w Sending $5,000,000 a day to dependents of our fighting men is typical of the tasks which make the Office of Dependency Benefits at Newark, N. J., one of the busiest spots in America. Its 10,000 hustling employees speed miles of mechanical proc esses and recordings to get Uncle Sam’s green checks to families throughout the nation. Applications flow in at the rate of 12,000 a day. Only a year old, this rapidly growing office has had an exhilarating effect on the Newark post office. There, since O. D. B. began to function, every day is a “Christmas rush.” Great mailbags of government checks keep moving out, while huge volumes of mail come in. Ihe work of the O. D. B. is not simply a matter of writ ing out so many checks and sticking them in the mails. For there are those who would take money from the men who are fighting for America by making illegal applications for dependency benefits. Few, if any» get away with it be cause all applications are thoroughly investigat ed and long rows of clerks read every piece of mail. CIRCULAR SORTER — Above: A high speed machine used by O. D. B. for quickly sort ing completed authorizations. BRIG. GEN. HAROLD N. Gilbert, left, is director of the O. D. B. His 27 years of army | experience have given him first r hand knowledge of a soldier’s P problems. He has been award ed the Distinguished Service 1 Cross, Distinguished Service 1 Medal, and the Purple Heart. SCHOOL—New employees take courses to prepare for their duties and to become acquainted with the machinery and opera tions of the agency. O. D. B. is the largest mail order business ever operated anywhere. MECHANIZED ACCOUNTING—Top left: This machine signs General Gilbert’s name to millions of checks every month. Top right: One hundred and fifty checks a minute pour from this collator. Bottom: From holes in master payment cards, this ma chine writes a complete voucher. INFORMATION— Special problems are. I cleared up at the pub lic relations office.. Released by Western Newspaper Union. MEAT AND PROTEINS While the rationing of sugar, but ter, tea and coffee caused consid erable dismay, the rationing of meat has caused more concern than any other single iooa. Most food experts will agree that not only is meat an im portant food from the standpoint of nutrition or body building, but in the minds and the diges tion of the majority of us. nothing quite ltpi:MKg satisfies the stom I ^ ach and the appetite Dr. Barton as does meat. What then is likely to happen to the health of the in dividual and the nation if we cannot | obtain all the meat we need? The reason that meat is so important to j health and strength is because of its richness in protein and the protein of animal food—meat—is richer and is more completely digested and ab sorbed into the blood than is protein from vegetables. However, there are two points that make us more satisfied to eat pro tein as furnished in fish and eggs (other animal proteins) and the pro I teins in vegetables, especially peas and beans. In Hygeia, the health magazine, Phoebe Mayo Walters, Corona, Calif., explains that while it is the protein in meat that is nec essary to life, it is not the meat it self because other foods rich in pro tein may be made to do almost as well as meat in furnishing the nec essary protein. Fish is one of those foods, as is also cheese in any form. Other foods high in protein are those of the dry bean family—white, navy and kidney beans, soybeans, peanuts and peanut butter. The second point is that there is no reason why we should buy the 1 expensive cuts of meat, because there is no difference in the amount or quality in expensive or cheap cuts. For years, physicians have been advising patients with thin blood to eat more of the gland meats—kid neys, liver, heart—which foods are not usually rationed. Finally, there are food substitutes designed to resemble various com mon foods which are really rich in food value and are not rationed. The thought then is that we should all eat our full ration of meat if we are well and about on our feet, eat more fish, eggs, cheese, and green and yellow vegetables. If, then, we feel that we want or need more meat, remember that it is the pro tein that the body needs and there are plenty of other foods that are rich in protein. • • • Infected Appendix A Constant Threat The story is told of two British mining engineers about to go on a prospecting trip. Both were in ex cellent health but as they thought of their destination, its distance from civilization, they decided to enter a hospital and have the appendix re moved before starting. Most physicians would agree that these engineers were wise. Further, physicians are agreed that while the appendix must have had some use in the body in pre historic times, there is at present no definite use for it. The appendix is Just a remnant or trace of a once useful organ that has not completely disappeared from man. It is a blind pouch that may rest or lie in vari ous positions about the last part of the small and the beginning of the large intestine. It has its own blood supply and a closing or obstructive