Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 208, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1918 — Page 3

RED CROSS DOING ITS BIT-Al HOME

Aids in Contentment of Families * of Our Soldiers. PROVIDES RELIEF FOR NEEDY Human Touch la Found Necessary In ' Addition to the Allotments of Pay and Various Allowances From the Government. (From the Committee on Public Informa- , tion, Washington, D. C.> 1 Last Christmas a woman walked into the office of one of the Red Cross homeservice stations and laid down $21.50. It represented the profits of a luncheon served at her home for the benefit of the children of the soldiers of the First Separate battalion. “It is my btf,” she said. “You were all so good to me when I was sick that I wanted to do something for others now that I am able to.” x This woma'n has been one of the first applicants for relief from the home service of the Red Cross. Her husbaqd had volunteered in the army, and, after his enlistment, sheha'd done such heavy work that her health had broken down. She had been ill in bed and had been attended by a doctor who had signed false certificates for her insurance. Finally, In despair, she sent word to the local Red Cross. The Red Cross home worker came to see her and learned the facts in ths case. A better physician was secured, and it was found that she had incipient tuberculosis. She was immediately sent for treatment to a tuberculosis dispensary, where she remained during the summer. Within a few months she had Improved so wonderfully that she could hardly be recognized as the same, woman. This was only one of a very large number of cases. in which the Red Cross has proved a blessing to the families of our fighting men. War disturbs the even current of our lives. Few indeed are the families who are not intimately touched by the call which has gone forth to the young men of the nation. Sons, brothers, fathers, and close friends have gone to the training camps, or will soon go. They will leave" more gladly if they can be assured that the ones they love are being watched and cared for in every possible way during their absence. The Human Touch Needed. Most soldiers have a friend to whom they can entrust the welfare of the mothers and wives. But many have not. The government does the best it can by providing allotments of pay and allowances for the families of soldiers and sailors. But something more is necessary. The human touch is needed. There are bound to be emergencies which call for ministrations of a special and extraordinary sort; situations (Sailing for wits and resourcefulness. Obviously the best way to dfeftl with such cases it to turn them over to trained social workers, whose skill and expedience fit thefn to deal with these troubles. Hence, the government has done a wise thing In turning over to the home-service workers of the American Red Cross official responsibility for such soldiers’ and sailors’ families as come Into difficulties. The home-service work of the Red Cross is a logical extension of its mission of mercy. No other organization has so splendid a record in administering relief, and none is better equipped to do what is now required. Its service stations are established in every district of the United States, and it Is well-prepared to look after the dependents of army and navy men wherever they may be found. The soldier is apt to worry most over his wife and babies. And this is not to be wondfered at, because the predicaments they may fall into are legion. The story which has already been told illustrates one type of danger which may lie in wait for the soldier’s wife. The records of ; the Red Cross are filled with stories of service rendered to the wives and children. One of the home-service offices received from a young corporal a letter which contained these sentences: “I am so thankful for all you have done for me. I will never know how to thank you. But for the help that you extended to us we would have been in a destitute condition.” Lost Their Baggage. The story behind this simple testimony was a pathetic one. The husband had been ordered to Washington from a Western post. On the way all the family baggage had been lost. They recovered only $25 from the railroad, company, and when they finally gelded to appeal to the Red Cross the wife was nursing a baby a few days old. The Red Cross worker found them living in a very poor little house. The oldest child, a boy of , nine, was doing all the work for the family. His little sister, eight years old, had absolutely no clothing and was wrapped in a strip of flannel. A cafetaker was secured for thy mother, and the boy was sent back to school. Then clothing was secured for the little girl. When the mother was able to get up it appeared that she had no clothes which were, really fit to wear. When the Red Cross visitor first saw her up and about the house she was wearing one old white woman’s shoe and one man’s shoe and had on a threadbare

