USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington's part in the World War > Part 8
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In addition to branches and auxiliaries throughout the county nine units were formed in Washington, as follows : Business Girls, East Washington, Tylerdale, Beth Isreal, Community, Eighth Ward, Meadowlands, Knights of Columbus Girls, Sixth Ward. These met each week at various places making bandages, hospital gar- ments, etc. Prior to April 6 a small group of women belonging to the Womans' National Preparedness Association had established headquarters in the Armory where they prepared surgical dressings and hospital garments. Upon our organization Mrs. E. E. Crumrine was appointed the head of this department, which office she ever faithfully held. Miss Rachel Warrick was appointed official buyer for the Chapter and also head of the knitting department. Under her supervision the women of Washington and the county. painstak- ingly learned the knitting of socks, sweaters, mufflers, and wristlets.
The First War Fund Campaign of the Red Cross was held in May, 1917, and the total amount subscribed was $68.354.15. Twenty- five per cent of this money was retained by the Chapter for the purchasing of supplies, the balance went to the National Organiza- tion for war relief purposes. As the number of men entering the service increased it was found necessary to establish a bureau to look after the interests of the soldiers' families and dependents. William L. Moore of McDonald was appointed head of this com- mittee and he in turn appointed sub-chairmen in different parts of the county to look after this work. Mrs. Olive W. Grace of Wash- ington is in charge of the Home Service work in Washington proper.
During Christmas week of 1917 the first organized drive for membership was begun and a total of 22,000 members were secured, a gain of 12,000 over the number of members secured at organiza- tion. At this time began the cnrollment of the junior members and the organization of a Junior Auxiliary of the American Red Cross. At the close of the spring term of school 284 schools and one Parochial School were enrolled with a membership approximating 14,000. Classes were organized and the Junior members taught knitting and the making of various articles for the soldiers, and proved a great help in the making and filling of comfort kits.
In May; 1918, the Second Red Cross War Fund Drive was started and at this time $210,857.00 was collected, 75% of the total amount was retained by the National Red Cross and 25% was returned to the chapter, the chapter returning to each auxiliary the same amount in proportion to their subscription-5% of the 25% returned to be used for Civilian Relief or Home Service Work, the remaining 20% used exclusively for war relief work such as the purchasing of materials for surgical dressings and hospital garments. When the shortage of materials formerly used in the making of gas masks became acute the Red Cross was asked through its organization to undertake the collection of walnuts, peach pits and other fruit stones which had been found adaptable for this purpose. Under the direction of Edward H. Mccutchen at the Court House, 225 bushels were collected.
The National Organization realized as the war continued nurses would be needed for Camp and Foreign service and a plan was adopted by which the women at home could be trained to give such service as an emergency might demand. Classes in Elementary Hygiene and Home Care of the Sick were started in June, 1917, under the direction of Miss Gainor and Miss Armstrong, superintendents of the Washington and City Hospitals respectively. Classes in First Aid were started at the same time and were in charge of local physi- cians. In June of 1918 came the call for nurses and our County was asked for five nurses-twenty-one graduate nurses enlisted for ser- vice and later in the summer were sent to the various camps. When the appeal for clothing for Belgian refugees came in October there was an immediate response and in less than a month 9 tons of well sorted and carefully packed clothing was sent to New York for shipment overseas.
During the latter part of October, and before the influenza had become serious in our territory, an urgent call came from Division Headquarters in Philadelphia to send as many nurses east as could be spared. Five graduate nurses responded and were sent to the Du Pont Powder Company's works where hundreds were ill. Later, when the epidemic reached Washington, at the Chairman's urgent request, these nurses were returned and were put in charge of the Emergency Hospital opened by the Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross. When the situation became alarming, at our request three nurses were sent to us from Philadelphia .. These nurses were sent to different parts of the county where the situation was acute. A diet kitchen was opened in the Masonic Temple, which was given us for this purpose, and soup, custard, milk, and things necessary for a patient's diet were distributed as long as necessary. The Chapter was very ably assisted by the citizens of Washington who responded generously to the call for beds, bedding, hospital supplies, and contributions of money were sent for the purchasing of necessary hospital supplies, etc. Mention should be made of the splendid work done by our two hospitals,. every possible assistance was given by both of the superintendents and only through their splendid cooperation were we able to handle the situation.