arrangement at its base. Even in health it is filled with infective ma terial and it contains a large amount of lymphoid or spongy tissue (simi lar to tonsils and adenoids) which is particularly easy to infect. Because there is “always" the chance of infection present, Drs. Boyce and Nelson believe that any attack of appendicitis should be considered and treated as a serious attack. "The problem of acute appendici tis would be solved and its challenge met if the public could be taught and j if physicians would remember (1) that any abdominal pain may be the first symptom of acute appendicitis; (2) that food, fluids and particularly purgatives should be withheld in every case of abdominal pain until it is definitely decided that acute ap pendicitis is not present, and (3) that prompt operation should be per formed as soon as the physician is reasonably sure that acute appendi citis is present. • • • QUESTION BOX Q.—Is brewer’s yeast the same as is used in making bread? A.—It is the same as in bread. Your druggist can supply you with brewer’s yeast in tablet form. It is not expensive. • • • Q.—Please give me a definition of the word ’’thrombosis.” A.—Thrombosis is a closing, or partial closing, of a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle with blood. AAA Plans to Boost Production, Save Soil Federal Payments for Conservation Continued To help prevent disastrous soil depletion through using up of all the stored-up fertility for one tremen dous harvest, a fund of 300 million dollars has been made available by congress to assist farmers in carry ing out growing practices that will ! not only increase production imme diately, but will also keep the land ! in condition for another high-level I crop in succeeding years. Direct ! payments from the Agricultural Ad justment agency will be provided in some cases, while in others needed materials will be supplied, such as lime, phosphate and seeds. Because of the variation in prac tices adaptable to the different grow ing regions, state and federal agen cies will co-operate in working out an approved list for each state. The rate of payment will be determined by taking into consideration topog raphy, soil, climate, conservation j needs in the specific area, and the importance of each practice to pro duction. Farmers will receive pay ments, as in the pa$t, in proportion to how well they follow the prac tices for their farms. Increases In yields per acre of crops in all parts of the country during recent years have been par ticularly marked in those sections where materials have been general ly distributed. For example, be fore the Triple-A soil improvement program began, the com yield av eraged 23.5 bushels. In the last three years the average com yield for the United States was 31.5 bushels. Wheat yields went up 4.5 bushels and the hay harvest was upped from a ton and a quarter to a ton and a half, while potatoes increased from 108 to 133 bushels and cotton from *• ■ - v i —> im ii ■iwww A lime-spreader working on a let tuce field In Cumberland county, Maine. The Agricultural Adjust ment agency can provide fertiliser materials and seeds when needed, under its conservation program. ; 181 to 253 pounds to the acre in the i same period. The 1944 practice program has a five-way emphasis: (1) expansion of agricultural use of lime, phosphate and other fertilizers; <2) promotion of legume, bay and grass seed har vest; (3) erosion control and water conservation measures; (4) range and pasture practices; and (5) sup plementing of existing distribution channels, as well as adjustment of manufacture and delivery of lime and phosphate to keep movement on a more equal basis and do away | with slack periods. 1 Approximately 190 million dollars will have been earned by farmers for soil-building and range practices under the 1943 program, according to prfiliminary estimates. This is an increase of 11 million dollars over 1942, of 68 million dollars over 1941 and of 75 million dollars over 1940, or a raise of 65 per cent in three years. Agricultural Notes The domestic wheat supply for the 1943-44 marketing year is now indi cated at about 1,400 million bushels, which is 213 million bushels below the record supply in 1942-43. • • • Small quantities of hydrated lime will effectively deodorize and dis infect poultry manure. • • I Extremely large draft horses seem to have had their day. Draft mares 16Vi hands high and weighing 2,000 pounds are as large as the industry requires. A satisfactory stallion measures 17 hands and weighs 2,000 to 2,200 pounds. Their offspring can be raised largely on roughage and still be big enough to fit the farmer’s demands and to reach 16 hands and 1,600 pounds, the popular size for most horse markets. • • • Good care should be taken of bor rowed equipment so it can ba re turned in the same condition to own er. Machines should not be re loaned to anyone without the own er’s permission. Owner’s attention should be called to any parts dam aged or broken before use. • • • The department of agriculture es timates that crops of dry beans, peas, peanuts, flaxseed, rice, pota toes and sugar cane will be con siderably larger than last year, be cause of increased acreage. I [patterns SEWuNG CORCLE ~ Party Frock V'OU’LL look so charming and * feel so cool in this lovely frock with eyelet embroidered yoke. Perfect junior fashion. • • • Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1768-B de signed for sizes 11, 13. IS, 17 and 19. Cor responding bust measurements 29, 31, 33. 