Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-09
RED CROSS TROUBLES
MEETING OF SUSPENDED MEM
BERS NEXT WEEK.
Then It Will Be Determined What
Course to Pursue-Miss Barton's
Side of the Controversy.

Side of the Controversy.
Mr. Simon Wolf one of the twenty-five
members of the American National Red
Cross suspended by the action of the execu-
tive committee in New York Monday, tele-
graphed today from Atlanta, Ga, where
he has been for nearly a week. that he
would not return to Washington until Wed
nesday. Because of this it is likely that
the meeting of the suspended members will
not be held until his return
Miss Mabel Boardman, who suspend
ed before the twenty-five other colleagues
who are urging reorganization, said today
that there might be a meeting earlier than
the return of Mr.. Wolf although it was
DESTROYS to wait for his return, because of
his thorough knowledge of the points in
volved in the position taken by those seek
ing reorganization.
According to statements made today by
members of the Red Cross in Washington
it would seem that they propose to fight.
"Wil you resort to the courts for REIN
statement in the Red Crosse was asked
OF one of the "recalcitrants."
That is question that must be deter
mined by the suspended members at the
meeting was the reply.
But you are quoted saying that you
do not recognize the authority of the execu-
tive committee to suspend you and your
colleagues.
That is true, but we cannot say what
is to be done until the meeting decides. 1t
is something that will be determined
after careful consideration of all the issues
involved"
One Plan of Reorganization.
There is merry fight on and to which
faction will succeed is question of more
}hay
was resident of Washington for years
until recently. Her home was at Glen
Echo. For nearly a year she has made
New York her home.
In New York are the headquarters of the
Red Cross and the members OF 1.-The rem
nant of the society, as one of the sus-
pended members referred to the organiza-
ton today. A number of them have their
homes there. anyway.
According to one of the members who
talked today, the opposition to Miss Barton
has formulated plan of reoryaniZation
whereby it is designed to substitute a rep
resentative system for autocratic methods.
Their idea is to have an executive commit
tee consisting of one member from each
state, to be appointed by the governor
thereof.
This committee is intended to elect its
own officers, including an active president
there being provision that the President
of the United States and Miss Barton be
nearly in accord. they say, with the consti-
tuition of the Red Cross organization in
other countries.
A proposition drafted on these lines has
been submitted to the central body of the
Red Cross at Geneva, and this is the basis
OF the newspaper reports that the portion
of the American Red Cross which is dis
satisfied with present conditions will send
representatives to Geneva at the next con-
gress of the Red Cross
The name of Rear Admiral Van Reypen,
init n6 tot
persons suspended by the action of Miss
Bartons executive committee on April G.
has been most prominently suggested as
active president.
Miss Barton's Side.
According to the New York Times to-
day Miss Barton declined to be seen per-
sonally yesterday in regard to the action
OF her executive committee of the Ameri-
can National Red Cross on April in sus-
pending twenty-five members of the soci-
ETY. who were signers of the memorial to
Congress which resulted in President
Roosevelts action of withdrawing his
cOuntenance from the Red Cross Mrs
cartons representatives yesterday called
the suspended persons the "Washington
members, and added that none of them
mad contributed to the society anything
beyond their stated dues and that the mi
nority, to which they belong had brought
charges of irregularities against Miss Bar
s1ble for her to retire from the leadership
OF the society under the present conditions
She declared that when there was propo-
sition to retire Miss Barton with the rank
of honorary president and an income of
1880 that income was guaranteed by sew
efal persons for one year only, and while
Ihe proposition was pending Miss Mabel T.
Boardman, whose father was one of the
guarantors, had written letter which
could only be described as threateninp-tbo
threat being that in case of failure to ac-
made OF the manner in which the finances
of the Red Cross had been managed for
many years back
Miss Barton's representative added that
the Red Cross was not afraid of inyestiga-
ton. She did not claim that the bookkeep-
Ing methods of the Red Cross were either
modern or complete Up to 1900, she said,
the workers had expenses paid, but no
salaries The bylaws required contribu-
lions 10 pass through the treasurer's hands
except in emergencies"
suspension fastened.
appearances are that the suspension of
washington members was FASTENED in
some measure by memorial sent to ex-
Secretary of State Foster on March 81 by
number OF New Workers, which declared
that the signers desired to state that, in
their Judgment. the finances of the Ameri-
can National Red Cross need reorganization
In order to meet the confidence of the Ameri-
can public, and went on to say that thew
heartily indorse the efforts now being
made by some of the prominent members
of the Red Cross In Washington to thor
ouehiy ,reorganize that association. and
provide for careful and businesslike ad-
ministraton of its finances"
This memorial was signed by Bishop
Potter Robert c. Ogden, Spencer Trask, F.
augustus Schermerhorn, Gustav H. Schwab.
Cleveland II. Dodge and Howard Town
send. most of them members of the New
York National Red Cross relief committee
during the Spanish-American war-an or
sanizat1on which was quite independent Of
Mlss Barton's organization and which COL
iecsed 100000 and expended that amount
in relief work under the direction Of its
own onicers. None of the gentlemen named
are members Of the American National Red
Cross Other signers Of this memorial were
Mrs Whtelaw Reid Mrs William K.
Draper and Mrs William Bayard Cutting
Cleveland II. Dodge said yesterday that
ne had signed the memorial before going
west, and his idea that Miss Barton
was too old woman for her task and that
she was in the hands of advisers not too
wise He said that Howard Townsend had
been in charge of the memorial sent 70 ax