Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-19
W0MAN's LEAGUE LEADS
in PIONEER WAR WORK
Virginia Division OF National Body
~ Organized Two Months Before
r. America Enters Conflict.
BRANCHES THROUGHOUT STATE
Without Fees and Dues, Patriotic
Members Render Valuable Ser
vices in All Fields for Benefit OF
Men in Nations Service.

State headquarters were opened at
erously donated by James w. Allison.
Jr.. and al clerical work was yolun-
teered.
ia three months after the organiza-
lion war perfected. branches had been
Established est In the following , counties:
CIV cspep s9r!s kns sna
oyer, Alexandria Charlotte. Halifax.
James City. York. Southampton. Au,
Eusta. GreensviHc. Amelia. Loudon.
Fauquier: Louisa New Kent. Wise
Highland. NottoYay. Orange. Norfolk.
Chesterfield. HcnSico. Accomac North
Ksm lns ws oan0fs aa1H sseT , MHG!ssf s
G,ouses.sT S" M,;aiStih"sws.' KoshSriddEes,
hatan. Henry. Madison Lancaster and
Nansemond. The memberships of these
branches totaled 10000 registrations.
NO FEES NOR DUES ARE
PAID ny LEAGUE MEMBERS
The organization was everywhere.
basis. there being neither fees nor
that was considered unwisc by many.
but which. now that the war is over
has proved most decided success.
the hands OF the treasurer OF the State
division was for the purchase OF ma
terials for hosoital SUPPLIES. relief
p When the hep Red i1 cross Began it's active
june sl7 xth he en- r6 81 ihree
every county branch Of the league was
ready with Red Cross deta chment.
hospital supplies for three months and
which were ut once turned over to the
Red Re. Cross IL, In tact faet. the shairmen .:
the initiative In the formation OF the
majority OF the Red Cross chapters
AMERICA FIRST" COMMITTEES
STAGES FIRST BIG RALLY
The first patriotic mass-meeting
held in Virginia in connection with the
war was under the auspices OF the
leagues committee, America First"
This meeting WAS followed by num-
crous others during 1917.
The America First" committee was
most active in it's work among the
properly displayed. in running patriotic
slides in the ;heltcrs and picture
shows and In Getting UP entertain
OF patriotism. Mrs. G. T. W. Kern
was chairman OF this work for the
OF her work being shown in every
school and camp. as we'll as the mill
tary hospitals Of the State.
Under the social welfare detachment
hospitality houses were opened and
maintained at Hampton. Newport News.
Williamsburg and Norfolk and In these
ciub-rooms dances and picture shows
were held. French was taught and
the men provided with wholesome
games and amusemcnts.
OVERSEAS WORK THROUGH
WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION
Canteens in cooperation with the
Red Cross were maintained in Cape
Charles ana Williamsburg, while emcr-
gency, canteen work was done in Nor
folk during the Are which ragged there
Where This Work 1 @ss no, of,en
sary. league members were appointed
by the Red Cross TO meet any trains
All the overseas work of the or
Eanzation was sent through the War
Relief Association o! Virginia. which
ings. 5000 feather pillows, 4.5aS gar
inents, and many boxes OF clothing
for the devastated countries OF Europe
from women who were members of
the league.
Through the Fatherless Children of
France. the League also adopted TWEEN
ty-seven children at S36.5O each a
year
In 1917. the overseas detachment
July "a. by fetes and pageants.
u. 5. 5. VIRGINIA SAILORS
GIVEN SWEATER SETS
The knitting section was most ac-
tive al during the war. Two hundred
and fifty sets. consisting of sweater,
muller and wristlets were presented
through the Navy League 10 the United
States Battleship Virginia. Two thou
gs7weaters were made, $50 mufflers. 592
airs or socks. $50 pairs of wristle,s
and rib,is ye eonyaleseent Tugs were dis
and War Relief Association. while the
state oii'S eeo also secured from other
soldiers at Camp Mcclellan.
IN The food conservation committee
aided bret,rh md :; ria in the knitting as
to establish wool fund. From the
proceeds Of the sale of canned goods
left oyer from the generous donations
for Christmas, 1917. the money was
raised through the interest of the
Richmond Housewives League. Wo-
equal Suffrage League. United Daugh-
tiers Of the Confederacy, Civic League
ana richmond League for Woman's
appointed committee to assist with
the sale.
In 1917 2,4O0 jars of fruit and vege-
tables were shipped to Anniston Ogle-
thorpe. Fortress Monroe, Camp Lee and
the coast patrol Each woman Of the
ho result being bo6 gye Gns jar
gratifying. Rockingham County led
in this work in 1917. but Rockbridgc
dreds Of pounds Of preserves and
canned vegetables. all of which were
sent the Hospitals at Westhampton and
as long as the military hospitals are
open in Virginia, and the committee
Will also make substantial donation
20 the Soldiers Home in 1919 as IT
aid In the year just past.
WAR-GARDEN IDEA
FOSTiRIsD ny LEAGUE
In Fauquier County the league chair,
man raised the money to pay the ex-
penses Of home demonstration agent,
and the Rockbridge chairman assisted
materially in securing one for that
county.
che gardening section was active in
establishing gardens for school chill
~ren and colored people. Prizes were
offered, seeds given away and enter
tainmcnts held to raise money for the
work. Many of the most successful
war gardens in Virginia were due to
this committee. Through the chair
man Of Henrico and Chesterfield, the
league members of those counties con-
tributed $1,000 to further the interests
OF backyard and school gardens.
AS the war progressed. detachment
was formed for convalescent homes
and calls for supplies were sent out
through the State. In order that this
work should in no way interfere with
tina Red Cross. II WAS Surpesfa6 that