D 639 .W7 N45 Copy 1 National League for Woman's Service In Michigan -K(n\6T\al ledfipe Service, Mi The National League for Woman's Service In Michigan From March, 1917 to April 1919 Compiled 2)3> Mrs. R. C. Sherrill ^^■51 yi H^*^ Foreword "For God, For Country, For Home" was the slogan that the Michigan State Committee of The National League for Woman's Service placed in a storeroom window at 24 With- erell St. on March 29th, 1917. It marked the opening of what soon developed into a thriving war work center, where thousands of women volun- teers enlisted and were placed in many different branches of emergency work. Through the state the organization was also effected and various departments of war work have been successfully car- ried on. .'« ^ TRANSFERRED FROM ■• ^ oOiCAL DtVISIOi The activities of The National League for Woman's Service since its beginning in Detroit, briefly stated, have been as follows: SOCIAL AND WELFARE DIVISION Mrs. E. D. Trowbridge, Chairman. ARMY AND NAVY CLUB Mrs. Henry H. Sanger, Commandante. The Army and Navy Club was opened for Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in January, 1918, on the second floor of 124 Broadway. It soon outgrew those quarters and was moved into a fine old residence at 3 Madison Ave. in May. In this new home were provided reading, music, living, bil- liard and rest rooms, and later a dormitory containing 25 beds. The club has been furnished with taste and no effort spared to make it homelike and attractive to the men. An average attendance of 2,000 a week enjoy the privi- leges of this club. Hostesses are daily on duty and render many personal ser- vices that mean much to an enlisted man. Conveniences, such as checking packages, mending, use of shaving materials, bath towels, etc., telephone and stationery, are provided without cost. Over a thousand letters a week are mailed from the club. Assistance in securing employment has been rendered by the hostesses in a number of cases and every effort is now being made to help the returned soldier readjust himself to civilian life. During the summer of 1918 a pavilion was erected for dancing in the front yard of the club house and about 200 men were entertained a night. Dancing lessons were given when desired. Instruction in French and also English for Italian officers who were at the Naval Training Station for several months was arranged in the summer. *The Army and Navy Club was started under the Social and Welfare Division, but so efficient was its organization that it became a separate and independent department four months after its beginning. SOCIAL AND WELFARE DIVISION— Continued The Army and Navy Club acquired the Annex at 56 East Adams Ave. in October. Besides conducting a canteen, many dances and entertainments have been held in these new quar- ters, with an average attendance of 300 men each night. Girls from the Patriotic League and from a special list of volun- teers have been guests v/ho are admitted by card only. Fre- quent dances have also been held for officers, The management of the Army and Navy Club w^as recently transferred to a representative of the War Camp Community Service, the Committee of Hostesses being relieved from active duty, as the war emergency work they had volunteered to perform is gradually drawing to a close. The Annex, with the canteen and dances, will be discon- tinued May 1 St. An enormous amount of work has been accomplished by the Army and Navy Club. It has been a substitute for home to many thousand men. Statistics cannot express what the services rendered have meant to the men, for ideals have been created and strengthened in their hearts that demand a higher system of accounting than figures represent. ENTERTAINMENTS Two full years of regular and special holiday entertainments for men in uniform have been given at the Y. M. C. A. in cantonments at Fort Wayne, River Rouge Naval Training Sta- tion, Selfridge Field and Aircraft Production Depot. In co-operation with the War Camp Community Service, garden parties were given every Sunday afternoon during the summer of 1918, at the Grosse Pointe Country Club, when pier, grounds and club were thrown open to the men, and refreshments were served from a tent on the lawn. A band of from forty to sixty pieces furnished music, bathing suits were provided and the Girls' Patriotic League groups acted as hostesses. During the following autumn, winter and spring, in co-oper- ation with the War Camp Community Service, matinees were given every Sunday afternoon in the Elks' Temple theater for audiences of from 800 to 1,000 men. Two hundred tickets SOCIAL AND WELFARE DIVISION— Continued were given weekly to women relatives. These matinees had all star programs by leading vaudeville artists, by professionals from "The Follies" and other companies, also the donated services of a professional stage manager and an orchestra director. At present semi-weekly entertainments by local and visit- ing artists are given at the Y. M. C. A. and K. of C. huts at Fort Wayne and at River Rouge Training Station. The committee is also engaged, under the War Camp Com- munity Service, in providing American Red Cross entertain- ing for the sick and wounded men at U. S. Government Hos- pital No. 36, which has 1,100 beds. COLORED CLUB In June, 1918, when it was known that colored troops would be stationed at Fort Wayne, a club was opened for colored soldiers. Suitable rooms were secured at 76 East Adams Ave. They were comfortably furnished and equipped with musical instruments, games, etc. A committee of colored citizens was directly in charge and kept the club rooms open when soldiers were off duty and needed a recreational center. WOMEN'S CLUB OF THE SERVICE FLAG Mrs. Charles A. Coolidge, Commandante. A welfare club for w^omen having son, brother or husband in the Army, Navy or Marines, was opened in June, 1918. Headquarters were secured and a hostess was daily on duty. It was a social center from the first. During the day those who wished to do war work sewed or knitted. There were weekly evening entertainments which proved attractions for new members. Units were formed in the foreign sections of the city. Social welfare work under the direction of the Red Cross was carried on. By fall the club had over 600 members. It was gradually becoming an Americanization center for foreign born women who had men in the U. S. Service. As the work of the club was so closely related to the Home Service Section of the Red Cross, the League officially turned over this activity to the Detroit Chapter in October, 1918. 