New-York tribune., 1903-02-08
RED CROSS AFFAIRS.
Objections TO an irresponsible and
-4rbif-ary ErecufiUe Head.

In the accounts Of the difficulties within the
organization of the American National Red
Cross which have appeared in these columns
reference has been made TO q memorial to Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Congress setting forth the
objections Of the members of the executive COM
mittee and other members Of the Red Cross to
Miss Barton's methods These objections have
been mainly directed against the new bylaws
adopted at the annual meeting on December g.
1902. and the most significant have TO do with
Articles II ana III, which are here criticised, IN
the language Of the memorial as follows;
ARTICLE IL
Section L The president may be elected for
life"
There is no power vested in the organization
by which the president elected for life may for
any act or violation OF the rules be deposed,
save by the right granted the executive COM
mittee to suspend temporarily or permanently
an ofhcer-saId executive committee pelng ap-
pointed by the president
Sec .. The president may in case OF SICK
ness or absence appoint a president pro tenlpoIe
act with the full power Of the president DUR
ing the time named in said appointment
BY which provision an elected ofhcer, ana IN
tbs case the most important officer Of this or
ganzation. has the right TO delegate TO any lnol-
Nidual he or she may choose the almost absolute
power held under these bylaws by the president
CT this organization.
receipt for all moneys from whatever source
paid TO the corporation, except funds )r moneys
paid to officers Of the corporation il emergency
field work. recent Of which Snall De ac-
knowledged TO the donor and duly accounted for
10 the treasurer. togethe- witt the disourse-
menIs thereof"
AS the main purpose Ct this organization is
for relief work. viz, emergency or field work 1t
viii be seen by this provision that most OF the
funds contributed 10 the American National Red
Cross would ne-er pass through the hands or
The treasurer. and thera is no provision for the
auditing OF the accounts Of officers engaged IN
section ; also provides that the treasurer
shall pay out saiC moneys on the legitimate
accounts of the corpora ion. when approved ny
the president or executive committee
No other officer is required to countersisn the
presidents approval and in case OF a presideht
pro teTnpoTe appointed ny the actual PIesioent Pei
he or she by Article II, Section =, quoted above
would obtain the same power
ARTICLE Ill
Sec. / There shall be an executive commit
tee consisting OF five members-the president
president-Which committee shall have power 10
conduct the affairs Of the corporation during
the time intervening between the regular meet
ings. Three members shall constitute a
quorum
The president according TO the same article.
pyr,oir+s all other committees ard the executive
COMMITTEE appointed by the president lis en-
powered TO appoint a board Of trustees, consist
ing of eleven members, whose duty snail be 10
receive any endowment funds, property OF Il
vestrnents an administer the same with the
approval Of the executive committee.
Power is thus taken from the members OF tne
organization TO have q voice IN the selectlon OF
this important fiduciary board. or In any way 70
exercise control over the endowments or prop
critics Of the organization.
Nothing is more important for the success ana
efficiency Of q public institution which appeals
10 the people <Or support, especially one whose
o6iacts are syoVedlv Of a charitable and hu
name character. than 10 provide carefui nran-
rial system with strict sccounta billty ana rlsld
auditing Of counts. How imperfect are the
new bylaws in this respect may be judged from
the foregoing review Of them
The effect Of the bylaws so summary put
into operation has been to place the whole ad-
rninistration Ct the American Red cross IN the
hands OF one person. and 10 deprive the mem
hers Of the organization of any power to direct
or control its work These new regulations
virtually nullify the act Of Congress Whlcn
granted clarter to the cOrporators named
therein and their associates TO conduct the al
fairs of the corporation and accomplish the pur-
pose Of its organization. No releI can oe hStu
from This condition before the next annual meet
ing and not then unless the executive
ronarnittee shall determine that I is desirable 10
reconsider the bylaws, and two-thirds OF the
members voting including proxies, can be Sc
tured in favor of their repeal