The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-09-05
RED CROSS DOING
ITS BIT AT HOME
Aids in Contentment of Families
of Our Soldiers.
PROVIDES RELIEF FOR NEEDY
Human Touch ls Found Necessary In
Addition to the Ailotments Of Pay
and Various Allowances From
the Government.
(From the Committee on Public Informa-
ton. Washington, d. c.

1
| (From the Committee on Public Informa-
| ton. Washington, d. c.
Last Christmas woman walked into
the office of one of the Red Cross home
service stations and laid down $21.50.
1t represented the profits of luncheon
served at her home for the benefit of
the children of the soldiers OF the
First Separate battalion.
"It Is my Bit" she said. "You were
all so good to me when 1 was sick
that wanted to do something for 9TH
ers now that am able to-"
This woman has been one of the
first applicants for relief from the
home service of the Red Cross. Her
husband had volunteered in the army,
and, after his enlistment, she had done
such heavy work that her health had
broken down. She had been ill In bed
and had been attended by doctor
who had signed false certificates for
her insurance. Finally, in despair, she
sent word to the local Red Cross.
The Red Cross home worker came to
see her and learned the facts in the
case. A better physician was secured,
and 1t was found that she had incip-
lent tuberculosis. She was immediate
ly sent for treatment to tuberculosis
dispensary, where she remained dur
ing the summer. Within few months
she had improved so wonderfully that
she could hardly be recognized as the
same woman.
This was only one of very large
| - to- 1,l lntS thn RnH
Cross has proved blessing to the
families of our fighting men,
War disturts tho even current OF
our lives. Few indeed are the families
who are not intimately touched by the
call which has gone forth to the young
men of the nation. Sons, brothers,
fathers, and close friends have gone to
the training camps, or will soon so.
They will leave more gladly II they
can be assured that the ones they love
are being watched and cared for in
every possible way during their abb
sence.
The Human Touch Needed.
Most soldiers have friend to whom
they can entrust the welfare of the
mothers and wives. But many have
not. The government does the best 1t
can by providing allotments Of pay
and allowances for the families Of sol
diers and sailors. But something more
Is necessary. The human touch is
needed. There are bound to be emer-
gencies which call for ministrations
of a special and extraordinary sort;
situations calling for wits and re-
sourcefulness. Obviously the best way
to deal with such cases 1t to turn them
over to trained social workers, whose
skill and experience fit them to deal
with these troubles. Hence. the gov
ernment has done a wise thing In turn
ing over to the home-service workers
of the American Red Cross official re-
sponsibility for such soldiers and sail
ors' families as come into difficulties.
The home-service work Of the Red
Cross is logical extension of Its mis-
sion of mercy. No other organization
has so splendid a record in administer
ing relief, and none is better equipped
to do what is now required. Its serv-
ice stations are established in every
district Of the United States, and it
is well prepared to look after the de-
pendents of army and navy men
wherever they may be found.
The soldier is apt to worry most
over his wife and babies. And this is
not to be wondered at. because the
predicaments they may fall into are
legion. The story which has already
been told illustrates one type of dan
ger which may lie in wait for the SOL
dier's wife. The records of the Red
Cross are filed with stories of service
rendered to the wives and children
One of the home-service offices re-
ceived from young corporal letter
which contained these sentences: Il
am so thankful for all you have done
for me. I will never know how to
thank you. But for the help that you
extended to us we would have been In
u destitute condition."
Lost Their Baggage.
The story behind this simple testi-
mony was a pathetic one. The hus-
band had been ordered to Washington
from a Western post. On the way all
the family baggage had been lost.
They recovered only $25 from the rail-
road company, and when they finally
decided to appeal to the Red Cross the
wife was nursing q baby few days
old.
The Red Cross worker found them
living in a very poor little house. The
oldest child, boy Of nine, was doing
all the work for the family. His lit
tie sister, eight years old, had abso-
Iutely no clothing and was wrapped In
a strip of flannel. A caretaker was
secured for the mother, and the boy
was sent back to school. Then cloth
ing was secured for the little girl.