140 THE ZEMSTVOS DURING THE WAR 
moreover, were equipped with whatever was indispensable. When the 
weather grew colder the relief committees concentrated their efforts 
on purchasing firewood at a reduced price, or obtaining it perhaps 
free of charge. All the relief committees opened special employment 
bureaus for soldiers’ wives. These were given instruction in sewing 
and designing, and large numbers of sewing machines were pur- 
chased and often handed over to the women against payment by 
2asy instalments and sometimes without any payment. Orders were 
obtained from private firms, the zemstvos, and the Government. The 
reports of ten out of the nineteen relief committees deal with the 
work accomplished by 2,100 women, who in the course of one year 
executed orders to the value of 150,000 rubles. They were also given 
employment in factories, in the various city departments, and as 
servants in private families. Day nurseries were established for 
children.® 
In Moscow the provincial zemstvo committee devoted its attention 
n the first place to those families of mobilized soldiers who were 
anxious to return to their native villages. The chaotic conditions 
prevailing on the railways during the first months of the War, and 
the destitution of these families, made the problem far from easy. 
Still, notwithstanding these difficulties, it was found possible to 
send back to their homes a total of 10,330 families up to the middle 
»f November, 1914. To help the remaining families, a special sub- 
committee was created in the provincial committee, where the fami- 
lies of mobilized men were given free legal assistance in obtaining 
employment and in placing their children in homes or orphanages. 
Among other things, the Central Committee of the Zemstvo Union 
established at Moscow a large number of tailoring shops where ma- 
terial was cut and distributed for women who work in their homes. 
Dut of the 85,000 women employed on this work, 21,000, that is, 60 
per cent, were soldiers’ wives. 
Relief measures of practically the same kind were being taken in 
all the provincial and district towns of Russia. Everywhere numer- 
ous charitable organizations, relief committees, and women’s com- 
mittees were rallying round the Unions of Zemstvos and of Towns, 
to collect donations for soldiers’ families and to make a careful 
study of their wants. Dwellings, fuel, warm clothing, underwear, 
3 Igvestia (Bulletin), Nos. 80-31, pp. 223-227.