The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-10
REJONDER OF CLARA BARTON.
SIZE CAN'T RETIRE UNDER FIRE
AND AN IMPLIED THREAT.

Extension Of the Red Gross 70 Al the
States 10 Occupytng Hor-Miss Beard
man Said 70 Have "Edited" Her
Collection Of Letters Published.
Miss Cara Barton read yesterday the
correspondence about the Red Cross troubles
given out BY Miss Mabel Boardman OF
Washington, who was suspended from
membership on March IL, three weeks
before the executive committee ordered
the general suspension Of the twenty-five
members who addressed memorial to
Congress In January protesting against
the methods used to reorganize the Red
Cross.
A statement was given out at Miss Bar
toms home In East Fifty-eighth street last
night BY one Of the members OF the Red
Gross, with Miss Barton's sanction. Her
representative said:
The effect Of Miss Boardman's collection OF
letters as edited By her u TO impress on the
reader that Miss Boardman had no oppor-
tunity TO reply to the notice OF suspension.
A matter OF fact, from the time Miss Board
mi II was notified OF the action OF the executive
90 mittee In her individual case biased on
the letter to Mrs. John A. Logan until the
SUSPENSION Of the Washington members this
month. q period Of three weeks interviewed.
and nothing In the nature Of an inquiry or
Q reply came from Miss Bosrdman.
Miss Barton will be quite content 70 have
:hs II ss Rsser S
conceal. and a, dispined and dig passionate
, tSs uSited s States VII Be far better way
Of clearing the public mind than the bioksr.
inf o. as sten ~ II he Washington member.
has made It impossible for Miss Barton 70
retire honorabiy. at this time. She repeatedly
fSs Red cIcss x .Ss put one
else into the active presidency ana leave
her to pursue her IiIe worE aIons na ies
the Red Cross At the first meeting. in July
1900. after the adoption of the act Of Con
Miss 81. did 80 ssaa in sci and also
at the last annual meeting. In Warrington
Miss Boardmsn's letter was a threat. Per
haps II she had printed her letters In full the
situation might be clearer. Miss Bosrdman
e n x. s.1 thss
proposed and retire-which might be REGARDED
as 3 bFibe-then an Investigation might be
method going back 70 the johnstown dis
that = promise not e. in Hsrtn would be
Each year the Red Cross has appointed
an auditing committee, 70 pass on the &C
c co%s before S the annual meeting. Where they
may be criticised or inquired into. The
tnsinuations of the Washingto n members
have been general and not tangible. They
have been asked for specific charges and
they have not furnished them.
Nothing In this unfortunate situation has
hurt Miss Barton so much as President Roose-
velt's hssty decision resulting in his letter Of
In spite Of the disturbing nature Of recent
Developments. Miss Barton has been de-
voting her time to the plan abe has cher
shed for so many years: OF . eatsndins
representative from every State TO be ap-
pointed by the Governor OF the each state.
This constitutes a national advisory board
for the purpose Of broadening and national
izing the voice and interest Of the people
In the work of the Red Cross,
The perfecting OF this plan is provided Tor
IN the bylaws by a committee on extension:
The work OF the committee has been delayed
by the illness Of william T. Wardwell OF this
Miss Barton has given much time and
study to this plan. realizing the difficulties
In The way Of perfecting 1t because OF the
breadth Of the Red Cross aims. an work.
There Ia more or less sectional sentiment
among the people Of every state. To pre-
vent friction and at the came time raise their
loyal interest and national love above self
pride the metho DDS must be wise. firm, kind.
strong and generous. BY such methods. out
lined In Miss Barton's plan. the committee on
extern sion will be enabled to broaden the
purposes and extend Red Cross work throu gh-
out the States Of the Union.