In December, 1918, the second membership drive was made, with 20,000 people responding. In April, 1919, another clothing collection was made and four tons of garments were secured for the use of refugees of other lands.
HOME SERVICE IN WASHINGTON
It is to be doubted if any of us will ever again say that all statistics are "dry reading," if we recall the interest with which we read every report of the Washington County Red Cross Chapter, telling how many pieces of surgical dressings and hospital gar- ments had been made, and how many sweaters, helmets, and pairs of socks had been knitted; how we read every name on the lists of draftees going to the Camps, and when the news of the battles began to appear in the papers can we ever forget with what thrilling inter- cst we read over the long, long lists of casualties-with shrinking hearts, perhaps, for fear we might see the name of some boy we knew and loved-but we kept on reading !
. I need not say why these statistics gripped the attention of high and low, rich and poor.
The statistics of the Home Service Section of the Washington County Red Cross Chapter will perhaps be a revelation to the general public, because there has been but little real publicity given the work here in Washington, other than that propagated by those who have been, benefited by it.
However the fact must not be overlooked that every man, woman, and child who manifested an interest in the great Red Cross organization, whether financially or otherwise, has a share in the credit for whatever has been achieved by it, and it is peculiarly fitting that a place should be given in the archives of the County to the work accomplished by the Chapter in all of its departments.
Home Service particularly needs publicity, because it is a pioncer movement, and cannot be successful to the degree that it should, without the prestige which public recognition brings, and to this end the public should understand its aims, methods, and achievements, not forgetting that it is, after all, a "democratic, neighborly effort to be of real service."
In April, 1918, the Home Service Section was called into action here in Washington, being operated along with the regular Chapter work until July 29 when the chairman was appointed, and the
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WASHINGTON'S PART IN THE WORLD WAR
correspondence, relative to the several cases which the Chapter had handled, was passed on to her for the files.
In August, the Chapter put out some posters which gave a very comprehensive statement of the various subjects upon which the Home Service Worker was expected to be informed. These posters read : "Families of soldiers and sailors: IF YOU ARE WORRIED about rent, debts, insurance, sickness, the children, any business or legal matter, any problem; IF YOU WANT TO KNOW about allotments, compensation, War Risk Insurance, how to send mail, ASK THE RED CROSS HOME SERVICE SECTION."
It is altogether probable that some reader is just here asking- "How can she give correct information on all those subjects?" and this is the answer to that query: First of all, there is the red tape, of which so many complain, but without which no un-trained, in- experienced worker could go very far without getting the work "balled up"; then the Division Office supplies a Hand-book which gives explicit directions how to make inquiries about allotments, compensation, insurance, and mail, even giving letter forms to be copied, and telling, not only what to do and how, but also, what not to do and why; then there is to be had for the asking, the advice of the very best lawyers on business and legal matters, of the fore- most doctors when sickness comes on, and last but not least, a blank check book for the rents, debts, food, and clothes.
What more could anyone ask in the way of first class equipment, especially when back of this stands the personnel of the Executive Committee of the Chapter, composed of men of the largest affairs, broadest outlook, and may I not add the blindest faith; and then over all the name RED CROSS !
The first four months' work consisted almost entirely of giving information and writing about allotments and allowances, and try- ing to explain about the delayed mail to parents and wives, and getting their money for them, and the files hold the names of 256 soldiers whose families made inquiries, calling personally at the office, some of them two or more times, and for whom letters were written, either to the War Risk Bureau, the Bureau of Communica- tion, or to the Division Office in Philadelphia.
It may be interesting to know that the Red Cross letter heads are never used for such correspondence, nor does the name of the Home Service Secretary appear thereon, but the letters are written as if by the person making the inquiry, who of course receives the answer, and invariably, almost, the office is called up and the ans- wer reported-"what shall be done about it"-or "when shall I come to see about it," is the next step.
The Home Service was designed to be a "link" between the soldier in Camp or on the Field, and his family at home, and that this design has been carried out by our Section is shown by the telegrams in the files which read something like this: "Wire report for Paris-health and welfare of mother of Pvt .- follow with letter giving news," or "Wire report for Paris-health and welfare of family of Cpl .- - has not heard since September, follow with letter giving news."
This means to visit or get into communication with the family, getting family news and even bits of town gossip, then wire "all's well," and write the letter, the contents of which being relayed to the boy in France.
