The Washington times., 1918-10-19

A new problem-what to do for the
children made orphans by the Span
ish influenza epidemic-is facing
Washington today.
Scores of children have lost their
parents as a result of the epidemic,
and the orphan problem thus pre-
sented is more difficult today perhaps
than ever before in the history OF the
National Capital
Virtually every charitable and hu'
manitarian agency in the District
that may take a hand in the work OF
aiding these fatherless and mother
less boys and girls is working day
and night, but all are finding the task
too big.
Appeal for @Mothers.S
An appeal for women to work as
mothers" was issued today by one
of these agencies. the Gospel Mis-
sion. 214 John Marshall place north
west.
I'VE can save a score OF little lives
il a few motherly women will volun-
teer to help u.s." said Superintendent
H. W. Kline OF the mission today.
-Four women, at least are needed to
help us In this project
The Associated Charities report an
average of four phone calls per hour
from in the morning until o'clock
in the evening. asking for help in
cases where one parent or both have
died of Influenza and aid of some sort
is needed for children.
Miss Cecil B. Norton, general secre-
tary of the community centers, who
has organized a committee of helpers
to visit the homes and attend to in
huenza sufferers who cannot get pro-
fessional nurses, reports that the
orphan problem is the most serious
her workers.
PItIfuI Case.
While in some cases both father
and mother are dead and the children
are in obvious need OF help, in ev-
cry case Investigated by The Times
where one parent is living. he or she
is unwilling to give up even one Of
the children.
One Of the most pitiful cases is
that of the eight children OF Mr.
and Mrs. william Bowles, 1925 Sixth
street northwest. The mother die1
last Sunday and the father Wednes-
day afternoon OF influenza. No help
is needed for these children, as John
Bowles, the fathers brother, has
shouldered the responsibility of car
ing for the orphans.
Mrs. Modena Burns, 1927 Eleventh
street northwest, mother of seven lit
tie children, died OF pneumonia fol-
lowing influenza last Friday. Her
seven children. all of whom had the
influenza in turn. are Marion, ten
~
seven; Robert Burns, FIVE; Dorothy,
four. Ruth. three: and Mildred, one.
Their father, James Burns. Washing
ton lunchroom, 1927 Pennsylvania
avenue, is looking for some one to aid
him in caring for the children.
Left with -Four ChIIdren.
Pierce Hitaffer. T1S Seventh street
was left with four chill
dren. Edward, ten years old: Albert,
eight; Francis. five. and Helen. four.
when his wife died last Tuesday. FL
nancial assistance is not needed in
this family. so the father says.
The colored woman who washes
the clothes will take care OF u.s." said
little Edward.
Arthur c. Fehr, twenty-seven years
Did. 700 Seventh street southwest. a
in the navy yard. died Tues
day, and his one-yeAr-old daughter,
Ivy Bell Helen, Is now left for her
mother to support alone. Mrs. Fehr
left for Ohio Thursday. where the
funeral OF her husband will be held.
After she had left Washington word
came that her father was seriously
Ill Of influenza in her home in Vir-
ginia.
William Barry, 90 K street north
east, left the task OF raising fve
to his wife when he died
of influenza Wednesday afternoon.
The children are william. ten years
bid; James, nine; John, seven; Ber-
nard. hve, and David, one.
Baby IL Dying.
The baby is i'll with influenza,
Ind I think he is dying" said Mrs.