The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-28
LEGAL EXISTENCE OF RED CROSS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DENIED

at least Of them who afterward voted
/ for these bylaws who desired more
[ light Not even typewriter copies we're
furnished. nor was there any suggestion
of willingness to have the proposed by
laws lie over till next day, or even for
an hour. that they might be examined.
/ No debate or the merits of the new by
laws was permitted, because only those
who had been taken into confidence IN
deTstood the scope anI extent of the
radical changes proposed.
New Names Kept Secret.
Even those Of US who attended the
meeting were left in the dark also as to
the names or number Of those elected
at the meeting. Neither the secretary
| of the society nor the stenographer could
afterward inform US Repeated applica-
lions were made to those claiming to
be in authority. but in vain. We never
obtained this knowledge until more than
four months after the meeting. when q
second letter from the Secretary of
State. who, by the charter. is entitled
to know, brought forth the names Of
old member 162. and new members 183
This list does not include those who
signed the memorial advising Congress
OF what was doue-i7 old members and
Is recently elected. nor f other names
of former members
Why. al this December meeting. when
practically all power was taken from the
membership and vested in the PRECEDENT
and an executive committee appointed
by her. there should be any reason for
increasing that membership from 123 10
312. it is not easy to see. especially as
all the members. new and old. added to-
gether, could not change one Of the by
laws, unless the executive committee
should have given notice in the call of
the annual meeting that changes were to
be allowed As, however. not more than
two OF three dozen usually attend in
person at annual meetings, the present
large membership furnishes a fine field
for exploiting proxies in the future.
Tried to Save Society.
The known misleading effect of Nv.
Atwater's letter on the minds of the
members who did not attend the meet
ing, but could and would have done so
If they had known the facts. the prob
able effect Of the Atwater letter in pro
curing proxies and the conduct OF the
friends of these bylaws at the meeting
when. it is claimed. they were passed,
are enough, We submit. when taken al
together, to invalidate them as body
We. therefore. insist that We were
acting not against, but for the best in
terests Of the Red Cross Society when
We stated to the body which gave US
our charter how that charter had been
used. Unless present methods are
abandoned the society cannot retain
public confidence, which is essential to
its success. Bylaws so extraordinary.
SO despottc. and so adopted in our opin-
ion. should not be submitted to without
protest, nor should they continue in
force without being brought to the
knowledge Of the great public for whom
this society exists and by whom it is
supported.
For making such a protest. and for
that alone, twenty three of US have
been suspended by committee Of which
three or. on occasion. two may consti-
tute quorum This is the consumma-
ton up to which these new bylaws
have led.
From the above plain statements of
facts the public viii judge for itself Of
the extent topwhich the purpose Of re
orting TO expulsion. for the prevention
Of debate as to stricter methods of ac-
counting. controlled in the preparation
of the new bylaws. and in the selection
of the methods by which these bylaws
were put through.