This card must be presented whenever rations are drawn. When drawing
rations keep it always in plain sight.
This card is _not transferable_, and will be honored only when presented
by the person to whom it is issued, or by some member of his family or
party.
Good only for 10 days.
Renewable after 10 days at the discretion of the registration officer.
Good only at the Relief Station of issue.
If any fraudulent use of this card is attempted it will be taken up and
no rations will be issued to the offenders.
“AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
“Instructions for Registering Applicants at Relief Stations
“The primary purpose of this registration is to provide a record that
will show how many persons are applying for relief from the National Red
Cross. Since relief is granted through a large number of sub-stations, it
is necessary not only that each station should keep a register of its own
applicants, but also that the headquarters should have complete records
for all stations.
“When any one applies for relief, therefore, a Registration Card should
be at once made out showing so far as pertinent and ascertainable the
information asked for concerning the applicant. When rations are issued
to a family or party both the Food Card and the Registration Card should
be made out at the same time. Registration may—and in many cases will—be
done by the canvassers who visit each family. These canvassers may
be: (1) officers of the Relief Station; (2) workers of the Associated
Charities; (3) representatives of the Central Registration Bureau. The
utmost care should be exercised to see that the persons registered for
relief are within the district assigned to the station issuing relief.
If any question as to boundaries arises refer the same to the Central
Registration Bureau.”
Among the directions for making out the Registration Card are the
following:
“(1) Surname and initial of applicant.
“Write legibly the name of the head of the family or party applying for
relief.
“(5) Present location.
“Give the best possible indication of where applicant can be found on
visit or by letter.
“(6) Former address or home on April 17th.
“What is wanted is the address that will be most useful in tracing the
applicant or his family in case inquiry is made by distant friends or
others.
“(7) Trade or occupation.
“In case the applicant has a recognized trade enter it; otherwise give
best indication possible of how he made his living.
“(13) Address of friends to be communicated with.
“Enter here any names and addresses of people to whom applicant desires
the National Red Cross to write in his behalf.
“(17) Plans for future.
“State any plans applicant says he has for future work, for leaving town,
etc., and any fact which may help in putting him on his own feet again.
“Treat all applicants with the utmost consideration. The relief afforded
is not a charity and is needed most by respected and honorable citizens.
More than nine out of every ten of the applicants will be self-supporting
in a few weeks. The few lazy imposters will be speedily detected and
dealt with separately. Assume every one to be entitled to relief until
clearly proven unworthy.”
Under the directions for the issue of Food Cards the purposes for which
Food Cards are issued are stated to be:
“(1) To make sure that every one entitled to draw rations secures an
amount proportionate to the size of his family or party.
“(2) To prevent imposters from drawing more than their proportionate
share of rations.
“(3) To furnish a record of the number of persons being fed at the
several relief stations, for the use of stations, and of the central
distributing authorities.”
In connection with the Food Cards the following cards have been issued to
provide for the giving out of other supplies:
FOOD CARD No. ......... DATE ..................