35 and 37. Size 13 (31), short sleeves, re quires 3*/« yards 39-lncta material; % yard eyelet embroidery. Canada Issues Five-Cent Piece Having 12 Sides Canada has issued a new flve cent piece which is 12-sided rather than round. It is definitely a vic tory model and has already been christened “Blackout.” On its face ' is the Roman V, symbolic of vic tory and the torch of sacrifice. Around the border appears this telegraphic code: “We Win When We Work Willingly.” Made of tombac alloy, this new coin will save about 60 tons of nickel annually. Matched Ensemble DUILD your fall wardrobe around a jumper and jacket! This princess cut jumper fits with flattering, slim lines; the jacket is shaped to minimize your waist line. • • • . Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1821-B Is de signed for sizes 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. 20. Cor responding bust measurements 28. 30. 32. 34. 36. 38. Size 12 (30) ensemble, with long sleeves, requires 4S,» yards 30-lnch material. Due to an unusually large demand and current war conditions, slightly more time is required in filling orders for a few of the most popular pattern numbers. Send your order to: SEWING CIRCLE PATTERN DEPT. 530 South Wells St. Chicago Enclose 20 cents in coins for each pattern desired. Pattern No......Size. Name . Address . Stripes First Stripes of the American flag are 1714 months older than the oldest stars. The Grand Union flag, which was the Continental emblem from January 2, 1776, until June 14, 1777, consisted of 13 stripes, al ternately red and white. The stars were introduced into the flag when the Continental Con gress adopted the Stars and Stripes officially. ASK ME 7 A quiz with answers offering ? {ANOTHER: information on various subjects ? The Questions 1. What war was being fought when the “Star Spangled Banner” was written? 2. The name Euclid calls to mind the science of what? 3. Do radio waves pass through a wire as electrical waves do or not? 4. When Lincoln was re-elected President in 1864, who was his op ponent? 5. A garrulous person is one who does what? 6. What does the infantryman’s full personal equipment weigh? 7. What did the North American Indians mean by the word “pem mican”? 8. When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1068, he and his troops were known as what? 9. What is the minimum age for representatives in congress? The Answers X. The War of 1812. 2. Mathematics. 3. No, they pass along the out side of a wire. 4. Gen. George B. McClellan. 5. Talks much. 8. Sixty - three pounds, eight ounces. 7. Dried meat. 8. Normans (from Normandy). 9. Twenty-five. No Proof “Daddy,” said the talkative sia* year-old son to his tong-suffering father, “am I made of dust?” “I’m afraid not. If you wera^ you’d dry up now and then.” A jingo is one who shoots off his mouth, but never learns how Is fire a gun. Exaggeration “See here, what do yon meal going around telling people I’m a first-class idiot?” “It’s a lie. I never said firsh class.” i. Soon Found Out She—Vow deceived me before me were married. You told me you were well of. He—l was, but l didn't know k. Congenial Husband—Now, let’s think. Wife—No, let’s do something you can do, too. HELP PREVENT MANY t COLDS from developing Put a few drops of Va-tro-nol up each nostril at the very first sniffle or sneeze. Its quick action aids Nature’s defenses --- against colds. Follow WflU VA-TAOMOt I Means of Teaching The disasters of the unfortunate should prove the effectual means of teaching the lesson of caution to the fortunate.—E. Davies. END CONSTIPATION THIS NATURAL WAY! Millions now take Simple Fresh Fruit Drink instead of Harsh Laxatives 1 It’s lemon and water. Yea!—just the juice of 1 Sunkist Lemon in • glass of water—first thing on arising. Taken first thing in the morning, this wholesome drink stimulates bowel action in a natural way— assures most people of prompt, normal elimination. Why not change to this healthful habit? Lemon and water is good for you. Lemons are among the richest sources of Titamin C, which combats fatigue, helps yon resist colds and infections. They also supply Bi and P. They alkalinise, aid appetite and digestion. Lemon and water has a fresh tang, too— clears the mouth, wakes you npl Try this grand wake-up drink 10 mornings. See if it doesn’t help Iou! Use California Sunkist emons. ^ «v I r ?$£*** -00** & IN THE NAVY £ they say: "SACK" fe, w "BOOT CAMP'fer Mining station >"SOOIEE" for water mixed with soap powder "CAMEL*1 for the favorite cigarette with men in the Navy F/RSF /H THE SERV/CE The favorite cigarette with men in the Navy, the Army, the Marines, and the Coast Guard is CameL (Based on actual sales records.)