Chariton courier., 1918-04-26
PATHos ALSO Is MIXED WITH
THE TASKS THAT oReANIZA-
TloN SOLVES DAILY.
NO RED TAPE AND NO DELAY
Soldiers and Their Dependents Made to
Feel That They Are Entitled to
Assistance and Il Is Ex-
tended cheerfully.

AOne division of the Red Cross about
which little is known is that of CT
william Relief. 1t bears that name tc
distinguish it from the Military Relief
but the work 1t does is closely akin tC
military relief because 1t always has
a khaki-clad figure in the background
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 prob
lens SO that the soldier can proceed
about his task of winning the war
without being bothered by thinking OF
what is happening at home.
The importance of the work of ci-
william relief is readily understood
when one knows what it does. When
the next call for soldiers is made
every one of the hundreds Of thou
sands of young men who are called
from their homes will receive letter
from the Red Cross. This letter will
say, in effect:
is there anything we can do for
you? Are there any questions con-
cerning insurance, allotment of pay,
provisions for those left behind that
we can answer? Do you want advice?
Call on US and we will help YOU"
Local Addresses Given.
These letters will give the local ad.
dresses and the names of those hav-
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 10
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 il he has any troubles.
The persons in charge of these camp
offices are trained social workers,
sympathetic and of character inspir-
ing confidence. The soldier tells his
troubles and advice is rendered and
assistance is given il it 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, purpose that diff
dence or some other feeling may have
kept unspoken. When the something
else" is mentioned it is often a mat
ter that the Red Cross finds easily
adjusted, trifle in itself but of vast
importance to the persons most con-
cerned
Tragedy of the War Brides.
In the towns adjacent to every camp
and cantonment are scores of rela-
tves of young soldiers who have fol-
lowed to be near their loved ones as
long as possible. Often a bride fol.
lows her husband, only to find that
his stay in the camp is about COM
pleted, 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 trebled
within a few months. feFts are high
and the cost of food soon exhausts the
slender means the bride brought with
her.
Perhaps she is looking forward with
mingled feelings of joy and anxiety
for the advent Of 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 do?
She can come to the Red 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 triflinR 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 in
raising funds to care for the expectant
Assistance ls Certain.
But II relatives and local chapter
fail the Red Cross does not fail, and
financial relief is extended-not as a
charity but as right, as something
for which the soldier at the front is
paying with his time, his body and
perhaps his lie. The young wife is
able to write to him and tell him that
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