The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-20
FRIENDS BUILD
HOSPITALS FOR
WAR REFUGEES
Annual Report Shows $50
Workers in Reconstruction
Work.

The general condition of the Friends
Reconstruction unit in France is des-
cribed in a report just issued which
says:
"All over the United States, from
Maine to Oregon, in nearly all Friend
ly centers, men and women are giving
money. women are sewing and knit
ting, and congregations are seeking
TO know their duty towards this ef-
fort which expresses their Christian
ideal OF conduct in war time; an ideal
which is constructive. kindly and
restorative.
But this is only the background
The real workers are in France At
last reports some $50 men and women
are IN this stricken country trying to
perform in actual service what all this
home machinery is intended to pro-
vide. OF these about 200 are English;
more are American; and there are
nine French women; but the numbers
change from day to day, and they are
all busy.
Detail Their Work.
What do they do? In the wooded
regions of the Jura Mountains, at Dole
and Ornans. there are factories work
cd by the Unit for making portable
houses and furniture. The French
government, which omits no opportun-
ity to express it's appreciation and aid
IN the movement, supplies the lumber
free. The little houses, easily put to-
gether, are shipped to the country
where the war scourge has passed
over. and many a family which would
otherwise be in the ruins or the tene-
ment cellars of large cities, has found
a resting place, wholesome IL some
what Temporary. The amount possible
10 be done in this way is indefinite,
limited only by the number of workers
which can be provided. In addition.
hospitals have been built for refugees
who have been driven entirely away
from their homes. These afford not
only relief but also the opportunity
FOR personal contact with the poor
people, whom to serve. the members
or the Unit have crossed the ocean.
AT another place some 200 houses for
tubercular settlement have been
erected, furnished and manned.
WORK ON FARMS.
The important subject OF agricul-
ture takes another group. Many
young men used to farming at home
have given their experience, their
labor and their Skill to blowing,
threshing. repairing farm machinery.
Work Is furnished to refugees.
Eight hospitals are maintained
two general. one maternity, two con.
valescent homes, one home for aged
women and two children's hospitals.
so impressed have the American
Red Cross and the French government
been with the efficiency of our work
that new avenues are continually
opening. At least 500 well-ftted
Americans could be Immediately en-
ployed in useful efforts OF ameliora-
ton and reconstruction
Offer Sympathy.
But 1t is more than material helm
which these suffering French people
want Our men and women serving
without pay are not doing it in any
heartless way. The kindly expression
or our sympathy, the opening for spir-
itual comfort and encouragement. the
response watch comes from stricken
victims who have lost their homes
OF lifetime and often members Of
their own household. and now find
someone who from pure love shows
them little CLEAN of living hope
these are the rewards our workers
have
The government at Washington
has seemed to be as liberal as we
could expect towards the conscien-
tious directors to military service But
we are all loyal citizens in this emer-
gency and every one of us should see
that we serve, with our brethren who
risk so much more than ourselves, the
duties and responsibilities of the sit
nation in ways that commend them
selves to our consciences President
Wilson writes:
Il am sure that you will permit me
to express deep appreciation Of the
reconstruction work proposed and my
happiness that il Is being carried on
in association with the Red Cross.
which is already doing u great work in
France to express the heart OF Ameri-
ca