In this way many a home-sick or wounded boy has been cheered by thus receiving a message from home, and the heavy heart of a mother or wife has been lightened by word direct from her soldier. Two soldiers have called at the office to thank the "Red Cross" for this service.
Furloughs were much in demand for about a month or six weeks before the armistice was signed, and letters and telegrams came from Associate Field Directors and Commanding Officers requesting verification of "serious illness-wife of Pvt .---- fur- lough wanted"; here is one answer sent after investigation: "Wife of Pvt. able to be at movies last night." This is but a sample of that phase of the work, but some answers brought the desired furlough, as some of Washington's soldiers can testify.
One of the most interesting at the same time the very most dis- couraging feature c. the work is that of securing the unpaid allot- ments and allowances. It is so interesting because of its influence on the "morale" of both the soldier and his family, and discourag- ing because of that old, immutable law which makes "big bodies move slowly."
For instance, a wife will come to find out why she is not receiv- ing her allotment. The inquiry will be started in the regulation Red Cross way, and she will be told that it will probably be ten days or two weeks before there will be any results.
Two weeks go by and she gets impatient, and writes for herself to the War Risk Bureau, and in reply gets a "Wife's Application for Allowance" blank, which she fills out and returns. Two more weeks go by, and she again disregards the law about "big bodies" and so writes to the Congressman of the District, or goes to a
Notary Public, and makes an affidavit as to her eligibility to her allotment.
In the meantime the Red Cross is getting in its work, obtaining results, and several days after the allottee sends in her affidavit to Washington, D. C., her check appears on the scene, and she forth- with tells her friends that "the Red Cross is a real nice lady, but Mr. - got her allotment for her."
This is but one example of actual occurrences in our experience. It has been found that one of the most frequent causes of the non-delivery of checks, is the fact that allottees change their addresses without notifying the War Risk Bureau, and several weeks ago the report came that there were 150,000 checks returned to the Treasury undeliverd on this account, and there are in the Washington Files a list of names of allottees who cannot be found, and they are no doubt blaming the Government for trying to "cheat" them.
The reader has decided by this time, that letter writing forms a large and important feature of this work, which is true.
There have been received messages from the Canal Zone, and from Camp Lewis, in Washington, from California. Utah, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Massachusetts, all demanding investigation and correspondence or telegrams.
At the request of Commanding Officers and Associate Field Directors, we have assisted in getting the discharges of 38 soldiers. Some telegrams and the carbon. copies of a correspondence, tell the story of a very unjust Court Martial being stopped by our efforts.
A little notice in the papers brought 268 soldiers to the office for the purpose of having letters written claiming the $60 bonus, and if the ethics of Home Service Work did not forbid, the accounts of this bit of work would include some personalities which would add mightily to its interest.
Sixty-three soldiers have applied at the office to have letters written concerning their undelivered Liberty Bonds, their unpaid allotments, and other arrears in pay. Twenty-eight of these were Italians, and four were Greek. There are no carbon copies to show how many Citizen papers have been filled out, but there have been at least ten sent to Washington, D. C.
Every boy who entered the office, manifested a simple, quiet courtesy, and an absolute confidence in the Red Cross, which was a tremendous tribute to it, and an honor to every soldier who came.
One of the highest aims of the Washington Home Service Sec- tion has been to keep the record of the Red Cross up to the high standard it holds in the opinion of these men, by giving to them and their families positive help just when they needed it. Twenty- five returned soldiers have been given financial assistance, every one of whom had no work, but were trying to get something to do.
In helping the families of the soldiers the Red Cross's policy of extending service to a family only in response to a request from it, has been adhered to very strictly, and in the eleven months' opera- tion of our Section, forty-one families have been assisted.
If there were fears quieted, and anxiety relieved, such service can be told only by those who received it, and no one more than a Home Service Worker can know of the absolute necessity for sympa- thetic, prompt, and accurate information and help, during that time when those mothers and wives were compelled to do without their bread-winners and protectors.
Demobilization is going on, and the work of "After-Care" is pouring into the office.
This work, the re-education and employment of the boys who were "wounded for us," is our work, and will add another chapter to Washington's brilliant history of patriotic service.
BY MRS. OLIVE W. GRACE, Chairman.
