Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04
RED CROSS TROUBLES
Mrs. Logan Replies to Miss
Boardman's Letter.
MISS BARTON'S FRIEND
DID NOT REGARD CORRESPOND
ENCE AS CONFIDENTIAL.
Declares That She "Never Suggested
Miss Barton's Retire
ment."

MISS bOdIuL III tii<hl iSeeSib
reproduced the entire correspondence be-
tween herself and Mrs. Logan to show
that the proposition for Miss Bartons re-
tirement, to which objection was raised.
originated with Mrs. Logan. She declared
that the publication of the letter to Mrs
Logan dated July 20. in regard to this
matter of Miss Barton's retirement, which
founded the basis of her suspension by the
Red Cross executive committee was
breach of confidence.
Mrs Logan has written the following let
ter to The Star in reply to Miss Board
mans statements contained in her letter
to Mr.. Phillips, which was printed in part
last Saturday:
1T Is with much regret that L feel
obliged to occupy the attention of the pub
lie with anything touching the unfortunate
mbroglio going over the affairs of the
American National Red Cross; but. as Miss
Mabel Boardman has seen fit to attack me
through the press. feel that L must reply
to preserve my self-respect.
Joined Red Cross in 1901.
'In the first place. never had anything
whatever to do with Red Cross works or
with It's affairs. though 1 became one of its
incorporators at Miss Barton's request. UNI
til December, 1901, when. also at the re-
quest Of Miss Barton. 1 attended the annual
meeting and I regret to say. found most
unfortunate condition of things 1t seemed
to me that through personal jealousies and
misunderstanding Miss Barton was placed
in an embarrassing position after her long
and faithful devotion to the cause OF
humanity. Therefore, I avowed myself her
friend and did all that L could to aid her
in the maintenance Of her position as active
president of the Red Cross, believing as l
do that she Is more eminently qualified than
any other person in the society for the po-
sition A minority at that meeting desired
her retirement. but she was elected presi-
dent. The action of the majority was fol-
| lowed by the most bitter opposition to Miss
Barton's doing what she had always done;
that is. going at once to the field In the
event Of catastrophe. because the execu-
tive committee claimed the right to issue
orders to the president and to decide who
should be sent to the field, thereby neutral
izing Miss Barton's authority and power.
Miss Barton's Field Work.
"At Miss Barton's request resolution
was prepared and presented at meeting
of the executive committee giving Miss
Barton authority to go at any time that
any calamity should occur without having
to walt until the executive committee could
be called to issue an order. A majority
Of the committee held that they had the
power to send some one else If they chose
to do so. and the resolution was voted
down Immediately. This showed the ami
mus Of the opposition to Miss Barton.
During Miss Barton's absence in Russia
the Pelee disaster occurred, so that the
executive committee were unembarrassed
by Miss Bartons presence and were In alb
solute control of the American National
Red Cross. Nothing, however. was done
by them until the President and Congress
had done all that was necessary.
Miss Boardman's Activity.
"In the meantime Miss Boardman visited
New York, Boston and Connecticut, try
ing to induce Miss Bartons friends to pre-
vail upon Miss Barton to retire from the
active presidency Of the Red Cross So
ciety Oh account of her age. the irrespon-
sible persons who she charged Miss Bar
ton had about her and her inability to lon
ger conduct the Red Cross affairs to the
satisfaction of Miss Boardman and those
associated with her in their determine
ton to reorganize the society and place
Miss Barton on The retired list.
Miss Barton's friends were indignant at
the warfare made upon her, and therefore,
came to the annual meeting of December
8, 1902. determined to reinState Miss Bar
ton in supreme authority. and so change
the bylaws that she would not be subject
to the dictation Of an executive commit tee.
They succeeded. A majority Of them had
worked with Miss Barton for years and
knew of her ability. untlring energy and
answering integrity.
Charges OF irregularities"
miss Boardman forgets that she arose
Barton and charged that she was cogni-
zant Of the much discussed irregularities
Qf such there were. they were most unim-
portant and had been before the annual
meeting of 1901. before congressional
committee, where they had been disposed of
and were not any part Of the concern Of
the annual meeting Of 1902 Miss Board
man forgets, also. her threats on that &C.
casion to cause the withdrawal Of the Pres
ident and his cabinet from the advisory
beard Of the Red Cross Society. The by
laws adopted December 8. 1902 provided for
the reinstatement Of this board. which also
the original charter provided for
What followed Is well known. Miss Bar
ton has suffered as only such a sensitive
person as she is could suffer over the hui
initiation that has been heaped upon her.
Two Years Of Agitation.
From the annual meeting of 1901 to the
present time, Miss Boardman for some I'M
known reason has felt 1t incumbent upon
her to keep up constant discussion of
Red Cross affairs. In all of her efforts
to accomplish Miss Barton's retirement
she has never suggested any recognition Of
Miss Barton's Incompatible service during
war. pestilence famine and disaster.
When 1 was approached about this matter
l made an appeal for some kind of annuity
or tribute to Miss Barton that would be
available for her comofrt and proper sun
port for as long as she should live l an
pealed to every one In authority who
thought might take up the matter and
cause something to be done that would he
recognition of Miss Barton's self-sacri-
flee and prodigiOus work for the unfor-
tunate. l had strong hope Of ACCOMPLISH
Ing something that Miss Barton could be
induced to accept, having accepted honors
from European countries.
The Retirement Proposition.
"Mr. Foster agreed with me that some
thing should be done. and Miss Boardman
| knew that negotiations were going on for
this purpose, yet she sent me the letter
| of February 20. 1903. at this time, saying
| that a complete and rigid Investigation
was urged, beginning with the Johnstown
disaster, the Armenian atrocities Russian
| famine Sea Islands, ETC., but we do not
| want to have to do this and will not if
| Miss Barton in the true interest of the
Red Cross and In the true interest of her
| name and fame will consent to take the
| dignifed position of honorary president
CAS- Clara Barton's friend there was
/ nothing left for me to do but to send II
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