8 CANTEEN DIVISION Mrs. Charles F. Hammond, Commandante, April, 1917, to August, 1918. Mrs. Charles W. Baird, Commandante, August, 1918, to Sep- tember, 1918. Mrs. Henry H. Sanger, Commandante, Steptember, 1918, to As early as May, 1917, the canteen was organized for emergency work. Approximately 50,000 meals were served during its first six months of service. These included meals for the 1 6th Engineers and for the Shurly Unit at the Fair Grounds. The feeding of 170 men of the old 31st Michigan Regi- ment, three meals daily, was the first big piece of work under- taken. Thousands of lunch boxes given by the City of Detroit were furnished to the drafted men. Hundreds of women were trained for canteen work. So efficient were their services that the League was asked by the Red Cross to supply w^orkers for a Red Cross canteen at the Michigan Central Station. Whenever these women did Red Cross work the organization was to automatically become a Red Cross canteen. A canteen restaurant was opened in February, 1918, at 22 Witherell St., where men in uniform could buy home-cooked food at reasonable prices. The activity was a success from the first and thousands of meals were served during the spring and summer to most appreciative men. In August, 1918, because of stress of work at the Mich- igan Central Station Canteen, the officers who had been in charge of all canteen work in Detroit severed connections with the League. As larger quarters were needed plans for moving the res- taurant were effected in October, when it was moved to the Army and Navy Club Annex, where a modern equipment was installed and surroundings were made most attractive. Since September, 1918, approximately 64,000 meals were served in the canteen restaurant. FOOD CONSERVATION COMMITTEE In January, 1918, at the request of the local Food Admin- istrator, a Vigilance Committee was formed to assist in the enforcement of food laws by reporting irregularities to the Food Administrator's office. This committee was ready to render a definite service in case it became necessary to ration the city. While the work was principally in Detroit, the State Com- mittee was prepared to extend its organization for this work to different parts of the state if the food situation should warrant it. Restaurants, tea rooms, soda fountains and grocery stores were visited by committee members and much valuable in- formation secured. AGRICULTURAL DIVISION Mrs. W. Howie Muir, Chairman. In May and June, 1917, the Agricultural Division was ac- tive in promoting interest in back yard gardening. Consider- able gardening literature was distributed and an information bureau was maintained. Registrations were taken of women who could supervise gardening and a number were supplied the Recreation Commission who had charge of children's gardens. As several other organizations in the city centered their in- terest in Agricultural work, it was thought best for the League to turn over its Agricultural activities to them, although the Information Bureau was retained and much assistance given to individuals. WOMEN TAKING MEN'S EMPLOYMENT A committee, headed by Mrs. A. O. Dunk, did pioneer work in the spring of 1917, in encouraging women to carry on, when- ever possible, the employment of the men in their families who had gone to war. The first elevator women for the Michigan Central Station and for several Detroit office buildings were secured in June, 1917. In the summer of 1917 the League sent women workers to the canning factories in different parts of Michigan where labor was difficult to secure. 10 INDUSTRIAL DIVISION Mrs. Perry C. Hill, Chairman. This division, which was organized in September, 1917, has rendered important service to the Government, in being al- ways ready to assist in emergencies. A propaganda campaign to secure additional clerical work- ers for Civil Service positions in Washington was carried on with great success. This was done, through posters, issued by the League, which were widely distributed, and also by pub- lic speaking in schools, clubs, war work centers and wherever it was felt interest might be aroused. The Industrial Committee made a survey of 1 35 plants and turned over important information received to the U. S. Labor Department. Employment was secured for thirty girls in De- troit factories filling Government contracts before the U. S. Employment Director was appointed. Soon after her ap- pointment a number of girls were sent from Flint, Michigan, to Akron, Ohio, for Government factory work. This was done through the League's Industrial Bureau in Flint. For months the League maintained an office for the Em- ployment Secretary of the U. S. Labor Bureau. When the U. S. Women's Employment Director arrived in Detroit she was privileged to have her office at the League headquarters until the U. S. Women's Employment Service was opened. Since the armistice was signed the State Committee has offered to render temporary assistance through the U. S. Em- ployment Service to women industrial workers who are in financial straits because of the cessaton of Government fac- tory work. As Congress failed to pass the appropriation for Federal Employment Bureaus, the State Committee is assisting the local office by being temporarily responsible for the stenog- rapher's salary. During the spring and summer of 1918 considerable in- terest was aroused in the work of the Women's Land Army and a number of applicants were enrolled. MOTOR CORPS Mrs. Howard B. Lee, Captain, April, 1917, to Sept., 1917. Mrs. W. K. Williams, Captain, Sept., 1917, to March, 1918. Mrs. H. Cleland Allison, Captain, March, 1 9 1 8, to Jan., 1919. Mrs. Russell G. Pearce, Captain, Jan., 1919, to This was one of the first departments of service to be or- ganized. Early in April, 1917, instruction was arranged for women who w^ished to learn the mechanism of their cars. Con- siderable emergency work was carried on from the beginning. In March, 1918, the Corps was reorganized on military lines. Mechanical instruction, military drills and definite hours of service were requirements of active members. There was an Auxiliary Corps, composed of women who did not qualify as members of the active Corps. The work of the Motor Corps has included ambulance driv- ing for local hospitals, motor service for the U. S. Depart- ment of Justice, American Protective League, U. S. Food Ad- ministration, U. S. Ordnance Department, U. S. Army, U. S. Navy, British-Canadian Recruiting Station, Draft Board In- vestigators, U. S. Employment Service, U. S. Signal Corps, War Camp Community Service, Visiting Nurses' Association, Red Cross and delivery of all work for the American Fund For French Wounded. A memorable day's work was the distribution of 10,000 posters for the Patriotic Fund, previous to the campaign in May, 1918. One of the Lieutenants, Mrs. Paul Smith, drove a truck from Lansing, Mich., to Atlanta, Ga., a distance of 1,090 miles, in seven and a half days. In October, 1918, the State and City Committees of the League purchased a motor truck, which was driven by mem- bers of the Corps. The services of the truck were offered to all organizations in Detroit doing patriotic work. It has not only been used to deliver packages, furniture, etc., but being equipped with adjustable seats, it has transported entertainers to the different camps near Detroit and is frequently used to give outings to convalescent soldiers. 