The courier-index., 1918-05-17
pAThos ALSO 10 MIXED WiTH ThE TAsks THAT oEGAksxA- r
 TON SOLVES pAlly-
NO RED TAPE AND NO DELAY
Soldiers and Their Dependents Made te Feel That They Are Entitled to Assistanee and It Is kx-
 tended ChssrfuHy.

distinguish IL Irom tne hhlaoAy AoheA' but the work 1t does is closely akin to military relief because 1t always has a khaki-clad figure in the backgrouno if not directly to the fore
 The Civilian Relief Division is pri marily aimed to help the soldiers in their private affairs, to aid them by aiding their families. to relieve mental distress and to solve domestic prop lems so that the soldier can proceed about his task of winning the war without being bothered by thinking oi what is happening at home.
 The importance of the work of ci- viliar relief is readily understood when one knows what it does. When the next call for soldiers is made every one of the hundreds of thoa- sands of young men who are called from their homes will receive letter from the Red Croes This letter will say, in effect:
 Is there anything we can do for you! Are there any questions con corning insurance, allotment Of pay, provisions for those left behind that we can answerf Do you want aovice? Call on us and we will help you
 Local Addresses Given.
 These letters will give the local ad- dresses and the names of those hay ing the work in charge. These indi- viduals have been furnished with handbooks explaining in detail all the rules and regulations of the govern ment on the subjects interesting to the recruits, and, armed with these handbooks, the Red Cross worker can answer as correctly as the Attorney General of the United States. This in. formation is given fully and without charge
 On his arrival at camp the recruit finds notices posted giving the name and location of the camp headquarters of the Red Cross, and he is invited to write or call if he has any troubles. The persons in charge of these camp offices are trained social workers, sympathetic and of character inspir- Yng confidence. The soldier tells his troubles and advice is rendered and assistance is given if 1t is needed When the interview closes the Red Cross person asks:
 ''Is there anything else we can do for you?" That question, with its anything else" often brings out the real pur- pose of the visit, a purpose that diff dence or some other feeling may have nEoy Aho ,oxk else" is mentioned 1t is often a mat ter that the Red Cross finds easily adjusted, 6 trif1s in itself but of vast importance to the persons most con- cerned.
 Tragedy of the War Hrlces.
 In the towns adjacent to every camp and caDtonment are scores of rela- lves of young soldiers who have fol lowed to be near their loved ones as long ss possible. Often 6 bride fol- lows her husband, only to find that his stay in the camp Is about com pieted. his period of training is over and he is leaving for the front Living in these camp towns Is expensive. the population has doubled or trebIed within q few months, rents are high and the cost of food soon exha usts the slender means the bride brought with her
 Perhaps she is looking forward with mingled feelings of joy and anxiety for the advent of s little stranger who may never see his soldier father. Per haps she married against the advice of her parents-girls are prone to do that sort of thing-and does not like to appeal to her relatives What can she dof
 She can come to the Reo Cross and tell her story, and right there her anxiety may end. The Red Cross will communicate with her relatives and with the relatives of her husband who has started for the front, from which he may never return. These relatives are urged to make some triflins sac rifices on the altar of civilization and patriotism. They usually respond quickly to the call.
 Should the relatives fail the local chapter of the Red Cross in the town from which the soldier came is noti fled and assistance is asked. With concrete case needing assistance the local chapter never has any trouble ip raising funds to care for the expectant mother.
 Assistance ls Certain.
 But if relatives and local chapter fail the Red Cross does not fail, and financial relief is extended-not as 6 charity but as a right, as something for which the soldier at the front is paying with his time. his body and perhaps his itSe. The yoans wife ia able to write to him and tell him that sAe h all right, thsa he need not w0gry i