The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-10-07
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2. 1918.
A NOBLE SERVICE.

Organized effort in Pensacola, under the direc-
lion of the Pensacola chapter of the American
Red Cross, is taking effective measures to stop
the spread of influenza in Pensacola, and already
the volunteer system has brought splendid re-
suits
When the men and women Of Pensacola met at
the call of the Red Cross to take immediate and
active steps to relieve the influenza situation in
Pensacola, it with the determination to spare
neither money nor time to eradicate the disease,
as far as lay in their power and to render aid to
those who We're in need of their service.
Not moment of time has been lost since the
call for relief volunteers issued, and so
quickly the machinery Of the Emergency Re-
lief Committee set in motion, and so faithfully
has each branch of the service discharged it's
duties, that there is every to believe that
the spread of the disease has already been
checked.
From the first hour of organized effort the cry
has been for personal service. There are cases
where there is need for money but the greatest
need that Pensacola faces today is that OF per-
sonaI attention.
That this need is being met is evidenced by
the response to the call for volunteers. The
Ghortage of doctors and nurses in the city, the
reduced amount of help in all lines of business
the lack of servants in many homes, has made
the call for aid in every direction hard to meet
In order to keep the necessary channels of bust
ness open, and at the same time, meet the de-
mands of relief work, it has been necessary for
all to accept help and to give help.
Saturday the wife of minister of one of Pen
sacola's churches stood through long day clerk
ing in a corner grocery behind the counter in or
der that people in the neighborhood might have
food
A public official and a woman prominent in club
work in Pensacola spent the day driving from
louse to house delivering soup and broth, and
stopping in the homes to wash dishes and to put
fresh linen on beds.
A young woman wh3 has been actively en-
gagged in war work of various kinds here and in
New York. has been clerking in a drug store.
Hundreds of such instances might be given.
Men and women in every walk of life have put
down their own work to go out and care for those
who need them. They have not only given their
money they are giving themselves They are
doing this without thought of reward Their one
aim is to help those who are helpless, not through
poverty, not through negligence, not through anv
sault of any person or organization, but because
conditions today are different from those of any
,ther period in Pensacola's history.
A long line of motor cars has gone out for the
past two days carrying nourishment, medicine,
necessities of every kind. Boys on bicycles have
sped on their errands of service; others have
gone with the motor corps to deliver packages
Women have gone into homes and done mental
Rork-have cooked and cleaned have nursed the
yick and cared for the children.
There has not been one moment of hesitation.
Like soldiers on the firing line, they have re-
sponded without moments delay, knowing that
delay might mean death. Like soldiers, they
have not stopped to cavil or question, but have