12 MOTOR CORPS— Continued When the Michigan War Motor Corps was formed by Gov- ernor Sl^eeper in August, 1918, the Captain of the League's Motor Corps, in recognition of the splendid service rendered, was made a Colonel to serve in the Michigan War Motor Corps for the duration of the war. Thus the personnel of the Na- tional League for Woman's Service Motor Corps in Detroit became officially recognized members of the Michigan War Motor Corps, who maintained their office at the League head- quarters. During the three months previous to the signing of the armistice the mileage of the Motor Corps totalled over 18,000 miles and cars were furnished 42 different oganizations. When the armistice was assigned the Corps automatically became again the National League for Woman's Service Motor Corps, and as such is continuing to "carry on" whenever there is a demand for emergency motor service. Considerable work is being done for the War Camp Com- munity Service in connection with the Information Booths, and many cars are provided the U. S. Government Hospital for convalescent soldiers. Regular service for entertainers is also arranged. OFFICERS OF MOTOR (OR PS From left to right: Mrs. H. C. Allison, Captain; Mrs. Russel G. Pearce, Mrs. Paul Smith, Mrs. Stanley Nute, Lieutenants 13 GENERAL SERVICE DIVISION Mrs. Clarence A. Lightner, Chairman. The purpose of this department was to supply trained vol- unteer workers to the different patriotic organizations and de- partments of Government needing them. Over 700 women were organized for this work, in teams headed by captains and lieutenants. Their services, which in- cluded copying, stenography, typing, interpreting, filing and statistical work, were given to the 26 local Draft Boards, U. S. Food Administration, War Savings Stamp Office, War Trade Board, U. S. Marshal's Office, U. S. Boys' Reserve, Red Cross, Women's Committee Council of National Defense, War Camp Community Service, U. S. Post Office, Board of Health and the American Protective League. Campaigns : In the second, third and fourth Liberty Loan drives booths were conducted in the downtown district, where over half a million dollars' worth of bonds were sold, even though the entire city had been canvassed from house to house. Campaigns for War Savings Stamps, Red Cross member- ships. Registration of Women, Patriotic Fund Subscriptions, ticket selling for various military and naval events were also engaged in with enthusiastic interest. Red Cross Investigation: From August, 1918, until the signing of the armistice, all investigations of Red Cross applications for overseas service were made by the General Service Committee, nearly three hundred cases having been covered. Registration : The committee had charge of the volunteer workers for the registration of "German Alien Females," which included the taking of finger-prints and the issuing of all cards to regis- trants. Capable handling of this work brought the request to take charge of all women volunteers in the registration of "21s" and "18 to 45s." 14 GENERAL SERVICE COMMITTEE— Continued War Exposition Photographs Committee: The League was asked by the directors of the Government War Exposition, v/hich was held in Detroit from February 2 1 st to March 3rd, 1919, to collect photographs of Detroit's men in uniform and exhibit them at the Exposition. Four thou- sand and thirty-four were collected and alphabetically placed in a gallery arranged for their exhibtion. Hostesses on duty during the day and evening had opportunities of performing many little kindnesses for the relatives of the men, particularly for those w^ho w^ere represented in the Gold Star Section. The photographs were carefully kept and returned to the relatives who loaned them. Information Booths: In July, 1918, the General Service Division of the League, in co-operation with the War Camp Community Service, opened an information booth for soldiers and sailors in the Michigan Central Station. Besides giving out information, the service rendered has included communicating with relatives and friends, checking baggage, mending, distribution of read- ing matter and countless personal attentions that mean much to a stranger or a man just returned from war. So successful was this first information booth that others were opened in the Union Station and in the Recruiting House in front of City Hall. Before Christmas a booth where ques- tions were answered regarding soldiers' packages, was in- stalled in the Post Office. For a time a booth was conducted in the Interurban Station when Selfridge Field was a great training center. APPRECIATION War work officials in Detroit have been most appreciative of the splcnd d service rendered by the General Service Com- mittee. It has placed volunteer v/ork on a plane never before attained locally, because by its organization discipline, train- ing and patriotism, the service rendered has been dependable and efficient. IS WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY Miss Elizabeth Miller, Chairman. In May, 1917, registrations were taken for the first class in Wireless to train women for this branch of service in case the Govenment should need women operators. The classes were held four nights weekly at the League headquarters and later at the Michigan State Telephone School through the courtesy of the telephone company. Two courses were given. The instructors were Govern- ment employees and as such w^ere expert Wireless operators. In the fall of 1917, when the demands on the Government operators were so great that it was difficult to secure their ser- vices as instructors, the Y. M. C. A. opened their Wireless classes to women. This courtesy w^as much appreciated by the League and thereafter all applicants for Wireless instruc- tion were referred directly to them. Considerable interest was created by the League in Teleg- raphy and many women were referred to the Telegraph Com- panies when they were in need of additional operators. SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Miss Lillian F. Armstrong, Chairman. An important w^ar w^ork of the State Committee has been the clerical assistance rendered Captain Pearl, Buric.1 Officer of the 32nd Division. While in France Captain Pearl kept complete personal rec- ords of the effects, location of graves and identification num- bers of the 2,000 men he had charge of burying. This infor- mation he offered to the relatives of the deceased in Michigan through the Detroit Free Press. Hundreds of letters were written in response to this offer. These, together with Cap- tain Pearl's records, were turned over to the State Committee. The Committee arranged the lists alphabetically, had copies made of the original records, and after Governmental con- sent, answered five hundred letters, giving all information available. Each letter was personally written and no effort was spared to obtain absolute accuracy. In condensed form they were printed in the Free Press. This work was done in co-operation with the Bureau of Communications, Michigan Division, Red Cross and the Home Service Section, Detroit Chapter, Red Cross. 