherever possible. but especial.
when the lack of help is likely I,
cause family disintegration.
Sustains Soldiers Morale.
Men may be the best soldiers II
the world Il quote you from tn,
Manual of Home Service issued b!
American Red Cross headquarters
Washington, but IL things are no
we'll with their families at home, the!
lose efficiency through worry, and tn
morale Of the army-that all i'm
portant factor-begins to~tail.
$50 II is the patriotic duty as wei
as the humanitarian opportunity o
Home Service workers OF the Ameri
can Red Cross to care for lonely fam
lilies Of our fighting men. II Is 10 b.
remembered that they soon will b.
fighting mem in real earnest. No
only our enemies, but our allies, ant
the American people as well, will b,
watching them.
every report from the traininl
camps and from the French from
mentions the excellent spirit Of oui
troops, WIN they maintain thi,
morale while thousands OF miles from
home, through trench life and battle
to the victorious end?
"THE ANSWER WILL BE DE
TERMINED LARGELY BY TIL
HOME SERVICE OF THE AMERl
CAN RED CROSS"
interesting Experiment.