168 THE ZEMSTVOS DURING THE WAR
directories containing the addresses of some 50,000 refugee families
 were compiled and distributed to local committees.
The subcommittee on refugee children performed a vast amount
of work. During the flight of the refugees many children became lost
and many others became orphans. All such children were directed to
Moscow by the guides or by special agents appointed for the purpose.
 The subcommittee collaborated with the various national
committees and with twelve organizations working for the refugee
children. Five clearing stations were established in Moscow, and here
the children were registered and given first aid. The subcommittee
was kept informed of the vacancies available in the existing homes
and asylums, and scores of new institutions of this kind were opened
on its initiative and with its financial support. The children were
gradually transferred from Moscow to the provinces and distributed
amongst the local homes and asylums. By July, 1916, the subcommittee
 was already maintaining regular contact with 807 asylums
scattered all over the country. Orphanages maintained either entirely
 or partly by the subcommittee numbered sixty-four, with
room for 2,794 inmates, and three-quarters of these vacancies were
filled. Altogether, about 3,500 children passed through Moscow.
About the middle of July, 1916, the subcommittee proceeded to
open special asylums for the blind, deaf and dumb, and otherwise
afflicted children of refugees. |
The labor exchange began to function in the middle of September,
 1915. It aimed at concentrating the employment organizations
ander its own direction and at opening a network of uniform labor
exchanges. In the autumn of 1915 a number of labor exchanges
ander the auspices of the Unions of Zemstvos and of Towns, the
Tatiana Committee, and other organizations displayed considerable
activity. The majority of the exchanges naturally devoted themselves
 to finding employment for the refugees. The central labor
exchange divided Russia into ten areas and sent a special instructor
into each for the purpose of assisting in the uniform organization
of the exchanges, of establishing connections with exchanges already
 in existence, and of cobrdinating their work. More than sixty
new labor exchanges were opened by the end of the year. The central
 exchange succeeded in establishing permanent contact with 153
exchanges all over the country. With the collaboration of local