16 17 AVIATION DEPARTMENT Mrs. John F. Orndorff, Chairman. Mrs. W. W. Nichols, Chief Assistant. On January 8th, 1918, the work-room of the Aviation De- partment was opened to make aviators' vests from donated furs. A power fur sewing machine and an instructor for same were loaned by Mr. Newton Annis, who also contributed furs that were made into 150 vests by the force of the Newton Annis Co. The Dittrich Fur Co. made and donated 1 vests and vests were made as rapidly as possible in the Department work- room. Through the influence of General Richard L. Hoxie the vests were brought to the attention of Army and Navy officials in Washington. After inspection and trial they were accepted by the War Department, Office of the Chief Signal Officer, through the interest of Mrs. C. G. Edgar of the Signal Corps Emergency Committee, and were distributed to the dif- ferent training camps as directed by Colonel Edgar. The vests did not become individual property but were used by the fliers each day, and in this way were of service to a large number of men. When the armistice was signed 425 vests had been shipped at a valuation of approximately $15,000. With the closing of the training fields the work automati- cally ceased and a sale was held of the left-over furs, the proceeds of which were for foreign relief work. The Aviation Department work-room has been a veritable thrift shop from the first. The many varieties and conditions of furs donated w^ere carefully considered and used to best advantage. Cleaning, brushing, combing and mending furs owners had discarded as worthless made them of great value for aviators' vests. The work was unpleasant and difficult, even in cool weather, but in summer it would have been un- bearable to workers w^ho were not imbued with a great spirit of patriotism. The many letters of appreciation from officers and cadets using the vests in different parts of the country prove the value of the service rendered by this department. 18 AVIATION DEPARTMENT— Continued From the padding material that remained after the demand for vests had ceased 84 baby quilts were made. These were shipped overseas by the American Committee for Devastated France. The thriftiness acquired in this department is being put to another use. Odd shades of yarn no longer salable in the shops are being used for refugee children's knitted garments. After they are knitted each garment is dyed, care being taken to secure the best shade possble from the original color of the yarn. The styles of the garments knitted are those pre- ferred by the little French children. KID VEST DEPARTMENT Mrs. J. L. McDonell, Chairman. Vests of old kid gloves and leather have been made in many work-rooms, but Detroit has reason to be especially proud of her product, which has several features not seen elsewhere, that have been highly complimented by officials in the Army and Navy. Nearly four hundred vests have been made by this Department since May, 1918. A large number have been distributed to Selfridge Field and many have been issued on request. The absence of "red tape" has character- ized their distribution. No boy who applied and needed a vest has been denied. 19 SEWING DEPARTMENT Mrs. Oliver C. Hutchinson, Chairman, September, 1917, to February, 1918. Mrs. J. H. Spining, Chairman, February, 1918, to June, 1918. Mrs. A. L. Pearson, Chairman, June, 1918, to October, 1918. The distinctive feature of this department was its emer- gency work. Comfort kits and bags were the first sew^ing attempted. Many were supplied to the old 3 1 st Michigan Regiment before they left ♦'or overseas and, through the Emergncy Committee, over a thousand were distributed to other groups of men. In co-operation with the Drama League, who raised money to purchase materials, many garments were made for French children and distributed through the Shurly Unit overseas. Sewing for the Red Cross and the American Fund For French Wounded was regularly engaged in. Emergency work included the making of hundreds of stretcher caps for Canadian soldiers, bath robes for convales- cent Marines, making garments from discarded men's shirts and from stockings. Hundreds of patterns were given out and at times quantities of home sewing were arranged for. Mending Committee: As an auxiliary of the Sewing Department a committee has been on call for mending since the fall of 1917. Regular mending has been done for boys at Fort Wayne, River Rouge Naval Training Station and for various companies of men sta- tioned temporarily in and near Detroit. RED CROSS KNITTING COMMITTEE Mrs. James H. Burtenshaw, Chairman. Many thousand pounds of wool were given out by this Com- mittee and the knitted garments turned over to the Red Cross. The services of knitting teachers and inspectors, daily on duty at League headquarters, were untiring and were most impor- tant reasons for the success of this Department. 20 EMERGENCY DIVISION Mrs. Strathearn Hendrie, Chairman Special Comforts Division for Coast Patrol Boys. Mrs. James H. Burtenshaw, Emergency Chest Chairman, No- vember, 1917, to February, 1918. Mrs. H. J. Maxwell Grylls, Emergency Chest Chairman, Feb- ruary, 1918, to September, 1918. The purpose of this Division has been to provide knitted garments, kits, comfort bags, games, phonograph records, cig- arettes, etc., etc., to soldiers and sailors needing them. The first work was organized in May, 1917, when a special committee undertook to provide comforts and games to the men in the Coast Defense Naval Militia, who were stationed along the shores of Michigan. Blankets, games, candy and knitted garments were sent and the committee kept sufficiently in touch with the men to ascertain their needs. An Emergency Chest has been a great source of supply to men in uniform needing knitted garments. Thousands have been distributed to individuals, requests for equipping larrje numbers being referred to the Red Cross. Relatives wishing to present knitted garments to their men in the service have secured articles from this chest and replaced them later. Hundreds of jars of jellies and preserves have been col- lected for hospitals. Musical instruments, cigarettes, games, candies, etc., have been supplied men in quarantine at differ- ent times. Early in June, 1917, 1 60 comfort bags were distributed to the men on the Don Juan de Austria. Sailors on the subma- rine chaser "Galatea" were also supplied with well filled kits. This was done in co-operation with the Navy League. Hun- dreds of bags and kits have been given individuals who v/ould otherwise have been unequipped. Three thousand Christmas stockings were collected for soldiers in 1917. These were dis- tributed through the Red Cross and seven hundred through the Y. M. C. A. at Selfridge Field. 