The Washington times., 1903-03-21
An Agreement Reached BY
Clara Barton's Associates
That She Shall Be Super
seded.
To Be Honorary President
for Life This Course
Must Yet Be Approved By
Board Of Directors.

BY agreement among those most in
terested in the conduct Of the affairs OF
the American National Red Cross Socie-
~. Clara Barton is 10 be retired from
active control OF that organization.
This course is variously construed.
4; is cnarscto~ized by those who con-
seut 10 discuss the matter for publica-
tion AS a fnal step in establishing har-
nony. Several Q. those through whose
protest The president and the members
OF his Cabinet Were persuaded not TO
Contribute support TO certain proposed
changes in the Red Cross bylaws regarI !
il IS an unfortunate but necessary step
for the rc-tstablishment Of the Red
Cross in the rublic confidence. Finally.
il is represented that under the most
favorable auspices the continuation Of
Miss Barton's management of the Red
Cross could not produce so much good
rs the establismen. OF new, trained.
and energetic executive This new ex-
ecutive. according 20 the agreement
which row prevails. is TO be Rear Ad
miral William j.. Van Reypen. at pres
ent Surgeon General OF the Navy. Miss
ton OF honorary president for life.
Formal Approval Anticipated.
n is expected meeting OF the board
OF trustees will be held In Washing
ton before the end OF the current month
and that the arrangement here indicated
VIII then be formally approved.
Various statements OF dissatisfaction
with the Red Cross Society and suspicion
that its methods were not altogether ef-
fective have been heard from many
sources for several years. The posi-
tion OF the society, that II never So
licited funds. that II never offered its
services. and that Il never undertook the
dispensation OF aid unless especially in
vited to do SO by those who provided tbs
means. disarmed and quieted every such
statement. II was. indeed common
belief that this adverse criticism was
entirely without foundation.
In consequence. the publication last
month OF a memorial 80 the Speaker oi
the House from many persons OF infiu-
ence protesting against Miss Barton'i
control of the society and a simultaneous
statement that neither the Presiden
nor the members OF his Cabinet woul,
serve upon the board OF consultation
came as most pronounced surprise
Grounds for Opposition.
The memorial indicated. and the cor
respondence which passed between IN.
President and Miss Barton set forth. a
the ground for this opposition to her an,
her methods certain proposed amend
ments 10 the constitution and bylaws
The effect of these changes. il was said
would be 20 establish Miss Barton as ac
tive president of the American Nationa
Red Cross Society for life. and enabl,
her. IL she chose TO disburse all IN,
funds OF the society at VIII. Thes,
changes were. moreover. TO be enforce,
by an inner board Of control. which in
cluded only four or 1--WE persons beside
Miss Barton
Men Of such distinction as Brig Gen
John NJ. Wilson and John w Foster
formerly Secretary OF State united 4
protest against this action to he Presi
dent. and several members Of Congress
W. J. Flather. OF the Riggs Nationa
Bank. the treasurer of the society. re
signed and gave out as the reason for hi
course the press OF private business. sub
sequentIy explaining that his retiremen
was directly due TO these proposed alter
ations 20 the bylaws
The President and the Cabinet the
withdrew. the former asking Miss Bar
ton 70 publish his letter OF wi;hdrawa
in order that his position in the matte
might be clearly understood. To all thi
Miss Barton published a reply of ger
erous length. wherein the propose
amendments were copiousiy discusse,
Agreement Reached Yesterday.
An article in the constitution require
that the President and bis Cabinet serv
on the board OF consultation. The re
tirement OF those officials therefore pre-
sented a great dificulty. and local men
bers OF the society undertook TO al
range it's affairs in such a way that N
President might be persuaded again I
support it.