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VINTAGRAPH • WPA • WWII • YOU MEAN A WOMAN CAN OPEN IT?

Papers Aplenty: 1918

Washington, D.C., circa 1918. "Red Cross salvage and paper drive." Anyone have a match? National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., circa 1918. "Red Cross salvage and paper drive." Anyone have a match? National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.

 

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She needs the match

Enough of this. My feet hurt and I deserve better. I am going to burn my bridges behind me and leave this madness and go to California where it is warmer and maybe I can get into the movies

Who needs a match

with that spliced wire leading to the bare bulb hanging above! Note that the wire changes from straight to twisted pair at the feeble looking splice. The rats' nest of wires along the wall looks like a fire-in-waiting, too!

Salvage Sunday


Washington Post, Aug 26, 1918.

‘Salvage Sunday’ Observed

Large Quantities of Waste Collected to Raise Red Cross Funds.

The first "salvage Sunday" was observed yesterday, and the reports from the various precincts of the District Chapter of the Red Cross were to the effect that large quantities of paper, rags, tinfoil, old rubber and similar materials have been collected. Large trucks were put at the disposal of the Red Cross, which spent the day in gathering the various articles.

Mrs. Charles Peck, chairman of the waste paper committee, reported at an early hour yesterday that more paper had been collected than could be handled and collections were discontinued until today.

The salvage campaign has been on for over a month, but yesterday was the first time that a concentrated drive has taken place.


Washington Post, Sep 6, 1918.

Collect 580 Pounds of Paper

Virginia Ave. Playground Children
"Working for the Soldiers."

Children in the playgrounds have become much more interested in gathering paper, rubber and tinfoil in the Red Cross salvage campaign, "working for the soldiers," as they say. In most cases, they carry it to the nearest engine house. The Virginia Avenue playground collected during the week ended August 31, 580 pounds of paper.

According to Miss Rhodes, in charge of the work, other playgrounds have done as well. At the Mt. Pleasant grounds, the boys did a rushing business collecting the old rubber heels from the cobbler in the vicinity.

Awaiting follow up photo

"Red Cross paper salvage building in tragic blaze."

Exposed wires, paper all over, copious 20th century smokers in the workplace. A perfect storm.

Ill-fitting Shoes

Judging from the lady's facial expression she is not a happy "driver". At least part of her mood can safely be blamed on her shoes, the prime device for podiatric torture in her day.

The donated clocks on the left-

I wouldn't mind salvaging any of them, now prized antiques. I also see a vintage bicycle and sewing machine peeking out of the stacks to the right. But all went to a good cause. Everyone remembers the photos of the American forces benefitting from all the kindness and charity the Red Cross provided during both world wars.

Accident waiting to happen.

Almost looks like a match in hand.
Anyway, nothing like asking for trouble.

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