East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1918-07-13
SCIENTISTS SENDING
COMFORT TO FIGHTERS.
Patriotic Work of Scientist
Church Explained, by
A. v. Freel.
CBY A. v. FREELY

/ The Comforts Forwarding Commit
4 tee OF Christian Scientists was organ
lied In Boston December 1, 1917, for
the purpose of extending aid to sol
diers and sailors In the service, and
i later the work was extended to the
refugees In the war swept countries
of Europe In the nature Of the task
. all that the government can be ex-
pected to do Is to provide the essen
tials Of the, mems equipment, It re-
mains for those at home who are Will
| ing to exert themselves to add the lit
tie things that mean so much to one
in service. This work puts q human
background into the work. and only
4 with such a. background are men
moved to do their best.
The Comforts Forwarding Com
mittee was organized with headquar-
ters in Boston and branch commit
tees composed of Christian Scientists
have since been organized in eight
hundred cities and towns throughout
the United States. Three hundred of
these have been organized within the
last three months.
Through these branches over five
hundred pounds of yarn is being dis
ting for men in the service.
These committees in all of the large
cities maintain quarters in easily ac-
cessible places where forces of work
ers are kept busy asserting, labelling
and forwarding to headquarters in
Boston. or distributing to men in the
service in the local fields. sweaters,
socks, vests, helmets and other knit
ted garments. They also accept ar
ticles of second hand clothing, which
are renovated and repaired and then
sent across the seas to assist the un-
fortunate ones in Belgium, France or
wherever the need is most evident
large force is constantly at work
making new garments and working
over old ones for the refugees. In
all a thousand workers are givinE
their time and labor to the cause of
freedom.
In the first six months of activity
this patriotic organization has &C
compiished the following work:
Total number of knitted, etc,
distributed by this committee
10 men in war service 59,S9O
Total number of garments
made by sewing units of
uted by this committee for
men in war service and ref
ugees ...'........ '.----' A''"Vi
Total number Of old and new
garments received from the
field and distributed by this
committee for refugees ... 61.O53
Articles sent out by the field
but not through this COM
mittee for men in war
service and for refugees. 6l'fzV
Total number of articles dis
tributcd by this committee
and its branches from Decem-
ber l. 1917. to June 1, 1915 2Oi,97O
In distributing the above articles
this committee has been able to aid
in a. very effective way many other
relief committees that have been in
existence for some time. as well as
giving very substantial help to men
In ali branches OF war service.
AS the work of the branch commit
tees becomes more settled and better
understood by all, and the beautiful
work that is being accomplished be-
comes better known the productions
OF these committees will be largely
increased.
forts Forwarding Committee or
Christian Scientists began to knit for
the soldiers in February last, knit
ting Sixty pair of socks IN Iour
months. In May it was decided to
include sewing for the refugee ehil>
dren of the allied countries. Many
garments have been completed, and
though knitted goods for the soldiers
the refugee children is increasing
" eek by week
The committee has many letters
of grateful Acknowledgement Tor ar
tIoles received from individuals and
and is very thanktul 10
give such loving help to men In ser
vice and to refugees. Following are
extracts from a few of these letters
THE writer is grateful to you IN,
deed for your package containing
articles. You may pe sure
that this work Is appreciated to
far greater extent than any OF US
can express to you, and between the
good organization of our army anu
The support of those back home, you
may be assured that our wen careu
for "sammIes" will uphold your very
highest ideals ii
''Abeut a month ago I was given
knitted goods and sewing kit at the
of the Sons of the Am
erican Revolution in Boston and the
lady in attendance there told me that
Won were lending them great deal Oh
assistance carrying or their WORK.
am very glad to assure you thn
YOUR efforts are much appreciated by
those who have profited by your
At time when the more
activities of war work ap'
peal to many people. it is a pleasure
to find those who devote some OIL
their time to caring for the comforts
of the men,"