21 PATRIOTIC MELANGE Miss Alice Ladue, Chairman. Mrs. James T. Kennedy, Vice Chairman. In June the State Committee opened a shop where con- tributed articles were sold for a war work fund. This was not a "rummage sale," nor a salvage, but a place where valuable articles that had become "white elephants" on their owners' hands, were donated to be sold. The shop, which was man- aged entirely by volunteer w^orkers, w^as most successful as well as one of the most interesting departments of League work. Melting Pot: A huge iron pot was the receptacle for donatiaons of many valuable articles of jewelry. Solid gold and silver were the only metals collected. Some were melted into bullion, while many articles were sold at a Christmas jewelry sale, Decem- ber, 1918, by which a special fund was derived for soldiers' and sailors' recreation. This activity started several months previous to the Mel- ange, was later carried on by the Patriotic Melange Commit- tee. o P^*" '« "MELTING POT" Miss Alice Ladue, Chairman ; Mr. A. W. Mordrach, Tester ot Metals and Jewels 22 MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Mrs. E. O. Mullane, Chairman. During 1918, at the request of the Y. M. C. A. Secretary at Selfridge Field, a Magazine Committee was organized by the League to secure late magazines and send them, fifteen at a time, to the boys at Selfridge. No magazine older than two weeks was accepted. Text books, especially on mathematics, were also asked for and a large number was collected and shipped. The services of this Committee w^ere also appreciated at the railway stations, where quantities of magazines and books were distributed through the Information Booths, to men in uni- form. This work was carried on in co-operation with the American Library Association. PUBLICITY AND PROPAGANDA DIVISION The State Committee has at intervals arranged for a num- ber of public patriotic meetings, when prominent speakers have addressed large audiences on the w^ar and war work. For a time informal noonday meetings, with one or more speakers, were held regularly. The speakers engaged have been the League's national officers, English, Canadian and American Army and Navy officials, Mrs. Basil Clark and experts in the different branches of war work in which the League has specialized. News letters have been sent out to 1 60 newspapers in Mich- igan whenever there has been new work or special propaganda to place before the public. POSTER COMMITTEE Miss Katherine Gridley, Chairman. Much effective work in aiding the publicity of the League was accomplished by the Poster Committee. The members were local artists who used their talents and ingenuity in pro- viding posters that would attract the public to the various de- partments of war work undertaken by the League. A note- worthy display of their work was the Poster exhibit of League activities shown at the Michigan State Fair in 1918. 23 SCRAP BOOK COMMITTEE Mrs. Arthur Buzby, Chairman, August to December, 1918. Miss Helen Gregory, Chairman, January, 1919, to In August, 1918, a committee was formed to make scrap books for soldiers and sailors in co-operation with the Amer- ican Library Association. No effort has been spared to make the books attractive and interesting and several hundred have been completed. Much of the work has been done by the younger members of the League, who have made it a popular activity. The Scrap Book Committee had a Knitting Bag Division which was responsible for many of the attractive paper knit- ting bags carried on Detroit streets. WAR LIBRARY WORK Miss Margaret E. Mears, Chairman. Since the signing of the armistice the War Library Depart- ment of the State Committee has made samples of light weight forms of reading and art material for convalescents, which have been sent to many parts of the state. TTie charts, which are 11 by 14 inches, are made of card- board bound with passe partout in a color that denotes the subject matter used: red for fiction, brown for outdoor sports, etc., so that hospital attendants may easily consider the indi- vidual tastes of their patients. These charts are being made in large numbers under the direction of this committee in several localities. FLOWER SALVAGE Mrs. E. Leroy Pelletier, Chairman. Mrs. M. B. Walburn, Chairman. The Flower Shop was a department planned to utilize the surplus garden flowers grown by private individuals. These were sold for the benefit of war orphans. TRENCH CANDLES When the call came for trench candles the League opened a work room, where many thousand candles were made. After the shipping regulations restricted their being sent overseas this activity ceased. 24 25 CENSORSHIP COMMITTEE At the request of local theater managers, the State and De- troit officers have censored new patriotic plays before they have been offered to the public in Detroit, UNIFORMS, PINS, BRASSARDS Many of the League officers and workers have worn the League uniform since the fall of 1917. The uniform consists of either a one-piece blue serge dress or a plain tailored coat suit of dark blue. The distinctive features are the League buttons, which bear the organization's seal, insignia and the large military pockets. During the summer of 1918a specially designed model of dark blue crepe de chene was worn. The Motor Corps uniform is of khaki and includes puttees and Sam Brown belts. The Canteen uniform is yellow, with white apron and cap and brown League hat band. After fifty hours of volunteer service League members are privileged to wear the service pin. One hundred hours en- titles the worker to the brassard, on which are added gold stars if the members so desire, one for every thousand hours, until six are secured, which represents the maximum honor. Gray silk embroidered service stripes are issued from the national headquarters, one for every six months of service. PARADES The League has participated in all the patriotic parades that have been held since the United States entered the war. Floats have been planned and uniformed groups have marched. MEN'S EMERGENCY CORPS A special committee of Detroit men who are interested in the work of The National League for Woman's Service and who may be called upon for advice and assistance in times of unusual stress, compose the Men's Emergency Corps. DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT Quantities of Government bulletins. Food Administration literature, knitting directions, patterns for refugee garments, recipes. Red Cross news letters, etc., etc., have been distrib- uted to the thousands of people who have visited the League headquarters. 