The sun., 1918-10-07
RED CROSS WOMEN
AID AMID SHELL FIRE


Continued from First PdOe.)
and the flames still climbed through the
little hills and valleys ordnance officials
already were on the ground planning the
rebuilding Of the structures. The work
Of the war must go on uninterrupted.
Inside the far spreading plant a college
professor and his expert assistants from
the Federal Housing Commission we're
pacing the hot ground while they went
over the general plans OF the reconstruc-
ton which is to be begun as soon as the
earth cools.
Another Big blast Improba BILE.
When night fell the probability Of still
another great blast had become, IN the
minds Of experts. merely bare posi-
bility. And in the meantime there was
nothing to do but to stand aside and
wait until the fire had burned itself out.
All the long stretches of implanted
barracks in which employees had been
housed had disappeared. The admins
tratioh building was intact except for
shattered frames OF doors and windows
and great holes In the walls where flying
shells had pierced the structure. Inside
shS Noo oic ctei
'of life. a hungry and very thirsty little
cocker spaniel which had survived the
shocks. As tenderly as II the little dog
were human the Red Cross girls carried
the spaniel out of the wreck strewn
building and fed II.
The rains OF the early morning and
especially the terrific downpour OF the
afternoon had added to the ruin.
Through great holes in the roofs OF
workmen's houses, now deserted. the
water poured and brought down masses
OF soggy plaster onto the abandoned be-
longings OF the poor. few railroad
boy station during the day. permitting
handful OF the refugees to debark and
seek their belongings,
But as a rule the families of South
Aniboy. numbering more than 10000
men, women and children. still were
being sheltered at Perth Amboy. at New
Brunswick. Keyport. Railway and other
nearby towns. their condition last night
being much the same rs the night be-
fore. A few were permitted to return.
but so far as possible the Red Cross
workers persuaded the refugees to re-
main with the generous townsmen near
by who had taken them in.
The estimate of ninety-fo dead was
made last night by DR.. John W. Trask.
medical director Of the United States
Compensation Bureau. This was the
figure he sent to his superiors at WASH
ington. DR.. Trask's estimate was re-
duced to 81 by the discovery that three
missing men were lying injured in hos
pitfalls.
The most systematic and praisexorthy
work of all the herculean labor which
has been done in and near the plant since
the explosion should he credited to the
Red Cross. Into a small store in Perth
Amboy. used as a meeting room by 'he
local Board OF Trade. came the advance
guard of the Red Cross as early as Fr;-
day night and Immediately a semb'Gnce
of order came from chaos.
For many hours after that. even
throughout Saturday, there seemed to
be no directing central head OF the army.
navy and militia activities, although to
all Of these military workers much praise
Is due for their untiring efforts. But
with the Red Cross the work went on.
and Is still going at top speed. with
clockiike precision.
Small tables were Immediately placed
in rows the length OF the Board Of Trade
rooms. and on each table telephone
was installed. At the head of the row
sat the capable Capt. Florence Walton
Of the Red Cross Motor Corps. and there.
after Capt. Walton through long hours
that made the onlookers marvel. directed
the motor part of the relief work quite
as a train dispatcher sends his train,
along a railroad system.
The motor girls who jumped from
their cars and hurried TO Capt. Walton's
table seemed endless. With a snappy
salute and questioning word from each
eager girl motorist Capt. Walton would
| turn to her lists. j!ggle her telephone
and n moment later that particular cir
would be dashing away for a load Of
food or clothing. or TO motor. If need be
into the burning plant itself with needed
supplies, or to take the pitlfully TORI
bodies back to the improvised morgue:
in Perth Amboy.
Long Lines of Red Cross Cars.
Throughout the day long lines of the
Red Cross cars. motor ambulances be
longing to and driven by the girls of thu
National League for Women's Servic,
and other women drivers. we're dashint
cross country or were ranged in Ions
lines In front Of the various relief head
quarters in Perth Amboy
In greatest profusion these various
kinds of motor cars were lined up II
! iioht Va thC citil hiiboy oNHoOi
where so many OF the refugees wer,
being housed. some sleeping on cots II
the schools and many others quarteret
in the brown army tents which dotte'
the grassy terraces in front of thu
building.
| Pacing back and forth always wer
naval reserves. rifles on shoulders. Il
keep at a distance those who had N
real business there. Then when tn
west blackened in the afternoon and tn
brief but very fierce storm broke Their
was a scurry for cover by all but tn
militiamen and the girl drivers
Out from the ambulance seats cam
raincoats and slIckers OF feminine Gu
and the girls. who had been MUNICH
ing sandwiches and drinking milk-thei
only meal" of the day-Zlaughed an
donned their rubber coats and continue
to brave the storm And back and fort