The sun., 1903-04-23
INVESTIGATION OPRED CROSS.
THE PRESIDENT PRACTICALLY
DECIDES TO DIRECT 1T.
In the FAN the Attention Of Congress May
he OmciaIiy Called 70 the Charges
Against the Society. With . View TO
Having Its cha rter Declared Void

IN the Fuu the Attention ot congress msy
he Onlcialiy Called 70 the Charges
Against the Society. with View 10
Having Its Charter Declared Void.
WASHINGTON, April "A Washington
member Of the American National Red
Cross said to-day that President Roosevelt
has practically decided to direct an investi-
CATION Of the society by the State Depart
ment as soon AZ the matter can be taken
up In a thorough manner. That such an
investigation Is In contemplation was con-
frmed by an officer Of the Government.
who also said that in his opinion the atten-
tion OF Congress will be officially called
to the charges against the society, with q
view TO having It's charter declared void.
Before President Roosevelt declined
to have his name connected with the organi-
zation he satisfied himself that there was
something wrong with the management
Of the Red Cross said the member to
The Sun reporter, 'and he went beyond
refusing to become q party to the societys
methods of doing business. The question
OF members OF his Cabinet letting the society
Use their names was discussed, and he dis
approved OF the idea 80 emphatically that
not member Of the Cabinet would permit
the Use OF his name. Secretary Shaw of
the Treasury Department, who was one
OF the incorporators and whose name ap-
pears on the charter, declined to have any
thing to do with the society and withdrew
his nane."
While the State Department has refused
20 far to have anything to do with tho con.
Roosevelt's intention TO have the charges
OF mismanagement inquired into. This
will he under the provisions Of the articles
OF incorporation authorized by Congress
and approved by President Mckinley
June o. 1900. Section says
That the said National American Red Cross
shall on the FIRST day OF January of each
year make and transmit to Congress full.
" q
its .proceedinas during the preceding year.
and shall also give such information concern:
State may from time to time require. and,
in respect to aIl business, and proceedings in
be Var and SaSy Of tho
ernment. shall make reports to the Secrte-
tary Of War and to the Secretary OF the Navy
The President was fully acquainted with
the facts connected with the Red Cross
management several months ago. but at
that time II was not considered advisable
TO begin an investigation. He is con-
ment % Ia. % suf,icient % authority i e to MAKE e an
investigation. and when he returns to
Washington he will probably take the matter
up with Secretary Hay.
A department officer said this afternoon
that the investigation had been delayed
merely out OF consideration for Miss Barton,
who is not believed to have profited in any
way by the methods OF the society, but who
keenly feels the charges that have been
made. The members who have been urg-
ing the adoption OF new business methods,
he explained. have not desired to reflect
upon Miss Barton, but they felt that owing
TO her advanced age she should retire upon
an annuity and permit the reorganization
OF the society on basis which would enable
ii TO do more good than II has in the past.
1T is entirely out Of consideration for
Miss Barton that the matter has not been
taken up by the President. but it now seems
impossible to prevent an inquiry" he con-
cluded.
The question OF the selection Of a dele
gate to the Geneva Congress to represent
the Red Cross Society has also been officially
and II is said TO be the Presi-
dents det ermination to make the selection
without reference to the Red Cross Society.
Three delegates are to he named by this
from the army, one from the
navy, and one TO represent the Red Cross.
Root has selected Judge Advocate |
General George B. Davis and Capt. A. T. |
Mahan was invited by the Secretary OF the
Navy to attend the conference but de-
clined. As the President has been asked
TO name the delegates the third member
will be his own selection. and Il is said that
the Red Cross Society will not he asked TO
designate any one.