26 RECRUITING MEN COOKS One of the early activities of the League throughout the state was the recruiting of men cooks for the Army and Navy. Through news letters to papers in the state and in the dis- tribution of hundreds of posters many men applied, and were accepted by the different recruiting officers in Detroit. DISCHARGED MEN'S CIVILIAN CLOTHES COMMITTEE Mrs. John Wright, Chairman. The work of this committee has been a great boon to the discharged soldier anxious to return to civilian life. A collection is made of men's clothes, which, after thorough fumigation, cleaning and pressing, are sold for the price of their reclamation, averaging three dollars for a suit in first class condition. ARMY OFFICIALS USE LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS The Detroit branch of the League has frequently been used by Army officers as headquarters for emergency work. Captain Hunt, S. A. T. C, University of Detroit, was re- cently given a desk in the office to finish up his company's discharge papers, covering a period of several weeks. Sim- ilar courtesies have been extended at other times. DAILY CHAIRMEN AT LEAGUE HEADQUARTERS Mrs. Charles A. Coolidge, Chairman. A committee of daily hostesses, whose duties included meet- ing the many people who came to the League for war work information and referring them to the proper department as well as solving countless emergency problems, rendered faith- ful service during the congested period when the League office was the center for many divisions of w^ork. As daily Chairmen they provided assistants for the telephone, clerical helpers for emergency work that was ever needed and workers in the Knitting Department. 27 CO-OPERATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS Miss Claire Sanders, Chairman. A plan in the national organization program of The Na- tional League for Woman's Service was that any woman's organization could affiliate with the League by forming de- tachments of service. In Detroit thirty-five women's organizations pledged formal co-operation and through them much valuable work has been accomplished. In co-operation with the Colonial Dames in Michigan, the state and city committees of the League presented a hand- somely embroidered guidon to the 607th Aero Squadron, who were stationed for several months at Fort Wayne. Overseas shipment of thousands of comforts, including hos- pital and comfort bags, refugee garments, knitted afghans, sweaters, socks, etc., made by the League, was arranged by the Business Women's Club. Through benefit performances undertaken by the Drama League at the Adams Theater nearly five hundred dollars' w^orth of materials for refugee garments was turned over to the League's Sewing Department. At St. Paul's Cathedral detachments of the League were formed to render emergency assistance for clerical work, mo- tor service, canteen and social welfare activities. During the summer of 1917 the Navy League, who were collecting garments for sailors on the battleship Michigan were privileged to share the League headquarters. GOVERNMENT CO-OPERATION Government departments have also extended their co-op- eration. The local Food Administration at different times turned over to the League money imposed as fines, also con- fiscated flour and sugar, the latter for Canteen use. Fines from Judge Heston's Court, amounting to $800.00, were contributed to the work of the General Service Com- mittee in recognition of the splendid services rendered in the Municipal Building. 28 CO-OPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS— Contnued The State Committee has co-operated extensively with the American Committee for Devastated France, American Fund for French Wounded, Women's Land Army, Young Women's Christian Association, Emergency Committee of the Signal Corps, American Library Association, American Girls' Aid, Stage Women's War Relief, the American Committee for Allies' Relief, National Aeronautic Committee and Fatherless Children of France. RED CROSS A close co-operation with the Detroit and State Chapters of the Red Cross was effected on a practical working basis. Red Cross yarn and sewing were given out and several thousand garments have been made. WAR CAMP COMMUNITY SERVICE A plan of co-operation between the League and the War Camp Community Service in Detroit was formulated before the latter organization opened local headquarters. There is also a strong national co-operation. In Detroit the League supplies the personnel for the Infor- mation booths, Army and Navy Club and Canteen of the War Camp Community Service. Entertainments for men in uniform have also been arranged with the League's co-opera- tion. PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL CONVENTIONS The State Committee of the League has been represented at large national conventions, where the policies and plans of The National League for Woman's Service have been con- cerned, such as The National Security League's Convention in Chicago, convention of State Chairmen of the League in Kan- sas City, annual meetings and conferences in New York City. League delegates were also in attendance to present League work at the war conferences of the Michigan War Prepared- ness Board held during 1918 at Escanaba, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Bay City and Ann Arbor. 