wrapper. A remarkably grad outfit was purchased for $25; a pair of shoes, a coat, a skirt, a hat, two waists, and two corset covers., After the start, things began to be better. The husband made an allotment of his pay and took out warrisk insurance. As soon as the payments froifi these sources begin to come in the family will no longer be in of financial assistance. In the meantime the Red Cross worker is keeping in touch with them. The legal committees of the home service have been especially valuable aids. Not infrequently a soldier’s relatives are badly Informed on the law and allow themselves to be duped. Occasionally they are not aware of the rights which accrue to them when the man of the family goes-into the army. Every sort of snarl and tangle arises, and it usually seems as though the services of a lawyer may be too costly. The legal committees meet this need. All over the country lawyers have generously given their services to this important work. - Children’s Welfare First Nothing is more vital than the welfare of the children. One of the homeservice directors issued this statement so the workers of the district: “The home service is especially Interested in children, and we feel that its most important service is in the conservation of the child and the home for the future. For this reason we stand ready to see that any child does mot have to leave school to go to work because its father has either volunteered or has been drafted into the army. We also stand ready to see that no woman with small children has to go to work because her husband or son is serving the country as a soldier or sailor.” A short time ago it was reported tothe Red Cross home service station in one of the cities that a little girl Of fifteen was about to be taken out of school because her family needed the money she could earn. Irene’s father was dead. Her oldest brother, Alex, was contributing $lO a week to the family treasury, but he was saving to get married, and that wks all that he could spare. The second boy, Joseph, had enlisted. The oldest girl, Helen, made $lO a week, while Harry, sixteen years old and just returned from a runaway jaunt, only earned $7. There was another little girl, eleven years old, who w-as still in school. The Red Cross worker explained, to Irene’s mother why she felt so strongly that the child ought to have at least a grammar-school education. In June she would be through with the grammar grades, and in the meantime the Red Cross offered to pay Irene’s family $6 a week, which was about all that she could be expected to earn. The arrangement was made, and Irene is still in school, while the mother is 'gradually paying off her debts. When June comes Irene will graduate, and she will probably be able to earn more than $6 a week. It is a splendid thing to help deserving families, but it is still better to put them in a position to help themselves. That is, of course, the ultimate purpose of social work as it is practiced nowadays. One of the large home-service sections was able to carry through a very large job of this sort recently* The family in question had been public charges for years. The husband and father was a heavy drinker and never displayed the slightest inclination to support his wife and ’children. The mother was serene and happy-go-lucky and had no other thought than to get the most she could out of the different charity organizations. The house was dirty beyond description and everything was at sixes and sevens. Pawned His Wooden Leg. Douglas, the eldest boy, was in the navy. The second boy, William, was consumed ’with a desire to enlist, too. He had tried, but had been turned down because of a physical disqualification, and, in rage and disappointment, he had gone off to the West where he wandered for several months. When he finally came home, he, too, settled down -to be a charity patient. A third boy, Raymond, seventeen years old, had also taken to tramping, although he had a we .den leg, the souvenir of an accident in the railroad yards when he was a small boy. When absent one one of his hikes the enterprising gentleman ran out of funds and chose the expedient of pawning his wooden leg. Helen, the oldest girl, had St. Vitus’ dance, and there were five younger children, all of them growing up in dirt and ignorance. By the‘■time the mother applied to the Red Cross for help the family was suffering for want of food. The worker paid a visit to the household and found the conditions as they have been described. First of all, food was supplied to the family and their most pressing wants were met. Then a court order was secured requiring the father to stay away from his family. He was always drunk, and his laziness and bad temper were the principal causes of the family shiftlessness. Then the problem of William was attacked. It developed that his rejec? tion for service in the navy was due to his being underweight He simply had not had enough to eat nor food of the proper sort It was arranged that he should go to the Y. M. C. A. cafeteria for his meals, and that he should go to the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium to exercise. In an incredibly short time he was able to pass his physical examination for the navy. His only disappointment was that he could not be taken right away. The Red Cross worker was able to arrange that too. In view of the special circumstances, the recruiting officer found a place for him immediately..

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER. IND.

EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR SPORT IS GIVEN BRITISH SAILOR TO KEEP IN PROPER TRIM

Although the German high sea fleet will not come out and give the British fleet a chance which it is so ea.gerly waiting for, the grand fleet has an Immense amount of work to do in maintaining effective sea command. In spite of this every opportunity for sport and entertainment is utilized in order to keep the men in trim. This photo, the first of its kind to arrive in this country, shows. a boxing exhibition on board a British battleship waiting at its base in instant readiness for action. It is greatly due to the efforts of these sailors and thousands more like them that the German fleet has not dared to come forth arid attack dur coast;

HOW TEN EYCK WORKS CREW

Coach of Syracuse Employs Novel Method of Instructing oarsnrj«n—Acts as Coxswain. Coach Jim Ten Eyck of the Syracuse university freshman eight-oared shell crew, his only combination this year, used a novel way to instruct the oarsmen. Ten Eyck acted as coxswain of the crew and by coaching the young-

Coach James L. Ten Eyck.

sters as well as steering the boat from the inside of the shell, succeeded in perfecting the blade work and general watermanship from that standpoint. Lack of a launch prevented him from watching the boys row by following them on the water.

WHEREABOUTS OF PING BODIE

Yankee Fence Buster. Thought to Be Headed for Fighting Line in France or Italy. Ping Bodie quit the Yankees with the avowed intention of taking a job in a munition plant. Ping’s decision to stick in the East instead of returning to San Francisco, where he might work in a shipyard, is regarded as suspicious, and some of his teammates say that what he really intends to do, if he can arrange it; is to head for France or the Italian front. A new offensive in Italy would so excite Ping that he’d be on the fighting line as soon as a ship could get him there.

UMPIRE PREFERS SHELL HOLE

Ray Gahill Writes St. Louis Friends He Took His Life In His Hands at Ball Game. Ray Cahill, former manager and umpire in the minor leagues, has been doing his bit over there both with‘the rifle and the Indicator. He writes to friends back home in St. Louis: “I got ho holiday on the Fourth of July, but had to take my life in my hands. They called on me to umpire a ball game and before it was over I wished I was in a shell hole somewhere where I would at least have a chance to fight for my life.” *

Kocher Goes to Work.

Catcher Bradley Kocher, formerly ot the New York Giants, and later with Louisville, has gone to work In a munitions plant at Hazleton, Pa., and will do some ball playing on the side. Shovelin, late of Columbus, is with the same concern. —.

ARMY CADETS NEED TRAINER

Unique Method Employed to Prove to Skeptical Officer Necessity of Such Functionary. Harry Tuthill, the only professional employed in any branch of athletics at West Point to wear a class ring—the honor was conferred by the graduating class of 1915—has been coma lieutenant in the aviation corps. Tuthlll was forfterly trainer for the Detroit Tigers and in the fall he trained the army football eleven. Later he became the trainer for the University of Michigan eleven. They tell a good story of Tuthlll at West Point. When he arrived there to his first team, an officer who had scouted the necessity of such a functionary was Sufficiently frank to inform Tuthill as to his doubts. “Why,” he said, “these boys are always in training; what do they need of a trainer?” By way of reply Tuthill forthwith sent a group of cadets running around the parade grounds. When they returned he ordered them to whistle. Not a cadet could do so. “There,”’said Tuthill, with a smile, “When men can do that and whistle after it, they won’t need a trainer.”

BASEBALL PLAYED IN CHINA

American Game Making Rapid Strides In Far East—Contests Draw Large Crowds. While we have been hearing so much about the 1 advance of baseball in England, France and Italy, don’t forget that another one of the allied countries also Ui booming it A newspaper man recently arrived in this country from China says thousands of Chinese are playing the game and that the contests put on in Shanghai often draw more than five thousand persons. If there’s evefr to be an international world’s series this newspaper man, whose name is Graham Barrow, says China wants in on it

WAR WORK FOR BILL UNGE

Once Great Outfielder for Chicago Cubs Wants to Help Y. M. C. A. in Training Soldiers. Bill Lange, once great outfielder of the Chicago Cubs, has disposed of his interest in the San Francisco Coast league club and his other interests in San Francisco, preliminary to taking up war work with the Y. M. C. A. He expects to be' sent to France. Lange has been successful in''business since he retired from baseball as a player, but he feels he can be of help to the soldiers and Is willing to pass up all his profits if the Y. M. C. A. can make use of him.