PRODUCTION
The production record of the Washington Red Cross chapter is a long one, even though it is similar to the same division of work of countless other chapters in the state and nation. In August, 1916, long before the war, a branch was formed of the Women's National Preparedness Association and some work on surgical dressings, hospital garments, etc., done. Later when the branch merged into the Red Cross chapter the number of workers and the amount of production jumped to totals of vast proportions. At one time ten separate work units were engaged in various places in the city, with the central work rooms and headquarters in the state armory in West Maiden Street. There as many as 225 women were engaged at one time in making surgical dressings. On one occasion in the winter of 1917-18 there were 125 workers when the thermometer registered zero all day. During the influenza epidemic the women worked by special permission with all doors and windows open in extremely cold weather. There were 49 different kinds of surgi- cal dressings made, seven kinds of hospital garments and 17 kinds
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WASHINGTON'S PART IN THE WORLD WAR
of refugee garments, 'In all over 500,000 separate articles were made and shipped by the Washington Red Cross chapter, a record made possible only through the loyalty, patriotism, and industry of all the women of the town.
BY MRS. E. E. CRUMRINE.
KNITTING
Not to know the famous Kitchener heel and toe was a rarity among Washington girls and women during the war, so great being the local interest and work along the knitting branch of the Red Cross chapter's work that nearly every woman in the town did her bit. The experienced knitters taught the beginners during 1917 and in 1918 a wonderful production record was made. Over 12,000 pounds of yarn was bought and made up by the chapter during its 20 months of activity, there being shipped to Philadelphia about
17,000 knitted garments, over 2,000 comfort kits, and over 100 afghans and quilts. In addition to this there was sent to each member of Company H, while at Camp Hancock, one sweater, one helmet, and a pair of wristlets. Local members of the Washington & Jefferson and Dartmouth ambulance units were also provided with sweaters and comfort kits. And beginning with the group of selectives leav- ing April 25, 1918, every man leaving for camp received a sweater, two pairs of socks, and a comfort kit. Many of the men on truck trains were also outfitted. So carefully was the work done and so patiently were all imperfections remedied that before the close of the war the Washington knitters established the enviable reputation of having boxes of knitted goods passed by divisional headquarters without inspection and shipped straight to their final destination overseas or at home.
BY MISS RACHEL WARRICK.
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WASHINGTON'S PART F IN THE WORLD W A R
......
FALINGER, WALTER- Son of George Falinger, 45 Bur- ton Ave. Born August 29, 1894. Enlisted September 23, 1917. He was attached to the Motor Trans- portation Corps, and was honor- ably discharged from service in January, 1919.
FERGUSON, ALBERT D., 194 Lawrence Ave .- Born April 6, 1895. Was inducted into ser- vice June 23, 1918, and sent to Camp Funston. He was placed in the Chemical Service, and honorably discharged from the service of the United States January 7, 1919.
FERGUSON, LEWIS KRAEER-Son of Rev. and Mrs. Huber Ferguson, 355 E. Beau St. Born April 29, 1897. Enlisted September, 1917, and was sent to Fort McPherson. He was placed with 55th Medical Corps. 7th Division, and sailed for France August
I, 1918.
FERRELL, JOHN ROBERT -Son of Charlie and Lucy Fer- rell, 297 Burton Ave. Was in- ducted into service August 5, 1918. He was sent to Camp Cus- ter, attached to Company K. Transferred to Camp Grant and then to Camp Upton. Sailed overseas. Was given a Croix de Guerre.
FEATHERLIN, GEORGE B. -Son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Featherlin, 122 Church St. Born November 1I, 1885. Enlisted July 3. 1918, and left for Camp ยท Meade July 6. He was placed with Company C, IIIth Radio Service, IIth Division, and was later sent overseas. Private Featherlin returned to the United States in January, 1919, and was honorably discharged from ser- vice on January 9, 1919.
FETHERLIN, CHARLES- Son of Mrs. Frank Fetherlin, 309 W. Maiden St. Born July 23, 1894. Enlisted at Columbus Barracks December 12, 1917, in the Air Service. He was sent to Washington, D. C., January 12, 1918, and was honorably dis- charged from service January 3, 1919.
