Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-31
RED CROSS GIVES
VALIANT SERVICE
TO E-SOI.DIERS
BY PAULINE LEVI.

of constant work in behalf of SOL
diers and ex-soldiers.
The work. moreover, is still 60
ing on. In the home service depart
ment, where every former soldier
knows he can secure whatever i'll
formation or service he needs in
regard to his allotments, pay, lib
erty bonds subscribed for while in
service, his compensation for dis
ability. or perhaps a loan to see
him through this period of read
justment, the Red Cross has met the
needs Of over 1900 local men in
the past year. Nor is the work at
an end now. During December the
Red Cross sent out a letter to
every returned soldier, sailor or
marine whose name could be Sc
cured, and in this letter made in
quiries in regard to all the various
problems of pay, bonuses, health
and employment, allotments and
service records, and many other
items which might be troubling the
ex-service men. The Red Cross
also offered its service in solving
the problems. The chapter reports
that nearly so per cent of the men
have returned these questionnaires.
some indicating either that they do
not require any service and the ma
jority stating they desire to avail
themselves of Red Cross inform:.-
tion or help.
The close of the year 1919 has
seen the local Red Cross in the
process of taking on new peace
time tasks. The chapter has been
providing crackers and milk in the
public schools for distribution by
public schools for distribution by
whom she thinks such nourishmect
would be beneficial. Splendid re-
suits are already beginning to show.
improved health and better work.
The chapter is also working on
a plan for a public health nurse to
serve the rural schools, and Tor
otter health and welfare work il
cooperation with existing agencies.
The past year saw the closing Of
the workshop with a record Of 291.-
1876 surgical dressings, completed
under the direction of Mrs. C. L.
Silver; under C. w. Halves. 1908
garments and 1888 knitted ar
ticles under direction Of Mrs. W. ].
Sweeney. made since April, 1917.
In 1919 there was one old cloth
ing drive for relief in Europe which
netted 5000 pounds of wearing ap-
parel; two previous drives brought
the total secured by the chapter to
$4,000 pounds.
Glasses In Home Care.
Twelve city classes in home care
of the sick and 10 rural classes
were conducted this year by the
local Red Cross with a total en-
rollment Of 611 pupils. The course
was given free of charge. In this
way a large body Of women were
trained to better protect and pre-
serve health in their own homes
and in the community.
The junior Red Cross. which ex-
lists in the public and parochial
schools enrolled $3.50 jupils in the
year 1918-1919. Present indications
are that the year 1919-1920 will
show an equal enrolment. The
junior members raise their own
funds and donate a portion of them
for relief work for school children
overseas.
Welcoming banquets were given
by the chapter to those local men
who returned from service during
the first six months after the sigh
ing of the armistice. Over twelve
hundred returned men were regis
tered by the chapter on it's wei
come home roll. Distribution OF
106 mourning brassards was made
by the chapter to relatives Of local
men who died in service.
In 1919 there were over $1,000
members in the local chapter. In
November a membership drive fol
renewals for 1920 was conducted,
and a peace-time membership Sc
cured of approximately $500.
The Red Cross motor corps was
on duty throughout 1919, delivering
packages and performing errands
for the canteen. During the opera
ton Of the aviation field in the re-
cent transcontinental race, the
motor corps gave its service to the
aviators and mechanics stationed
at the field.
The Red Cross canteen did the
biggest work of its history during
the past year. 1t served over $4,000
men, and in order to do this the can
teen workers made $500 gallons of
coffee and over 10000 sandwiches
they distributed an additional 1000
pounds Of candy and $4,000 dough-
nuts. At the present time the car
teen is no longer operating its
kitchen. and rest room at the Thir-
tieth street station, the number of
returning soldiers having so di-
unfinished as to make this unneces-
sary. The committee is, however.
still on duty for emergency calls.
1t rendered daily canteen service
at the aviation field during the
cross country flights, and in recog-
milton has received letter of COM
mendation from the air service
headquarters at Washington.
Officers of the local chapter from
October, 1918, to October, 1918.
were as follows: Chairman, l. $.
White; vice chairman, T. A.
Murphy; secretary. Mrs. Mayer
Levi: treasurer. Fl. S. Cable.
The present. officers are: Chair
man.. T. A. Murphy: vice chairman.
Mrs. Fl. H. Cleaveland; secretary,
J. B. Bassett; treasurer, X. T. An
derson.
Chapter officers invite the pub
lie to visit the Red Cross headquar-
tiers in the State bank building in