29 CO-OPERATION OF DETROIT CONCERNS The League officers feel that the co-operation of Detroit's business and industrial concerns has been of inestimable value. Contributions, discounts on purchases, loans of machinery, furniture and various articles needed for a short time, have made possible many successful undertakings. The League solicited their interest in war work and is grate- ful for the co-operation received. GRACE COTTAGE CENTER At Grace Cottage Vacation Camp for girls, located on Lake Orion about thirty-five miles from Detroit, a small cot- tage was arranged by the League as a war work center during the summer of 1918. Numerous activities were engaged in. The girls were much interested in the "Chickenizing France" movement, started by the American Committee for Devastated France and under the State Committee of the League did much effective work in aiding this project. LEAGUE'S SUCCESS DUE TO MANY WORKERS The League's call for service has been heard by over three thousand women in Detroit. Their achievements have been tremendous, because they have been imbued with the spirit of patriotism. Only names of Chairmen of Divisions and Committees have been printed in the foregoing, although hundreds of workers have been responsible for the success attained. A small num- ber of names cannot be selected for print because so many are involved and the entire list of workers is too long to per- mit its being published at this time. 30 S 2 gj CQ .£ ri z : a: I CQ 31 DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMITTEES Under the direction of Mrs. William H. Wait, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Michigan, a state-wide plan of League organization was formulated where- by D. A. R. Chapters in 47 different cities could organize detachments of the League. These committees have been especially active in Marshall, Ann Arbor, Petoskey, Grand Rapids, Lapeer, St. Clair, Owos- so, Jackson, Ionia and Hastings. Among their activities may be mentioned the work in the following cities: Marshall : The Committee for League work was organized early in 1918. The following articles were made: 20 fur and leather avi- ators' vests, 5 large boxfuls of refugee garments, stretcher caps, knitted sweaters, helmets, socks and nmittens, crocheted shawls for refugee w^omen. In July, 1918, an appeal was answered from the Convales- cent Hospital at Camp Custer for 1 3 counterpanes, 1 3 pairs of bed socks, 1 3 comfort bags, 1 5 comfort pillows, and four large khaki covered pillows. One day monthly the Committee as a unit has devoted to Red Cross sewing. The work of the Committee in co-operation with the War Camp Community Service has met with much interest and success. A weekly mending day was instituted at Camp Custer when four members of the Committee w^ere on duty. Entertainments for soldiers have been planned regularly and a number of w^eek-end parties has been arranged. Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner parties and dances were memorable occasions to the many Custer boys in attendance. Other forms of hospitality for individual soldiers have been regular occurrences. Ann Arbor : Aviators' vests have been the chief activity of the Commit- tee in Ann Arbor, 47 having been made locally, and much interest awakened in them elsewhere by the distribution of patterns to many different cities. 32 Ann Arbor, Continued The State Regents of Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Oregon, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Indi- ana and Massachusetts were among those who received these carefully drafted patterns, from which many additional vests have been made for local distribution. Petcskey : During the summer of 1918 the Committee's workroom was used by women from 1 3 different states who were sum- mering in Petoskey. Aviators* vests were made. Since the armistice was signed considerable interest has been awakened in the Library charts for convalescent soldiers. Jackson Three departments of service have been active in Jackson. The Social and Welfare Committee has rendered impor- tant assistance to the War Camp Community Service in its local organization. The Motor Corps, which was organized in April, 1918, transported quantities of supplies to city and county work- rooms and later formed the Red Cross Motor Corps, reserv- ing a part of their organization for emergency calls from the State Chairman. Home and Overseas Relief Division has made hundreds of comfort kits, knitted articles, refugee garments and avi- ators' vests, using both fur and kid for the latter. Jackson High School Auxiliary, which has a state-wide rep- utation because of the splendid work accomplished, has been closely affiliated with the League's local organization. Owosso : The Committee in Owosso has been especially active in the work with the American Committee for Devastated France. They have had a local campaign for "Chickenizing France." A French war orphan was adopted and sheets and pillow cases for France have been made in the work-room. Quantities of jellies and preserves have been collected for Camp Custer. One of the most important pieces of work was the record that this Committee made of the soldiers in the war for a local history, entitled "Home Ties." 33 The Committees of the League in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Albion, Hastings, Coldwater and St. Clair have centered their interests in making aviators' vests of both fur and kid. Those who did not sew made collections and sent quantities of old gloves, leather and fur, to the state headquarters, where they were most acceptable for the vests made in Detroit. Muskegon : As in a number of other Michigan cities, the League was the first organization for women's war work in Muskegon, where over 500 women enrolled. Five classes of Nursing and two of Motor Instruction were successfully completed. Mt. Clemens: In June, 1917, interest was awakened in League work at Mt. Clemens. Kits and comfort bags were made according to patterns issued by the League and also a quantity of knitted garments. During the summer of 1918 making aviators' vests was the chief activity and much assistance was rendered by members from Mt. Clemens in the State Committee work-room in De- troit. STATE BUREAU OF INFORMATION The State Committee of the League, since its organization in March, 1917, has been a center for information where peo- ple from all parts of the state have written in for suggestions and information concerning war work. In response to requests thousands of directions for knitting, crocheting, making comfort bags, kits, stretcher caps, refugee garments, etc., etc., have been mailed. Hundreds of questions concerning employment. Civil Ser- vice and other Governmental Departments have been an- swered. Individuals as well as organizations, including the Red Cross, groups of church and school people have made use of this ser- vice, which the State Committee has been glad to provide. 