The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-02-21
By James L. Fieser,

Division. American Red Cross
American Red Cross Home Service
workers In Ohio. Indiana and Ken
lucky. already administering to fami-
lee of some 1900 enlisted men. carry
on their work with a "catechism"
which includes what may be termed
eleven commandments" As these
Commandments" typify the spirit In
which this type Of Red Cross relief 10
given. I am stating them here. l.av.
ing the reader TO draw his own con
illusions.
I. Don't over~helm people with
questions before they have a chance
10 say what they want 10 say.
g. Don't suggest to 0hem the ar
swers they should make.
3. Don't forget that their hopes
and plans are more important than
any single fact tina, the Home Service
worker wants In order TO make com
plete q report or record
T. Don't encourage the children to
talk about things that concern their
elders about family difficulties and
20 on
5. Don't let the children come to
the Office with messages and requests
except when there Is real emergency
and no older person can possibly
come
O. Don't discuss the affairs OF 4
family. nor tell The facts that come
to your attention in the course OF
Home Service work 10 any outsider.
= Don't give confidential informa-
tion about the family when making
inquiries.
T. Don't make inquiries OF the
presen; neighbors or do anything that
viii expose the family TO gossip. Pro
tect the family in question as YOU
would your own family from anything
that would help their selfrrpect.
. Don't venture to make perma-
nent plans on a first visit
10 Don't fail to discover whether
there Is immediate and urgent need
OF relief and to make some temporary
provision for supplying It before
waiting to make further Inquiries.
IL Don't fail. however. TO inquire
tbefore paying the frat visit !; possi-
bleD what other agencies are inter
ested
True. the dos" taught Home Serv.
ice workers in Red Cross Home Sery-
ice Institutes. far outnumber the
"donts." and one or two should be
mentioned 10 further oNemplify the
spirit OF the service and the manner
In which II Is given.
One is BE sure that there Ia a
definite invitation from the family or
some responsible person competent to
speak for them before entering the
home In the name Of the American
Red Cross"
Another: BE sure that the MEM
Der Of the family In question is in
some branch Of the service"
Casual reading OF these instructions
may lead TO the impression that Home
Service is a simple bit Of work to be
done In the odd moments Of the mem
bers OF a chapter committee. IL Is not
a simple work. nor is II an odd mo
ment' task.
In addition to mastering a knowl-
edge OF government regulations on
separation allowances and the War
Risk Insurance Law. Red Cross
Home Service worker must either be
naturally endowed with or be able to
acquire the qualities OF tact, patience
and Kindness, and must study the
problems which beset home life.
With all its ramihcations. Red
Cross Home Service is the most exact
ing type OF work now required by this
humanitarian institution within the
boundaries Of our own country. Its
requirements for immediate and au-
thentic information OF the broadcast
scope are such that ll6 page hand
book of information for Home Service
workers is now being prepared by the
Director General OF Civilian Relief for
early distribution.
so MUCH PAINSTAKING CARE
HAS BEEN AND Is BEING TAKEN
IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THIS
WORK THAT ENLISTED MEN
FROM OHIO. INDIANA AND KEN
lucky SHOULD KNOW THAT
THIS ARM OF THE AMERICAN
RED CROSS 10 STRONG ENOUGH
TO MAKE THEIR FAMILIES
CARES EASIER AND TO EXTEND
A KIND. YET UNPATRoNlziN0.
HELPING HAND. SUCH FAMILIES
SHOULD WITHOUT HnSITANCY
COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR RED
CROSS HOME sERviCB COMMIT.
TEE WHEN TROUBLED IN AMI
WAY.