Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-07-18

Everything SC far produced is of
positive value. This is a war of
such tremendous proportions that
seems almost impossible ever to fig
ure on having too much of any
thing connected with its conduct,
particularly of those things which
the Red Cross Chapters produce.
If there was no limit to the
amount of raw material available
in the country and the shipping space
which might be used to transport
the completeis articles to the point
of need. the policy of almost unlimit-
ed production might be justified.
But there is a limit, and very de-
! finite limit to resources, both of
material and transportation, and
so it is not only wise but necessary
that we put the entire production,
as rapidly as possible on the basis
of our best estimates of the most
urgent needs so that while the
| for Red Cross requirements ade-
| quately we may at the same time
/ be conserving the country's resour-
ces of material and its transporta-
| ton facilities now so sorely tried.
THE SITUATION TODAY
| surgical DTeSSlNS
The rate of which Surgical Ores
sings have been produced has been
| constantly increasing and is now at
point higher than cur estimates
| indicate as necessary for some
months to come. This rapidly in
creasing production has strained
| the capacity of the manufacturers
of raw materials to such an extent
| that there has been serious difficult
| ty in securing sufficient gauze and
| other materials used in making
| dressings.
Our Department of Supplies is
working in close cooperation with
| the Government to see that regular
| quantities of these materials are
secured for Red Cross work. All
necessary orders have been placed
with the manufacturers with every
| help that can be given the situation
by Government priorities. For a
while there will still be delay in get
ting the material into some parts of
the country but every thing is
being done to hasten deliveries, and
We hope, before long, to have estab-
lished regular deliveries to all sec
| tions.
If Chapters will take steps to limit
their production of dressings to the
| exact kind and quantities specifi-
cally called for by the Division
| they may feel assured that the sit
uation is being well cared for. This
does not mean, however, that any
women who are willing 20 work need
be idle because of lack OF opportun-
! ity. There is urgent need for other
L. l. l. ,,-sT
he seen by the statement which fol-
lows.
Hospital Garments, Refugee Gar
| ments, Comfort Kits, Knitted Goods.
For months past, careful studies
| have been in progress not only by
our Commissions abroad but by our
Departments in this country. work
| ing in close cooperation with the
Army and Navy to determine the
need for these articles. AS a result
| definite estimates of their require
ments between now and the autumn
are in hand and have served as the
! basis for the allotments for the
work to be done by the Chapters.
To make the things called for by this
estimate will mean that more women
| than ever before will be required TO
Some of these articles are for our
own soldiers and for those who will
soon be called to the colors, others
are for the hospitals OF our Allied
| abroad both civil and military
| while still others are for the unfor-
tunate population in the actual war
zone of our Allies, where they will
serve to alleviate so far as possible
] the suffering of old men, of women
and of children and at the same
| time serve as reminder of this
country's interest and sympathy al
a time when such evidences of sym
pathy mean so much to the moral OF
these sorely striker countries. This
is war not of the soldier and sail
or alone, but of the whole people
and the moral of the civilians be-
hind the lines is quickly reflected
at the front. If the people falter
the soldiers will not fight so eff
fectively. You will see therefore
that what we are doing for the
civilians in France, Italy and Bel