The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-20
APPEALS IO
AMERICANS
Clara Barton Asks for Aid for
Red Cross
FIRST TIME IN HISTORY
Refers to Controversy Over
Herself
FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

New 1OTk, May lJ.--i4SS OAeA4S a 100
has issued the following appeal:
During the entire period of the pres
ent differences among sections OF the
members Of the American National Red
Cross. / have never once felt that II was
the desire Of the American people that
should personally enter within the circle
of disturbance. and I have consequently
remained a silent and sorrowful spectator
of controversy that appeared to me TO
be leading where no true, loyal friend OF
the Red Cross would care to follow.
Every effort have ever made on be-
half of the people Of the United states
during the long years Of my work mas
been me with friendly approval or
thoughtful response. These efforts have
been always made on behalf Of suffering
humanity. in times Of dire distress and
nerjl. and have administered with free
bur careful hand the beneficiaries OF
whatever nature have been intrusted to
me. and as freely l have given OF all
that I possessed of strength, health and
private means.
Never once have 1 made a suggestion
on behalf Of myself or my difticulteS'
and | have therefore had the confidence
TO feel that nothing was expected OF me
but straightforward advance along the
natural path of my life work So certain
have / been of this, and so confident in
the firm loyalty, safe counsel and moral
support Of the eminent help surrounding
me. that l have felt free to devote my
energies during the past months to per
fecting a plan for so broadening and
strengthening the organization of the Red
Cross, that l. may enter on a new field
of useful activity-On a work that VIII
appeal directly to the people everywhere,
and prepare them in these times of peace
ful well-beiug. TO meet intellgently and
successfully any emergency or disaster
that may occur, either nationally or in
dividuaily.
it is my desire that this new work shall
be the means of creating ample funds
20 meet any great national calamity,
, and that the Red Cross may hereafter
enter the field fully equipped at the in
giant the call may GA
In times past urgent calls have come
to us and precious time has been lost
through lack OF funds and suitable equip
ment. II is most desirable that this con-
dition should be remedied, and it is to
this end that I am making an appeal
to the American peopIe-not for their
money nor their substance, but that they
Cooperate with me earnestly in this new
work-this effort TO benefit themselves
that I am endeavoIing to inaugurate.
1t will be born in mind that in the
twenty years of its existence, the Ameri-
can National Red Cross has never ap-
pealed, never asked for nor sought the
control OF a dollar even for relief; but
has. as il seeks to do in this movement
lett the people free in the exercise ~
their own choice and intelligence The
only apparent Suspension of this method
took place during the active service Of the
Spanish American War, when the great
Committees. formed at the instance Of
President Mckinley. raised money for
relief in the name Of the Red Cross and
applied il: the society Itself holding its
normal position under the attorneyship
OF the noble Cuban Relief Committee,
which did honor to itself and the nation.
Can it be too much TO expect that this
ore appeal Will meet a ready response
at the hands of the people
We are actively organizing a new
branch IF the Red Cross. TO be known as
The First Aid Department Of the Ameri-
can National Red Cross which depart
mont viii be largely educational. and will
concern itself in instructing the people
everywhere throughout The United States
In the best modern methods of First Aid
Treatment. in an cases OF accident and
emergency.
There viii be two distinct branches
OF this WORK. For the first an Emer-
Rency Case similar to that in use in Eng
land. Germany and other Led Cross Urea
ty Nations This has been adapted TO
American needs and methods. under tho
erect supervision Of the Medical Board
Of the Red Cross Hospital, and contains
material and suSical dressings IF the best
c.ass known 10 ,aodcJn surgery. \ most
valuable part OF the permanent equip
ment of the Emergency case Is serio5
OF Emergency Charts. arranged for in
Simultaneous reference. giving simple.
brief instructions for dealing with every
conceivable case of accident. pending the
arrival Of the doctor. This Chart is the
combined work Of a committee Of emf
nenJ physicians and surgs ons. and apart
from the admirable manner Of its ar
rangeuent may ho regarded as the high
est standard of authority upon First Aid
methods of treatment known 10 the
world
The perfect arrangements have been
made for the manufacture Of these Emer-
Eency Cases. and an organization is Gre
ated 10 introduce them 10 railroad cor
porations. mills. factories. stores. schools.
private houses. etc. They VIII be sold at
a nominal price and whatever Of profit
Is realized viii 50 20 meet the needful
expenses OF the orGauizatiOn-for which
there has hitherto been only personal
provision-aud the creation ~ a fund for
meeting great national calamities
The other branch Of the department
VIII undertake the formation az First
Aid Emergency Glasses in every city in
the country. Ambulance CORPS VIII he
formed among the employees Of mills
and factories. Industrial corporations
railroad employees the police and en-
rloyees 81 public departments. These
employees wiz he drilled and instructed
in First AID Methods. and apart from the
value OF the knowledge they viii obtain
for local use and service. they viii form
sn efficient force 10 draw from. as helpers
IN great national cslarui;ies
These methods are IN no way expert
mental. u many European Countries. as
England. Germany. Russia and even Asi-
ATTIC Japan. they form one OF the strongest
features Ct the Red Cross They are also
in perfect accord with its first principles.
viz. The voluntary help Of the people
for the government, II in need. and -he
organized help of the people Tor each
other in misfortune
This practical work In the united hands