AIRPLANES USED BY PLAYERS

Baseball Team Taken From San Antonio to Corpus Christi, Tex, In Air Machines. The airplane has broken into the game. Some days ago. the baseball team from Brooks field at San Antonio flew all the way to Corpus Christi, Tex., to keep a date with the nine at that aviation field. The fliers from San Antonio w'on the game, by the way. They covered-the 100 miles in nine planes in a little more than two hours. Major league clubs have gone aviating before this, but never in seal airplanes.'

Famous Golfer Makes Munitions.

James EL Braid, tljg famous English golf professional, who five times won the open championship, is engaged in making munitions. He is forty-eight years old. -■ ~_•' '-1.

DELEHANTY DID NOT UNDERSTAND BUNTS

Couldn’t Make Sacrifice Hit as Ordered by Manager. With Runner* on First and Second and No One Out, Instead of Advancing .Them, He Lands on First Ball Pitched for Home Run. Charles Webb Murphy, who still fans seven days a week, though ha .la out of baseball, was watching Cactus Cravath of the Phillies hit those long drives of his during practice at the Cubs’ park In Chicago recently. “None of them can swat the ball like Delehanty could when he was with the team,” said Murphy. “He had some mates who could go too, Flick, Lajole and others. “I once heard how Billy Earl caught Uis first game against Delehanty. It seems that Del cracked the first ball, a'high one, way on the outside, for a double. Next time up, Earl gave another signal and Del nailed one low on the inside for a triple. “On Delehanty’s third journey to the plate the pitcher'threw a wild one that hit in front of Del. The batter caught it as he would If he tvere playing cricket, and converted it into a single. “Earl was plainly amazed. So when Delehanty appeared for his fourth effort, Earl asked, ‘Don’t you ever wait till the bAll comes across the plate?” “Delehanty grinned. ‘No,’ he replied, ‘Only the poor batters wait for that kind.* "Another time, when Shettsllne, now secretary of the Quakers, was manager of the team, an important stage came where runs were badly needed. Philly goto runners on first and second before anybody was out. It was then Delehanty’s turn at bat “Shettsline Ed to one side and said, ‘You lay down a sacrifice bunt now, and I’ll have the next fellow try to knock one out and score both men. Delehanty nodded. ‘All right,’ he answered. - “Shettsllne was surprised when Delehanty laid on the first ball pitched and slammed it out for a home run. As he rounded third Shettsline called out, ‘How was it you didn’t bunt?* “ ‘Oh, I never bunt,’ laughed Del. 1 don’t even know how.’ ”

SOLDIER BAT AND BALL FUND

Total of $102,684 Raised Within Past Fifteen Months—Equipment Sent to France. Through the efforts of Clark E. Griffith, manager and part owner of the Washington Americans, a total of $102,684.44 has been raised for the soldier bat and ball fund within the last fifteen months. The latest statement shows that $93,677.05 was spent between April 20, 1917, and July 15, 1918, leaving a balance of a trifle more than $9,000. Of the amount disbursed $63,865.29 was for the-purchase of baseball outfits alone. The equipment was sent to France and camps in this country. The expense of advertising, including postage, was close to $20,000.

HOME RUN HITTER IN DRAFT

Tom Daly, Who Poled Out Circuit Clout In Presence of King George, ' Called to Colors. Tom Daly, who achieved international distinction by smashing out a home run in the • presence of King George of England, is among the new draft men at Camp Devens. Daly’s hft came at a critical period of the game

Catcher Tom Daly.

played before the king on the world tour of the New York Nationals and Chicago Americans in 1913-14. Daly recently left to join the Fore River team in the Shipbuilding league, but was called in the draft.

Big Attendance at Games.

Big attendance is reported at shipyard games played Saturday and Sunday around Philadelphia. Four thousand fans saw the game between the Steelton and Fore River teams at Steelton the other day, with Eddie Plank and Hub Leonard the opposing pitch* T

HIS WIFE

By MILDRED WHITE.

