Red Cross Department [pp. 480-487]

RED CROSS DEPARTMENT
ing Ross Valley Red Cross, placed at the disposal of the San Francisco Society a home
for convalescing soldiers, four to be accom
modated at one time. Permission was granted
our nurse, Neilsen, to accompany those who
were too ill to take care of themselves. He
has made each week a special visit to Ross
to look after their welfare and keep posted as
to the condition of their health. Nine men
have been cared for up to the present time,
and all expenses incurred have been borne by
the Ross Valley Society, excepting the traveling expenses, which were paid by this Society.
Mrs. C. T. Mills, of Mills College, has
thrown open her home to convalescents also,
and a large number of soldiers have been her
guests, receiving the kindest care possible.
The routine and clerical work of the Society is done at the Headquarters generously
provided by Mr. Claus Spreckels in the Claus
Spreckels Building. Secretaries and attendant committees are found here most of the
day. Theirs is not the high office of ministering to the distressed soldier nor are they inspired by the spectacular features of incoming troops or departing transports. They are
content if by well directed effort they may
~make the way smooth for others to walk in.
Three thousand three hundred and twelve letters have been written up to date. It has been
a pleasure to read the cordial letters of acknowledgment of favors shown the soldiers
from commanding officers, and the grateful
thanks of the men are legion. Here the Assistant Treasurer is always found ready to receive money and to pay it out if he must.
It was found necessary in view of the innumerable questions propounded by visitors
to establish an Information Bureau. Mrs.
A. P. Redding, and afterwards Mrs. Geo. G.
Carr have graciously attended to this department.
The Press Committee, Miss Anne Bryce,
chairman, have endeavored to supply the
newspapers with such items as would serve
to set forth the good work of the Society,
hoping to draw towards us the confidence and
the dollars of our good San Francisco public.
The Badge Committee, with Mrs. L. L.
Dunbar, afterwards Mrs. E. C. Wright, and
lastly Mrs. J. R. Looseley, as chairman, have
struggled with great patience to provide over
ten thousand members with badge pins.
All the purchasing done by the Society has
been done by Mrs. W. R. Smedberg, chair
man and committee all in one. Drugs and'
food supplies, clothing, and furniture, almost
everything that a man can wear and eat and
use in camp, it has been her work to supply.
The work of the Committee on Stores is to,
keep informed of the stock on hand at the
supply depot, and to report to the Executive
Committee. Mrs. F. J. Symmes and Mrs.
Hubbard afterwards have attended to this
work, Mrs. Symmes in addition having inaugurated a system of requisitions by which the
outgo from the Society may be easily kept
track of.
Printing and Auditing committees have
been in charge of Mr. John F. Merrill. Mr.
A. Mack, as chairman of by-laws, presented
us with a constitution which was readily accepted on June IIth.
The rest of the committees are the feeders.
of the fund. The Entertainment Committee,.
Mrs. Edna Snell Poulson, chairman, reports
as follows:
Proceeds from Children's Enter tainments........................$I,002.79
Proceeds from Entertainments by
Clubs, Fraternities, and Churches I,059.35:
Football and Baseball Games...... 21I 5.o5
Concert given by Misses Fbbetts
and Desrens..................... I I8.oo.
Paloma Schramm Concert......... Ioo00.35,
Mrs. Eleanor Martin's reception.... 1I,260.0oo.
Other receptions, musicales, etc.... 326.6I
Cineographs and Phonographs..... 56.o~
Union Coursing Park Races...... 207.25
San Francisco Jockey Club Races.. I,5I4.0o
Fritz Scheel Concert, Baldwin
Theatre......................... 219.0o
Orpheum Theatre..............2.. 203.05,
Picture Exhibition and Sale, S. F.
Press Club Rooms................ 766.70,
Drill and Review, I3th Infantry
Minnesota Volunteers, Colonel
C. McReeve commanding, under
auspices of Directors of Mechan ics' Institute and the Forum Club 715.oc00,.
Drill and Review, 51st Infantry,
Iowa Volunteers, Colonel John
C. Loper commanding, under
auspices N. D. G. W. aid.......... 502.o0,
Celebration of "The Fall of the
Bastile," by the FrenchSociety... I,844.oS
Drill and Review 7th California In fantry Volunteers, Colonel John
R. Berry commanding, under au spices Golden Gate Command ery, Knights Templar No. i6.
Supper given!by Red Cross So ciety to all California Troops in
San Francisco................. 1,205.60
Drill and Review First Infantry
Tennessee Volunteers, Colonel
Smith commanding, under au spices California Knights Tern
48,5