FETHERLIN, HENRY H .- Son of Mrs. Frank Fetherlin, 309 W. Maiden St. Born January 8. 1890. Was inducted into service December 14, 1917. Sent to Camp Sherman and placed with the Quartermaster Corps. He was transferred to Camp Han- cock, and was honorably dis- charged from service December 21, 1918.
FETHERLIN, THOMAS, 20 Brown Ave .- Born November 3, 1894. Was inducted into service February 6, 1918. He was sent to Camp Sherman, attached to Company C, 328th Infantry, 82nd Division. Sailed overseas June 8, 1918. Was shell shocked. Re- turned to the United States May 20, 1919, and was honorably dis- charged from service on May 29, I919.
FETHERLIN, SIMON N., No. 6 H II Ave .- Born April 6, 1886. Went into service June 29. 1817. Was sent to Fort Benja- min Harrison, and placed with Evacuation Hospital No. 2. He sailed overseas January 6, 1918. Returned to the United States April 27, 1919, and was honor- ably discharged from service May 8, 1919.
FILBY, GEORGE L .- Son of Robert Filby, Henderson Ave. Born August 2, 1886. Was in- ducted into service September 25, 1917, and was sent to Camp Sherman where he was placed with Company F, 359th Infantry, goth Division. He went overseas September 3. 1918, and returned May 30, 1919, but until July I, 1919, had not yet been dis- charged.
FILBY, RAYMOND E .- Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Filby, 109 Brady Ave. Born May 7. 1896. Was inducted into service May 25, 1918, and sent to Camp Greenleaf. He was placed with Base Hospital No. 57. Sailed for France July 31, 1918.
FINDLEY, ANDREW N .- Son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Findley, 46 Addison St. Born November 29, 1894. Was in- ducted into service September 2, 1917. He was sent to Gettysburg and placed with Company H. 60th Infantry. Sailed for France in April, 1918, and engaged in active service until he was gassed and returned to a hospital. Pri- vate Findley returned to the United States April 3, 1919, and was honorably discharged on April 9, 1919.
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WASHINGTON'S PART F IN THE WORLD W A R
FIORETTO, BAETANE, 25 Moore Ave. Born June 21, 1890. Was inducted into service May 25, 1918. Sent to Camp Green- leaf and attached to Medical Corps. He was transferred to Camp Logan, and was honorably discharged May 27. 1919.
FISHER, EMERY W., JR .- Son of Mr. and Mrs. Emery Fisher, 251 Lincoln St. Born November 23, 1889. Was in- ducted into service October 17, 1918. Sent to Camp Greene and attached to 13th Training Com- pany, 4th Battalion, 134th Depot Brigade. He was transferred to Camp Meade, and was honor- ably discharged from service' '11 January 15, 1919.
FISHER, HOMER-Son of Mr. Emery Fisher, 251 N. Lin- coln St. Born December 24, 1893. Was inducted into service March 30, 1918. He was sent to Camp Sherman, placed in the 316th Battalion, then transferred to Newport News. Sailed over- seas August 30, 1918.
FLYNN, ARTHUR HALL, 65 Victoria St. Born November 19, 1895. Was inducted into ser- vice May 25, 1918. Was sent to Camp Greenleaf and placed with Base Hospital No. 57. He sailed overseas July 29, 1918. Was made Sergeant. Returned to the United States May 26, 1919, and was honorably discharged from service June 3, 1919.
FOLINO, FRED E .- Son of Nick Folino, 30 Brookside Ave. Born November 26, 1895. En- listed March 15, 1918, in the Air Service and was sent to Kelly Field. He was transferred to Gerstner Field, and was honor- ably discharged from service February 24, 1919.
FORGIE, WILLIAM Parker-Son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Forgie, 16 Caldwell St. Born July 10, 1894. Enlisted May 17, 1917, with Company G, 56th Engineers, and was sent to Washington Barracks. He was later sent to Brooklyn Barracks. Sailed for France August 14, 1918, and came back to the United States March 11, 1919. Private Forgie was honorably discharged from the service' March 22, 1919.
FORINGER, JOHN A., JR .- Son of John A. Foringer, 21 Henderson Ave. Born July 8. 1897. Was inducted into service September 5, 1918, and sent to Camp Greenleaf, later to Camp Upton. He sailed from France November 12, 1918. Returned to the United States February 13, 1919, and was honorably dis- charged from Camp Dix March 4, 1919.
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