Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-11-25
Warns War Workers
Not To Slack Up
BY Frederic J. Haskin

mid Of the people now ~ much as in the
time Of war, notes a sudden slacking Of
the tension At which its helpers have been
working. Rcd Cross meetings are lacking
in both size and pep, and the ubiquitous
knittcrs have forsakcn khaki and gray
WOOL for orange and purple.
The most obvious CONCLUSION would be
that America considered it's responsibility
toward war relief ended when the last
shot WAS fired This would be a dis
couraging state If true. A more generous
and plausible explanation of the fast
waning enthusiasm is that in the excite
ment Of peace celebrations the people
have relaxed from the strain Of the war
and that they are only waiting for word
MS to the new work to bc done.
WORK ONLY HALF OVER.
Work Of the Red Cross is in scope wider
than that Of any other relief organization.
Some of it's activities will soon be no longer
necessary, but in the main its work in
connection with the present war is only
half over. For several years to come it
will need funds and workers to carry
out its relief projects in Europe and at
home.
One of the ever growing demands ON
Red Cross assistance is the plight Of war
refugees Throughout France, Belgium,
Poland, and other devastated countries
the Red Cross is evolving the beginnings
of new communities out of the choas Of
scattered families and plundcred homes.
To raise the dazed inhabitants of a
devastated village from the apathetic
stage of allowing everything to be done
for them to the self-re5pccting status Of
wage earners is task which requires
something more than the reckless dis
tribution of money. Experience in handl-
ing this form of civilian relief has been
gained by the Red Cross at the time Of
flood and earthquake disasters, 80 that it
is particularly fitted to carry on this
important social service.
Homeless patrons of bread line during
the first days of Red Cross management
soon are established in makeshift quarters
and are started TO work rebuilding their
homes. Often the tension of constant fear
is removed for the first time since the
war wrecked their quiet lives. After a
little they are self-supportIng, but at
first there must be funds to raise them
from the state caused by hunger and the
horrors of war According to America s
lberality, the work lags or progresses.
PROBLEM OF WOUNDED.
Then there is the problem of encourag-
ing the wounded to take up life where they
left off, and if that is not possible, to
strike out on new lines. In this work, the
Red Cross is lending valuable aid in
French hospitals. Wounded soldiers are
studied, their talents, latent or developed,
are discovered, and they are given a
start in whatever work they are best
fitted to perform
"As far as possible" said Red Cross
worker, 1--WE like to make up TO the wound
ed man for his handicap To the man who
leaves the hospital with his former
earning power doubled because he has
learned to do higher paid work, the
burden of helpless arm or leg Is ightened.
Life is again worth living"
Red Cross work with the sick and
wounded requires no explanation. The
only thing to be said is that the need for
bandages and comfort pillows has not
ceased, and that until every wounded
soldier is we'll, Americas obligation TO
make surgical dressings continues.
When the great exodus of soldiers from
France begins our men cannot be the
first to leave. Sixty-ive per cent of our
troops were sent to France on British
vessels. Great Britain will be using these
ships TO send home Australians, Canad-
ians AMI Indian troops, all OF whom have
been on active duty longer than the
United States forces. For this reason,
and for others, American troops will b.
delayed for some time overseas.
Meanwhile their families in this country
may be in financial difficulties, ven
with the government allotment and al
lowance provisions. The government
system for aid of families of enlisted men
is ordinarily adequate, but in event of
baaxrsix.
outside help is sometimes required. This
help the Red Cross has been giving, and
will continue to give, SO long as money
is available, until our soldiers and sailors
are again supporting their dependents.
NO MORE KNITTING
The most popular form of Red Cross
work, form which has apparently died
a sudden death, is knitting for the troops
An occasional knitter of service wool still
appears in public, but she has desultory
air and the needles do not click so brisk ~
The incentive is lacking This is un-
fortunate" says Miss Mabel Boardman of
the American Red Cross, because calls
are steadily coming from the army for
socks and sweaters, while the sailors who
cruise in northern waters snffer from cold
during winter months. Knitted articles
are urgently needed
So long as the army and navy are
mobilized there will be work for the
knitters for French and American camps
are Just as cold and the northern Atlantic
just as Windy in time of peace as In war.
Miss Boardman believes that latter
Americans will be asked to knit garments
for women refugees, but just now the
citizen with talent for knitting Is urged
to knit socks.
While the soldiers remain IN France,
canteens must be operated. Soldiers are
still mentioning in their letters home that
real -United-States tooth
brush would be gift of graf value
First class toothbrushes, not To mention
other oonveniences and necessities, are
part of the Red Cross canteen supplies
sold to the boys at cost prices or lower
Back of the canteens and back of all other
Red Cross activities there must be a
steady outpouring of money. Services of
many workers are given entirely without
other workers are paid
expenses only, and still others are given
salaries.
While war lasted American people
have given of their time, energy, an |
money To the Red Cross, and now. when !
it has an even more colossal task ahead, it |
seems unreasonable to desert it, The Red
Cross is anxious that Americans under
stand what is To be their part in wiping
h. & T. -. L.