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 purchased
 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 subcommittee
 was created in the provincial committee, where the families
 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 material
 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 numerous
 charitable organizations, relief committees, and women’s committees
 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.