The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-30
WHAT AMERICAN COMMITTEE IS
 DOING ABROAD
(Continued from Page one.)


 In 1917, at Blerancourt, we of the American Committee for Devastated France were in the war. In Marcn, 1918, with our neighbors. we were thrust out by the great German or fensive. In November of that year, we went over the top with a thou sand peasants who had returned to the scene of devastation.
 From that time on we have been to daily contact with their problems. How could we help them? Such ire parab4e losses cannot be measured by money, but the committee has stood by, serving a double purpose: helping them to help themselves and as a channel for the understanding sup- port of thousands of sympathetic Americans.
 To develop local leadership where we found it. to lead where it could no longer be found; that was our aim. From such beginnings have been evolved our medical service, public health work. libraries, classes, and farmers synd. cates which gradu- ally are being taken over by the French to be given a permanent place in their community life. By our com mon effort - French and American together-we have created the struc- tural basis of an everlasting bond
 Public Health and Medical Service
 The health of the children is the big concern of the American Com m-t ttee hygiene program in the Aisne AuulI persons receive hospital ana medical care when they need them, but the program in this direction pivos on the care of the child. Every thing possible that can be done is be- ing done to counteract the cruel nan d1cap under which these children who have suffered unsoeakably, are labor-ng.
 The structure of the program IS built on a district nursing service. 4 corps of trained nurses, 27 in number. maintains 7I oYI established centers. Skilled physi- and follow up with them the indi- vidual cases of 1.784 babies, 1942 children, from two to six years of age, and 6,792 school children.
 In line with the child hygiene pro- gram, the committee established modern facilities for maternity cases in its hospital in Blerancourt.
 ihe work of the committees Health department has reused the medical profession of France to an apprecia- ton Of what trained nurse can be ana mas created demand for higher standards of nursing in France To this end and in order that upon the eventual withdrawal of the American Committee this work may continue at loo per cent. efficiency. experienced French rIlrSes are studying admins tration of training schools in the United States. This has been made possible by scholarships. The nurses studying here will aid later in the es 1aplIshment of a training school in France.
 Work for the Children
 Much of the work being done by the American Committee for the bows and girls centers in the foyers. or community houses. Recreation and are as necessary for their undevelop- ed minds and bodies as more direct medical care.
 D, Boy Scout work was never so much needed in In -n1-I1 ;+ IS now in the devastated regions of rance. Therefore, the American Committee is fostering development of the Scout movement In the work the Committee has the cooperation of the French Government and of Boy Scout leaders.
 Fairgrounds are important, too. Up to the first months of 1922 play spaces had been set up in Soissons and in l villages Physical educa- tion centers in the foyers This work has been organized on a professional basis in S4 schools and involves 4. 900 boys and girls.
 Kindergarten work is another con structive activity in the American Committee program. The manual training and domestic science classes
 Baseball and football are among the favorite games played by groups If young people. Their regular par tciC ation in team games and athletic events is eQcoura ged. \ number of athletic fields have been laid out in the American Committee zone
 Restoration of Wealth,
 The farmer of France today is the neE pioneer. He is once more clear ing the land, this time seeking to re- move, instead of hindsring wood growth and rough stones of the field the menacing remnants of war
 Destruction of the Aisne robbed France of it's choicest agricultural acres. The American Committee working with the cooperation of ex- isting French agencies and the farm CTS themselves. is restoring those acres to their old fertility and pro- ductivity. Ninety per cent. of the land under cultivation before 1914 s producing again.
 powerful agency in the work of and reha Utilization is the farmers 1 syndicate. More than thirty such | organizations. in which the farmers