New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.


The communication addressed TO Miss Clara
Barton, president of the American National Red
Cross by more than score of men and women
who We're suspended from membership by her
cOntrivance. is deserving of wide attention.
Some Of the signers have gained distinction in
the public service; others are well known for
their earnest and judicious activity in good
works; all entirely responsible and highly
respected. Without caring to attach great i'm
portance to their suspension, they justly say
that the resembling of that despotic act is
tremely significant because. like the proposal
of new bylaws to correct numerous defects
which they have pointed out in the bylaws now
in force. it is part of a confession that the
present management of the Red Cross is intOl-
cradle
From arbitrary and reSentful suspension of
many valuable members, because they had
deemed it their duty to advise certain changes
in the methods of administration. to their rein
statement and the admission of faults hereto
fore contemptuously denied is a considerable
step, but it is by no means enough. The sys
TEN is fundamentally wrong The signers of
this communication include many charter mem
bers under the Act of Congress of 1900 some
members of the board of control in 1900 and
1901 and the entire executive committee of
1902. They are, therefore. as they quietly OBJ
serve, lin a position TO speak of affairs with
some assurance" They have so spoken al
ready, the country has largely accepted their
statement, and they deem it unnecessary at
this time to do more than alude to the indis-
putable fact that there is no proper auditing
of receipts and expenditures accountability
for funds. That such a loose sense of obli-
CATION and corresponding lack of business prin-
ciples should ever have been allowed to pre-
vail is astonishing. 1t is still more astonishing
that the first protest should not have been well
coined and a radical reform Immediately in
stituted.
The consequence of a continued failure to con-
form to the necessary methods employed by all
cOmpetenty managed organizations of similar
character has been lamentable and wellnigh
fatal How far the American Red Cross has
forfeited public confidence and fallen into dis
repute is shown by the striking contrast be-
tween its resources and those of the branches
of the international Red Cross in other lands
Its report to Congress last January showed
funds, $1,702; membership, 1913; no property
In France the society has funds s., 1863 OS4 ;
value of materials, SAL. $40; doctors and sur
geOns, SOC; railroad hospitals, 50; field hOspi-
tails, 20. In Germany. Austria, Italy and Japan
the material and personal conditions surpass
or at least compare creditably with those in
NIdACt. II IL lar " say ludI IulS country
ought to be at the head Of the list. The
number, prosperity and character of our peO-
pie are peculiarly favorable TO the liberal sup
port of Red Cross work. Nowhere else would
it appeal more successfully to the Judgment
and sympathy of the public if its management
possessed the public confidence
1t is n matter OF great Importance, involving
the credit as well as the interests of the Amer-
can people, that the confidence which has been
lost should be restored. But it never can be
restored until the society has regained the right
TO it, and that only come through a change
of methods. following an authoritative exposure
of the defects of the present organization In
of this address say, to challenge scrutiny of
the Red Cross and its management, they pro
pose that at its next annual meeting Congress
be asked to authorize a thorough investigation
Of its affairs That, in opinion, is judi
cious and timely suggestion. The society holds
its charter from Congress. which can therefore
appropriately inquire into its condition. There
is no reason to doubt that such an examination
would be impartial, that the findings would be
convincing and that the effect would be sau-
tary. We believe that renewal of public
trust in the Red Cross and it's advancement
TO such status it ought to occupy in the
affections of the generous American people can
be secured by that means Unless some such
step is taken we fear that it will cease to be
a factor in the noble work in which it ought
TO lead the world