“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.”