The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-15
GlRLEEOOD'S ENTHUSIASM AND PATRIOTISM
 GREAT HELP IN WINNING TEEE WAR

Anniston, December 14.-(SpeciaL) )-The siris patriotic organizations during the 1erilous war period eagerly grasped every Opportunity to show by every act and endeayor their unqualified loyalty and patriotism, and their splendid efforts greatly aided in bringing tfe mighty struggle to victorious end.
 All over the nation girlhood's patriot ism and girlhood's enthusiasm have been used with wondrous. results. With that generous outpouring of spirit and devo- tion so characteristic of girls in any crisis Anniston girls have rallied nobly to every call for service
 The Anniston girls have been fortunate Tn securing capable leaders whose whole hearts were enlisted in the fight for lib- erty, and their patriotic fervor has been lmparted to the girls in a most effective manner.
 Miss Mary Read Smith deserves a vast amount of credit for the excellent work accomplished by the Anniston girls un- der her efficient leadership. For more than year Miss Smith has had charge or one of the largest groups of the Pa triotic league of the Young ~Wonan's Chrlstian association The girls, directed py their beloved leader, have shown a great interest in giving comfort and cheer to the, Camp Mcclellan soldiers. They nave knit convalescent afghans, made NoiHIOTt pdSSt ana Q0ZenS or gauge IIldSFS used by the soldiers during Nthe influ- enza epidemic Clever stories, jokes and poems have been collected and pasted into scrap books, which helped to while away many dreary hour for the con- valescents in the base hospital. Flowers and delicacies have also been collected and sent through the Y. w. C. A. to the soldiers. Tinfoil in abundance and kid gloves have been gathered by the Patriot ic league members and turned over to the Red Cross. The inhabitants of the mill village have been cheered through the efforts of the Y. w. c. A. girls. who meet the mill children at the Com munity house and teach them games and plan parties for their pleasure The Pa triotic league has been merged now into the Girls reserve, with the same leaders in charge of the various companies of the reserves. Miss Smiths company is in- tensely interested at present in dressing dolls to be given at Christmas time to the children of the mill village. Several new members have been added to the reserve company recently, girls whose fathers are officers at Camp Mcclellan. The members of Miss Smiths compans also enjoy assisting Miss Ruth Huff, the general secretary in the social activities Iof the Y. w. C. A, having during the past week acted as a hostess committee at charming afternoon tea given for A, serving as. general secretary of the Y w. C. A. was loved by every member of the organization. The Girl reserve companies assist Miss Huff at the week. " suppers given on Saturday evening and are enthusiastic over the 'toy show err to be given in the Y W. C. A. rooms under the direction of Mrs Paul J. Mun- die, who hopes to make 1t possible for every boy and girl in Anniston to be remembered during the Yuletide season.
 In addition to her work with the girls, Miss Smith has given her time and tal- ent to- many other important branches of civic and patriotic activities. Noted for her brilliant intellect and rare gift Of expression, she has been in constant demand, as four-minute speaker, hav- ing addressed audiences all over the coun- ty. Last week she spoke to the girls of the State Normal school in Jackson vile and assisted Miss Huff in organiz- ing Q branch of the Y. w c. A. in the eschool As president of the Young Wom- ans Missionary society of the First Pres byterian church, her church work re- ceives her truest loyalty. As a valued member of the faculty of Noble institute, one of the best preparatory schools for girls in the state, Miss Smith has en- tered with enthusiasm into all of the patriotic endeavors of the institute girls.
 Few schools have accomplished more for their country than. Noble institute. More than $100 was contributed to the friendship war fund and $125 to the Unit ed war work fund by the institute girls and recently they have adopted two French orphans. Under the direction of Mrs. Woolf, the physical director. a lovely play will be given on Friday eve ming for their adopted orphans. During recess and duripg the evenings busy fin