The Washington times., 1903-04-20
Published Biographies Say
She IS 73-RecordS Of
Her Native Town Cred
tied Her With Nine
Years Additional.
No Intention on Part of
Minority to Make a Per-
sonal Attack-AbIIity to
Manage Affairs Involved
In Point.

Miss BaTJOn's age viii doubtless be
discussed in the statement which the
suspended members OF the Red Cross are
10 give TO the public
Who's Who in America" and other
reference books containing biographical
sketches of Miss Barton, state that she
was born at oxford. Mass, in 1880 The
Washington members of the Red Cross
have an affidavit from the town clerk
OF East Oxford, Mass, showing that Miss
Barton was born in 1921.
Irreconcilable Statements.
In reply to charges that Miss Barton
is too old 10 have charge of the affairs
Of such an important organization as
the American Red Cross. her defenders
have said that she is only seventy-three
years old If the records Of the veuer-
able Red Cross presidents rative town
may be believed. she is eighty-two years
old
Simon Wolf. Miss Boardman. Mrs.
Mussey, and other suspended members
Of the Red Cross have refrafned from
making any personal attack on Miss
Barton They feel. however. that the
public should have ali the facts. since
Miss Barton has refused to retire and
accept the life position Of honorary
president
Even The newspapers which have ap-
proved the movement for the reorgauiza-
tion of The Red Cross under other off,
GERS have stated that Miss Barton. at
the ripe age OF seveEty-three," is too
old to head the Red Cross. and should
make way fer younger president. If a
woman seventy three years old is CON
sidered too old for the presidency. the
suspended members feel that a woman
Of eighty-two is certainly too old TO +!
manage Red Cross affairs.
II Defense Of Position.
Few persons know that Miss Bartoa Is
nine years older than is popularity sup
posed. IN defense Of their position. tHe I
Washington members OF the society !
have decided to make this fact public.
i is not known where reference books +
secured the information which led 10
aH understatement OF Miss Barton's age /
The Washington members have not
made any investigation OF the error fGr- t
ther than TO consult the records Of Ea5s /
Oxford.
No charge Is made that the venerable /
leader OF the Rcd Cross has misisd the !
public for The purpose Of retaining her
important Office a simple statement Of /
The date Of her birth and the proof Of
the au5henticity Of the statement are
ali that viii be submitted 10 the public /
Criticise Financial Management.
The Washington members Of the Red
Cross critfcise the manner IN which It
handles its funds. and it's organization
and government" said Simon Wolf. who
mas been prominent in the investiga
o. the socjety's affairs. The movement !
is in no sense directed against Miss
Barton OF other officers Of the society !
and this fact is appreciated now by the /
public An attempt was made 10 show /
that the movement of the Washing /
tcnians was directed against Miss Bar /
ton personally. Blt s. failed
The statement which is 80 be made (
TO the public and the reply the sus-
pended members viii make 20 Walter +
Phillips and other members cG The Red /
Cross executive committee. were sent
Saturday TO HiIary a. Herbert who is I.
in Alabama. As soon as ne returns the +
documents the fventy-threa suspended /
members viii hold q meeting TO give /
further consider asion 10 these expires /
sfous OF opinions. This meeting viii /
probably be held late this week