ISTUS, Western Newspaper ” Union.) Richard’s arms stretched despairingly across his desk, and presently his head drooped, to rest between them. It was all over as far as he was concerned, and there was nothing to do but go away and leave Constance in her father’s care, from which he, Richard, should never have presumed to take her. But “love” at that time had seemed to be “the greatest thing in the world.” Wealth, and all its protecting comforts paled to nothingness besides. He had not realized in youth’s confidence to what length his ambition for his wife was leading him. . Creditors had forced the fact upon him —he was in debt, hopelessly in debt. How had expenses been allowed to exceed so completely his regular Income? Surely the smart Titttle coupe had been needful; Connie, perched on the arm of his chair, had delighted in the convenience of her purchase. The beautiful bungalow with its well-kept lawn had been her appropriate setting. The bungalow must go, this was now inevitable, the servants engaged by his wife must be dismissed. War conditions might partially excuse his own lack of success in money matters. He could bear the father’s contempt—it was of Connie he was thinking. How would she look when he told her the truth? What would she do? But there was just one thing, of course, that she could do. She must go back to her father’s home. White-faced, and with lines of suffering about his mouth, he raised his head —reached for the telephone—no, he could not tell her —yet He would write a letter, that would be the easiest way. • He would place the sum of their Indebtedness against that Of his income; Connie should draw her own conclusion and give him answer. Not once did it occur to him that his merry little wife might have shared the blame, yet it was she who had selected plans for the bungalow and its costly location. “ «■ > , When the letter was seht on its way, Richard left town for a business tripi On his return he would learn his fate. His own street seemed strange as he drove up to the bung: door, and the auto went for the last time perhaps—back to the stone garage. The rooms were empty as he passed from one to another, a speaking air of desertion hovered everywhere. In Connie’s own boudoir, bureau drawers and closets stood open—she had been packing—and was gone. Richard sank wearily into a chair and rang for a maid; his fears were realized; yet he knew that he had been hoping against hope, allowing himself to fancy the impossible—that Connie might still have loved him enough to face with him a new beginning of things. “Mrs. Byron started to pack Immediately upon receiving his letter.” the maid informed him. "She had left tlie address of her destination if he wished it.” Richard caught at the scrap of paper. “Willowdale,” he read in Connie’s writing, and that was all. He wrinkled his brow perplexedly, then sighed.' No doubt Willowdale was some new country place of her father's. They directed him at the railroad station. It was a small suburban town he learned, not far from the city. The agent at Willowdale shook his head when Richard inquired for the Home of Constance’s father. That great man’s name appeared to be unknown. “Mrs. Byron then,” Richard asked, “can you direct me to her?’ The agent’s face brightened visibly. “White cottage,” he replied, “across from the square.” Richard was still perplexed as he turned intq the garden path leading to the white cottage. It was a very pretty little house, with rambler roses climbing the'veranda pillars, but he could not understand what Connie should be doing there —and at the doorway she met him. He paused breathless before her radiant face. There were not reproaches, surely, in that evident happiness. “Come in,” said Connie. She laughed as he had not heard her laugh since those first joyous days long ago. Then at sight of her husband’s wan face, she put up her arms to draw him down* to her. “Dear,” she murtpured, “welcome, this is home at last.” Richard held her close. “You mean —” he asked eagerly. “That I. have never really bad a home,” said Constance. “Always there were servants about to order things—gardens too well kept to enjoy. Here there is but one small servant whom I shall order, Richard, and a garden full of flow-era that grow alone. • I chose the place and moved in while, you were away. The rest of our furniture shall be sold. It has been such fun to plan things out. Father wanted to help, but I would’t let him. This is our home —our very own; and so ridiculously cheap. This time there will be a surplus on the Income side. And dear” —Connie smiled tremulously—“you need not be worried and distrait any more or give me anxious wondering hours. We are free, Richard, we shall really live, you and i—ln this little real home of ours.” With a great content Richard gazed deep into the eyes of his wife who-had not failed, while clambering rosea nodded promise to them from the dopeway- _