The Adair County news., 1918-06-12
BY James /. Fieser,

BY James L. Fieser,
Director, Bureau Civilian Relief, Lake
Division, American Red Cross.
American Red Cross Home Service
workers in Ohio, Indiana and Ken
tucky, already administering to fami-
lies Of some 1900 enlisted men, carry
on their work with a "oatechism"
which includes what may be termed
"eleven commandments" AS these
commandment" typify the spirit in
which this type of Red Cross relief is
given, / am stating them here, leav-
ing the reader to draw his own con-
illusions.
1. Don't overwhelm people with
questions before they have a chance
to say what they want to say.
2. Don't suggest to them the an
swers they should make.
8. Don't forget that their hopes
and plans are more important than
any single fact that the Home Service
worker wants in order to make COM
plete a report or record.
4. Don't encourage the children to
talk about things that concern their
elders-about family difficulties and
so on.
8. Don't let the children come to
the Office with messages and requests
except when there is real emergency
and no older person can possibly
come.
6. Don't discuss the affairs of q
family, nor tell the facts that come
to your attention in the course Of
Home Service work to any outsider
z. Don't give confidential informa-
tion about the family when MAXIM
inquiries.
8. Don't make inquiries Of the
present neighbors or do anything that
viii expose the family to gossip. Pro-
tect the family in question as you
would your own family from anything
that would help their self-respect.
9. Don't venture to make perma-
Asnt plans on a first visit
10. Don't fail to discover whether
there is immediate and urgent need
OF relief and to make some temporary
provision for supplying it before
waiting to make further inquiries.
IL. Don't fail, however, to inquire
(before paying the first visit II posi-
ble) what other agencies are inter
ested.
True, the dos" taught Home Serv-
fee workers in Red Cross Home Serv-
ice Institutes, far outnumber the
~don'ts," and one or two should be
mentioned to further exemplify the
spirit of the service and the manner
In which it is given.
One is: BE sure that there is a
definite invitation from the family OF
some responsible person competent tc
speak for them before entering the
home in the name of the American
Red Cross"
Another: BE sure that the mem
Der of the family in question is IL
some branch of the service"
Casual reading of these instruction,
may lead to the impression.that Home
Service is a simple bit Of work to b'
done in the odd moments Of the mem
bers of. a chapter committee. 1t is no
n simple work, nor is it an odd mo
ment" task.
In addition to mastering a knowl
edge of government regulations OF
separation allowances and the Wa
Risk Insurance Law, a Red eros
Home Service worker must either b
naturally endowed with or be able t
acquire the qualities Of tact, patenc
and kindness, and must study tn
problems which beset home life.
With all its ramifcations, Re
Cross Home Service is the most exac
ing type of work now required by thi
humanitarian institution within tn
boundaries of our own country. II
requirements for immediate and al
thentic information Of the broadef
scope are such that a 116 page hani
book of information for Home Servic
workers Ii now being prepared by th
Director General of Civilian Relief fc
early distribution.
so MUCH PAINSTAKING CAR
has BEEN AND IS BEING TAKE
IN THE ORGANIZATION OF TIL
WORK THAT ENLISTED ME
FROM OHIO, INDIANA AND KEl
lucky SHOULD KNOW TIA
THIS ARM OF THE AMERICA
RED CROSS Is STRONG ENOUG
TO MAKE THEIR FAMILIE
CARES EASIER AND TO EXTEN
A KIND, YET UNPATRONIZIN
HELPING HAND. SUCH FAMIILH
SHOULD WITHOUT HENTANC
COMMUNICATE WITH THMR RE
CROSS HOME SERVICE COMMIT
TEE WHEN TROUBLED IN An
LAY. - -