The evening times., 1899-08-08

The reorganization of the American Red
Cross Society, which has been under con-
sideration since last winter will in all prob
liability be consummated within the next
two or three weeks in this city. Miss Clara
Barton, the president of the American or
ganization is now in New York, attending
TO matters concerning the organization, and
she is expected to arrive in Washington
some time this week.
Upon her arrival here, arrangements will
be made 10 hold a joint meeting of the
executive committee of the national or
ganization, and the officers of the auxiliary
societies of New York and Philadelphia.
AT the meeting the constitution drawn UP
by a special committee representative OF the
executive committee of the national organi-
cation, draft of which was completed sew
eTal months ago, will come up for consid-
Grafton and adoption. According to the pro-
visions of the instrument, Miss Barton is
rendered the presidency Of the reorganiZed
body during the remainder OF her life.
Rumors have been recently current to the
effect that Miss Barton will retire from the
Red Cross. These reports, II is said, have
had no foundation. 1t seems 10 be the uni
yersal desire among those connected with
or interested in the work and welfare OF the
body that Miss Barton continue at the head
of the body which she has SO ably directed
thus far.
The reports of Miss Barton's ill-health
arising from the ardousness OF the work In
Cuba during the past few months are ap-
parently without foundation, as in her let
ters TO officers OF the society in this city she
has said nothing which would indicate tnat
she contemplates giving up Red Cross work
on that account.
The Red Cross work in Cuba, which Miss
Barton has directed in person during the
past three months, has been somewhat OF
a strain and that, together with the ener-
waiting effects of the climate, have no douDt
resulted in more or less physical debility. II
is said which will probably cause Miss Bar
ton TO seek brief respite from her laDors.
She however, does not entertain the idea OF
retiring permanently from the work.
The new constitution of the Red cross
Society, as drafted, provides for DIVISION
of the United States into districts, each OF
which includes several States and in which
the Red Cross work will be conducted by
local and city auxiliaries. all of which Will
come under the jurisdiction OF the ofllcers
of the district branch, which will in turn
be governed by the national body, the
headquarters of which will be located in
Washington. AS soon as the organization
is perfected. work will at once be under
taken TO establish local societies in all
parts of the country. the churches TO be
used principally as the entering wedge.
The work OF tht society in Cuba, that OF
establishing homes for the orphans OF those
killed during the Cuban revolution is prac-
tica!ly completed. and the orphanages are
now. for the most part, being maintained
by the municipalities CT people in which
they are located. There still remains much
fer the Red Cross to do in the Philippines
and. in caring for the victims OF floods and
other extensive disasters occurring in this
country, who are too numerous for the
local authorities to attend 10 unaided. The
organization is TO very large extent an
emergency body and the field for its work
/ in tie United States is practically unlim-
I tied.
The need for a more comprehensive or
| ganization has been felt by the leaders oi
the Red Cross for a number of years and
the recent war with Spain emphasized this
strongly. The work of the society during
the war was ali that could be desired in
point of efficiency and scope, but the Off
GERS plainly saw that the work could have
been carried on with greater ease with a
better organization. In all probability,
there will be but few changes in the con-
stitution which has been drawn up, as il
seems to meet with general approval.