Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1918-09-18
Clothing for the Refugees.

Back of the German wall that has
hemmed in Belgium and a part of
Northern France, ten million human
beings look to us for clothing as we'll
as food. We, who are well clothed,
can hardly appreciate in what dire
need these people are for lack of ne
cessities. Stocks of clothing and
raw material are long since exhaust
ed. There are no imports other than
those the Commission for Relief in
Belgium has been permitted to make,
and these never have been sufficient.
The world is now short of both cloth
ing and raw material, so the Commits
sion can no longer purchase what is
needed. But you can give it,
Every household in the land has
I some spare clothing, worn or out
grown, of little use here, but desper-
ately needed by the destitute there.
This extract from letter of a we'll
to-do lady of Brussels shows the con-
ditions exactly.
"Perhaps you will laugh when you
hear that I wear a cloak made from
my husbands garde civique overcoat,
waist made from his football shirt,
and a skirt made Of a dyed bedsheet.
Mother had suit made of the table
cloth, J and M have cloaks made of
wooden blankets and S dress made
of burlap. But all this is amusing
in comparison with the wretchedness
of the population. After all, we re-
main calm and confident of victory,
A recent Brussels advertisement
says: "I will give up to 125 francs
(S25) for new or worn bedsheets."
There is an immediate need for every
sort of garments, blankets, sheets
and shoes.
The very wonderful results of the
clothing campaign of last March as
sisted in helping to meet the demands
but when we realize that there are
ten million inhabitants in the occu-
pied regions, most of whom must look
to the outside world for protection
against the rigors of winter, it is
seen that we cannot send too much
AS long as the war lasts Belgium and
occupied France must depend chiefly
on America for aid. To insure the
steady supply of garments which are
so much needed, we appeal again to
the generosity of the American public
to give and give largely.
Every kind of garment, for all ages
and both sexes, is urgently needed.
In addition, piece goods light, warm
canton flannel and other kinds of
cloth from which to make garments
for newborn babies, ticking, sheeting
and blankets, wooden goods Of any
kind-and shoes of every size are
asked for. Scrap leather is needed
for repairing footwear.
Since the clothes will be subjected
to the hardest kind of wear, only gar
ments made of strong and durable
materials should be sent. 1t is use
less to offer to any afflicted popula-
tion garments of f1imsy material or
gaudy coloring. Make the gifts
practical.
Garments need not be in perfect
condition. A hundred thousand des-
titute women in the occupied regions
are eager to earn a small livelihood by
repairing gift clothing and making
new garments adapted to needs with
which they are familiar.
Woolen goods of any kind what
soever are acceptable; soft hats and
caps for all ages, and sweaters of any
kind and size.
Mems shirts and pajamas, so worn
or shrunke1 as no longer to be ser
viceable are particularly welcome,
since the material can be utilized
for making children's garments.
DO NOT SEND
Garments of fimsy materials or
guady coloring, ball dresses, high
heel slippers, etc.
Stiff hats, either mems or women's,
straw, dress or derby.
Anything containing rubber, rain
coats, rubber boots, etc.
Note: Rubber heels can easily be
removed from shoes.
Books, toys, soap, toilet articles:
Notes or communications of any
sort or description must positively not
be sent.