Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-09
Chairman Goodspeed tells Of the post

Chairman Goodspeed tells OF the post
war activities Of the Chapter:.
Since our last annual meeting we
have been engaged in practically the
same kind Of service as in the year
1890. We have paid half Of the SAL
airy Of the School Nurse and have as
sisted her in her work by providing
flrst aid kits and scales fer the
schools. BY her conscientious and
unceasing work among our school
children she has won the admiration
and respect Of our citizens, and !
cause to which the funds of our
Chapter could be applied than the
work of the School Nurse.
We have also, as the treasurer's
report shows, made substantial con-
ttibutions to the European Chill
d,'nn fund, the Chinese Famine fund,
tas China Relief fund and the Near
Est Relief fund, and have also re-
uttcd over $400 to Division head
quarters for the national work of the
Rcd Cross.
the membership drive did not re-
suit in getting as many members for
the current year as in previous years,
but we still have a healthy member
ship of 80S and the result of the Roll
| Call in Gardiner compares very ia
vorably with that in other places.
The Home Service work has con-
sistad mainly in financial aid in de-
| serving cases and assistance to ex-
service men in filing claims for COM
| pensation. When cases have been re-
! ported as needing assistance I have
called upon either Miss Calvin or
! Mrs. Robinson to make q personal in
! vestigation and they have always
, been very ready and willing to as
| sist in every possible way, and there
/ has been no case reported as far as
! [ know which has not been looked
into by one of these nurses within "a
! hours. AS the treasurer's report
| shows. we have expended $392.S5 in
! financial aid not only to ex-service
men and their families but also to
civilian families as well, and have
received s264.23 as a return of money
i loaned in this and previous years.
There have been large number Of
| calls at the Office for assistance in
making out claims for compensation,
victory medals, back pay,application
for new discharges and copies of dis
charges and affidavits for various
/ purposes. During the last year we
| have made out complete compensa-
ton claims for &c cx-seryice men and
| in probably a hundred other cases we
, have given assistance in making out
! various forms of affidavits in connec-
! ton with claims already filed either
through this or other Red Cross Of
ices. The red tape connected with
securing compensation or vocational
attaining has considerably heightened
instead of shortened and it is now
! necessary to make all applications in
duplicate, also copies CT discharges,
{ witnesses to all statements have to
i be procured and sworn marriage, birth
and death certificates also must pe
produced and copied and after the
claim is filed numerous letters have
to be written to follow it up and as
certain why nothing has been heard
+ from it. We have several Of our boys
taking vocational training here in
Gardiner and vicinity and they are
constantly in trouble with the Voca-
tional Board in regard TO places and
conditions OF employment The mat
ter is then usually left at the Red
Cross office for adjustment and a kind
of peace conference is held to
straighten the matter out.
The number of those applying for
/ various forms of government relief
J 10 ,n fal>
! sening, and it seems to me that it is
/ only a question OF time before every
man who was q soldier or sailor in
| the World War will have claim for
compensation or vocational training
| on file with the Veterans Bureau. An
| eTservice man who wishes to have a
| tooth filled at the expense of the gov
ernment is obliged to submit to a
medical examination and file COM
plet set of compensation papers as
carefully as if he desired compersa-
! ton for total disability.
/ Thematter of another Federal Pom
J us is still being agitated in Congress
/ and if it is passed, there will be q lot
/ of work for someone to Go in assist
:
claims for it. This work naturally
should be done by the Red Cross
whose policy has been to stand by the
service men as well during peace time
as in war time.
/ wish to take this opportunity to
thank all those who have taken any
part in the activities of the Chapter
during the past year, and l especially
appreciate the work Of those who as
sisted in the annual roll call last No
vember.
Financial report for the year end
ing Dec. 81, 1921.
II CASH RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand Jan.
Home Service refund. 264.23
Material and supplies
sold .... $3.50
I,,ri