The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-10-02
| w |
.M&S@

G&ss1Sg themselves over. ex-
: aiming the dark
places, and deciding, almost all Of
them, that vast amount Of improve
ment is possible In both health and
looks. And this awakening and stir
ring about is laid at the door Of the
American Red Cross. In other words
tie Red Cross has offered through its
many channels TO lend the caCse Il
trained mind, big heart and a strong
generous hand. Reports just made
by the national headquarters Of the
organization show that there are to
day 1000 Red Cross chapters en-
gagged in one or more forms Of social
and community activity included In
the peace-time program of the society.
Evidence Of the increasing alertness
of communities TO their needs is found
on all sides. They are recognizing pro-
lection and conservation of life, rec
reatiOn, child welfare, community or
ganization, sanitation, education, de-
linquency, Americanization and In
Vulnerable other problems as their
very own, their most vital business. In
the solution of these, they are being
given the aid of the Red Cross with
out stint or limit" wherever ii will do
the most good.
Wartime developments gave every
community in the United States an
organized and recognized center of &C
tivity through which the people can
serve and improve themselves. Such
centers are the Red Cross chapters,
scattered throughout the length and
breadth. Of the nation. They are i'm
portant and controlling factors In the
peace plans Of the American Red
Cross. Each chapter being a local ac-
tivity, all chapters are aware of exist
Ing conditions In their communities
and are acquainted with what steps
are necessary TO improve the general
welfare. Upon them rests the duty OF
offering some specialized service which
may be adapted TO hometown needs,
toward the solution of the perplexing
problems which daily confront the
home folks. No community and no
family is without them.
These peace duties are outgrOwths
and combinations of the duties which
came during the war. They of course,
receive the best attention of the Red
Cross But they in no way interfere
with furnishing relief In disasters.
carrying on foreign relief and finishing
up the war job.
A community may have a very feeble
sort of awakening. Does the Red
Cross ignore the sign of life? Not at
all. The Red Cross regards even
faint interest as too valuable TO be
neglected and attempts to offer the
form Of service suited to that commu-
nity's need. In one locality where l3
of the % chapters engaged in peace
time work have Jurisdiction over the
population of less than 10000. II is
interesting to note how the conscious
ness of the smaller chapters is grow
ing.
One Of them. recently requested the
privilege Of showing its city how gar
bage can be handled in an economical
and cleanly manner. In response TO
the request, Red Cross worker visited
the chapter, armed with public health
pamphlets and with working plans for
incinerators and other methods of dis
posal. A chapter in California which is
active in the field of health and social
welfare writes:
1--WE have decided to furnish milk In
the public school for some marked
cases Of under-noWishment, some of
them the result Of influenza. During
the month, we transported to the hos
pital IS cases of influenza, aided in