34 BOYS* AND GIRLS* CLUBS IN MICHIGAN Miss Anna B. Cowles, State Club Leader for Girls. The State Committee has directed much of the war work carried on by the Boys' and Girls' Clubs, organized by the Michigan Agricultural College throughout the state. In addition to the wooden knitting needles and sock stretch- ers made by the boys, the following is a report of the v/ork accomplished: Dresses, 96; jackets, 255; bonnets, 629; boot- ies, 256; trench caps, 325; house-wives, 998; hospital bags, 11 62; comfort bags, 490; wash cloths, 59; joke books, 267; trench candles, 1,950; Christmas stockings, 154. Total, 6,641. Many of these articles have been distributed by the League for overseas shipment and some have been of service in this country. Hundreds of pocket housewives, made by the rural school children of Michigan, have been given soldiers located in many different states. An entire company in Georgia was supplied with them before they left for overseas. At present these children are busily engaged in making refugee garments, Library charts for convalescent soldiers and sewing carpet rags to be made into rugs for the rebuilt cot- tages in devastated France. Detroit school boys rendered a splendid service in keeping the League supplied with wooden sock stretchers. They were donated to the League and sold for 35 cents a pair, the pro- ceeds being used for League work. The co-operation with the Boys' and Girls' Clubs has been so successful in Michigan that inquiries have come from clubs in several other states asking that the same co-operation be extended them. 35 MICHIGAN STATE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR WOMAN'S SERVICE Miss Helen E. Keep, Chairman, March, 1917, to Mrs. Walter R. Parker, Vice Chairman, March, 1917, to Aug- ust. 1917. Mrs. Arthur Maxwell Parker, Vice Chairman, September, 1917, to ' Mrs. Garvin Denby, Treasurer, March, 1917, to March. 1919. Mrs. Edward W. Pendleton, Treasurer, March, 1919 to Mrs. Arthur Maxwell Parker, Secretary, March, 1917, to Sep- tember. 1917. Miss Eleanor Candler, Secretary. October, 1917, to Mrs. R. C. Sherrill, Executive Secretary, March, 1917, to Mrs. John N. Bagley Mrs. Truman H. Newberry Mrs. Harry C. Bulkley Mrs. Walter R. Parker Mrs. George L. Canfield Mrs. Edward W. Pendleton Mrs. A. W. Copland Mrs. James H. Campbell, Mrs. Andrew H. Green Grand Rapids Mrs. Perry C. Hill Mrs. Francis King, Alma Mrs. R. B. Jackson Mrs. W. B. Williams, Lapeer Mrs. Henry Bourne Joy 36 OFFICERS OF DETROIT COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR WOMAN'S SERVICE Mrs. Charles Denby, Chairman, March, 1917, to December 1917. Mrs. Edward W. Stoddard, Chairman, December, 1917, to September, 1918. Mrs. R. B. Jackson, Chairman, September, 1918, to Mrs. Charles A. Coolidge, First Vice Chairman, March, 1917, to September, 1917. Mrs. James H. Burtenshaw, First Vice Chairman, December, 1917,to June, 1918. Mrs. Edward W. Stoddard, First Vice Chairman, September, 1918, to — Mrs. Andrew H. Green, Jr., Second Vice Chairman, April, 1917, to September. 1917. Mrs. Charles F. Hammond, Second Vice Chairman, Novem- ber, 1917, to August, 1918. Mrs. Francis C. McMath, Second Vice Chairman, Septem- ber, 1918, to > Miss Mary E. Turner, Third Vice Chairman, March, 1917, to Mrs. Clarence A. Lightner, Fourth Vice Chairman, Decem- ber, 1917, to • Mrs. Harriet N. Atterbury, Treasurer, March, 1917, to March. 1918. Mrs. Charles W. Baird, Treasurer, March, 1 9 1 8, to Mrs. Edward H. Parker, Secretary, March, 1917, to Mrs. Richard H. Cudmore, Corresponding Secretary, March, 1918, to February, 1919. Mrs. George P. Palmer, Corresponding Secretary, February, 1919, to Executive Secretaries: Mrs. R. C. Sherrill Mrs. W. Ross Pulkinghorn 37 DETROIT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE- (Organized in March, 1917.) Mrs. Frederick M. Alger Mrs. John S. Newberry Mrs. John B. Dyar Mrs. Lewis H. Paddock Mrs. John B. Ford Mrs. James T. Shaw Mrs. William Lyster Mrs. E. D. Trowbridge Mrs. J. A. MacMillan Mrs. E. C. Wetmore Mrs. W. Howie Muir CHAIRMEN OF THE D. A. R. COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR WOMAN^S SERVICE IN MICHIGAN Mrs. William H. Wait, State Regent of D. A. R. in Michigan. Chapters Location Mrs. Walter H. Rogers Hannah Tracy Grant, Albion Mrs. Clement W. Gill Sarah Caswell Angell, Ann Arbor Mrs. J. W. Finney Louisa St. Clair, Detroit Mrs. A. D. Leavenworth Sophie de Marsac Campau, Grand Rapids Miss Carolyn Andrus Emily Virginia Mason, Hastings Miss Ella Hutchins Stevens Thomson Mason, Ionia Miss Martha Bancker Sarah Treat Prudden, Jackson Mrs. Lucy White Williams Nipissing, Lapeer Mrs. Florence W. Gorham Mary Marshall, Marshall Mrs. Ida Norris Hume Shiawassee, Owosso Mrs. D. W. Oakes Ot-si-ke-ta, St. Clair Mrs. M. H. Reusch Pe-to-se-ga, Petoskey *The officers of both the State and Detroit Committees whose names ai;e given on preceding page are also members of the Detroit Executive Committee. 38 Treasurer's Report STATE COMMITTEE STATE COMMITTEE, NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR WOMAN'S SERVICE From April 1st, 1917 To " " 1919 RECEIPTS First contributors for organizing State Committee work: Mr. Harry C. Bulkley _ $ 50.00 Mr. Stanford T. Crapo 50.00 Mr. Garvin Denby 50.00 Dr. Walter R. Parker 50.00 Contributions from various persons 962.50 Receipts from "Patriotic Melange" 5,400.75 "Melting Pot" and Jewelry Sales * 829.18 " "Fur Salvage" 347.39 "Flower Committee" for War Orphans 105.21 Total $7,845.03 *Recreation fund for soldiers and sailors. 39 Disbursements Organizing State and Detroit Committee office *....$ 121.70 Contributions to Detroit Committee 21 0.00 Dues to Women's Committee Council of National Defense. . . I 1. 00 Publicity (booth at State Fair, parades, speakers, public meet- ings, etc.) 487.47 Office expenses (supplies, telegrams, telephones, repairs, etc.) 392.92 Salaries (Secretary, stenographer, janitor) 384.53 Postage 25 7.47 Industrial Secretary (U. S. Labor Bureau) 1 0.00 U. S. Employment Service 75.00 Conventions and traveling expenses 394.48 Severing materials sent to Michigan Agricultural College and Jackson, Mich 85.30 Expenses for "Patriotic Melange" 523.66 Aviation (fur) Department 33 1 .3 5 ** Kid Vest Department 1 95.56 Sev^ing Room 1 4.30 Donation to National Fund of National League for Woman's Service 500.00 Donation to American Committee for Devastated France for French Poultry Fund 7.80 League truck (one-half paid by Detroit Committee) 600.00 Seats for truck *64.00 Insurance for truck ' 04.00 Expenses of truck (one-half paid by Detroit Committee) .... 143.21 " Michigan War Motor Corps 34.24 Material for French baby quilts 30.37 Fatherless Children of France (support of 3 w^ar orphans for year) 109.50 Auditor for State Committee report 5.00 Total $5,092.86 April 1st — Cash on hand 2,752.17 $7,845.03 MRS. EDWARD W. PENDLETON, Treasurer. *Paid from Recreation Fund for Soldiers and Sailors. Note. Plans are being made to use the balance no hand of the Recreation Fund ($765.18) to assist in establishing social clubs for war veterans in different parts of the State. 40 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS