Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-07-24
We Work To Uphold Morale.


Problems of the conference conferred
chiefly about the question of morale"
the difficult side of winning the war
which the Home Service organization
has taken as one of its chief response
bilities. The morale section of the
General Staff of the army was repre-
scented at one meeting by Captain Per-
kins, who discussed, with the confer
ence some of the far-reaching plans
the army is making to preserve the
moral elements of strength among the
American soldiers. A system of CO.
operation between army officers and
Red Cross workers, whereby the work
of the Home Service in keeping men
in touch with their families could be
put directly at the service of the
morale officers, was discussed.
Direct evidence of the effect on the
morale of men abroad made by their
relations with and their feelings about
their people at home was given at one
of the evening meetings of the confer
ence by Mr. Persons who recently re-
turned from France. Mr.. Persons re-
peated the message which he had al
ready given out to the American peo-
pie that one of the greatest influences
upon the fighting capacity of the men
in the trenches comes from their
thoughts about home. If those cheer
full thoughts, supported by frequent
and cheerful letters, and by the as
surance that if anything happens at
home requiring outside help the Home
Service workers of the Red Cross are
ready and anxious to be of service,
then the men will fight with greater
enthusiasm and persistence and will
not be so susceptible to she'll shock or
depression of spirits.
Keeping The Home Fires Burning.
The morale of the family no less
than the morale of the men in service
was brought before another session
when plans for rehabilitation work
among the disabled soldiers came up
for discussion. A manuel prepared by
c. f. Lakeman, of the headquarters
staff of Civilian Relief. brought up the
question of after-care which are of
particular concern to Home Service
workers. The support of the family
| is counted on by all the agencies in
terested in the welfare of the partially
| disabled men which are to be expect
ed when greater numbers of American
troops get into action. All who have
talked of this problem including the
writer's in Garry On" the Surgeon
Generals official magazine for spread
ing the gospel of cheerfulness and
courage in dealing with the problem,
have emphasized the need for the fam
lily to support the disabled man in his
plans for becoming a useful citizen.
1t is the belief of the army surgeons
here, based upon the experience of
other countries that nearly every
wounded man may be fitted to take a
useful place in the industrial or bust
ness world in spite of the loss of a
limb or even of his eye sight They
fear more than anything else that re-
turned disabled soldiers will be
weakened in the resolution to retain
their self-respect and find real work
by the mistaken kindness of hero
worshippers who will eventually make
such men little better OF than beggars.
They will sustain them on charity I'M
til the men have passed the period in
which they might be learning a use
full occupation and then viii forget