The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-12-29
Activities Of This Branch OF Kcokul<
Chapter for Year Show Many
Lines OF Interest and
Work
ASSISTANCE rs GIVEN
Both Material and General Help to
Secure This Result from Work
Done BY This Sec
ton.

Some idea of The magnitude OF the
work done by the home service sec
ton of the Keokuk chapter, Ameri-
can Red Cross, is found in the an
nuaI report for the section which
was made By Miss Laura Alton IN
the annual meeting Tuesday. Her
report follows
The last annual report OF the home
service section was made ten days
after the signing Of the arnlistice.
From then to the present time, we
have patiently listened to the re-
mark. We'll, now, suppose that you
are through with your work. But
the work that this department of the
Red Cross has accomplished the past
year is greater in volume and be-
iieve, IN Importance than that OF the
preceding year.
Ask someone what the home serv-
ice section of the Red Cross is and
you viii doubtless receive the answer
That it is the department which looks
after soldiers families. But during
the war that but specifically ex
planned IT'S purpose. It aspired TO
conserve human resources in the
families Of men in service and to
anticipate and check the social con-
sequences OF war
When the war was over, we still
had the obligation 60 be Of service
to tho returned soldiers This we
gratefully accepted. The govern
ment made provision for her men
and their families But the men did
not always know how TO present
their claims. We were able to give
accurate ard authoritative infornaa-
lion regarding ailotneHts, Insurance.,
compensation. msdical care and voca-
tionai education. And where temper
airy help was needed, while legal
claims were being adjusted, we gave
material assistance. The government
cannot provide emergency relief the
Red Cross, therefore assumes that
responsibility.
Work is Responsive.
Our work is responsible rather than
iaitiatory. We rarely offer help with
out some Introduction TO the family;
that Is, request from the man, his
relatives. camp officials, government
departments or other war work
agencies. But when we have in some
way rendered service and estab-
Iished our position as friend of the
family-in the natural course Of our
relations we often have opportunity
for vast field OF worR which IN.
elades helping to maintain good
Standards Of child care. physical and
mental health, education and work
ing conditions.
\ ~ oil
By William Lewis They went out
sands, to destroy rniIitarisna. 70 put
down wrong, and to exalt righteous
ness. Thousands have returned
broken in body or mind. thousands
more win follow Without their ready
sacrifice Britain would have lost the
war-uaIess adequate rsparat5on Is
made to the men shattered ia her
she win have lost her soul
That same statement OF fact is ap-
plfcable to America.
In accordance with the conclusion
TO which physiological and psyeoIogi-
cal investigators have come, person
can become fatigued when he has
overworked in one line. a boy called
upon 10 endure the hardssips OF ac-
tive warfare must bring a great
amount Of courage to the struggle
The oyerstimuIation Of courage, to
eethsr with physical injuries often
leaves man tired. II ne is in d
condition which stili
an unusual display Of
courage. there is apt to be Il stump
or reaction. Then st is our business
TO arrange for physical rest or
cure while we assure such q man
that we have an appreciatfve under
standing oil his difficulties ut read.
justment; and finally to stimulate
the same courageous spirit he had
shown and help him foster its new
expression.
Success is Met
All this sounds very Iar reaching.
And | have to admit that our plans
are not always realized But we
have met with o measure OH success.
COMPENSATION and insurance claims
have been flied through our office
and awards been made Through our
efforts young men injured in active
service and not able TO perform their
former occupations are now studying
in the following branches: Forestry.
agriculture, mechanical architecture,
machinery, plumbing and salesman
ship. We have been particularly for.
tunate since summer in obtaining
medical aid for anyone suffering from
illness or injury as q result Of serv.
ice Instead Of sending all reports
to Washington as formerly, the coun.
try has been divided into United
States public health service districts.
Keokuk is in the st. Louis district.
DR.. VIM Witte is supervisor of this
district and DR.. VIM. Rankin. the
local representative. The Red Cross
is authorized to send any man to the
united public health service for
examination and he will receive
treatment II the illness can be traced
TO military service. Prompt action
has been obtained in all cases. Most