Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-04
Proposed Reorganization Of
the Red Cross.
TO TAKE NEW CHARTER
OF THE GOVERN
MENT CONTEMPLATED.
Testimony of John 81. Morlan Before
the Investigating Committee
Will Be Recalled.

Senator Proctor has submitted to the
| Red Cross representatives a plan for the
| general REORGANIZATION of that society.
| II that plan is accepted 1t Is believed IL
| will reconcile the differences that now exist
in the organization and will put 1t on a
| permanent basis of effectiveness. The plan
was drawn by ex-Secretary Foster at Sen
ator Proctor's request and contemplates
the cooperation of 1.-The national govern
ment In the work of the organization.
The presentation of the plan was made
at a private conference held In Senator
Proctor's committee room at the Capltoi'
attended by Senator Proctor and General
Ainsworth of the investigating committee,
and by Attorneys Hopkins and Stebbins,
representing Miss Barton and the Red
Cross organization, and by General Wilson
and Attorney Robinson, representing the
element known as the remonstrants, which
complains of the conduct of the affairs OF
the concern.
New Charter From Congress.
The plan contemplates the issuance of
new charter by Congress, which shall vest
the control of the affairs of the organiza-
ton in a central governing body of eigh-
teen persons. OF these eighteen six are to
be appointed by the President, who also
is to designate the presiding officer. For
the present the remaining twelve members
are to be chosen by the general association.
the understanding being that representa-
tives of both elements would be chosen.
but there is also provision for subsidiary
state organizations, which after they are
organized are to be allowed to name six
of the twelve members. There Is re-
quirement for an annual report to Congress
and also for yearly auditing OF accounts
by the Treasury Department The plan
generally speaking is along the lines fol-
lowed in some of the European countries.
After the conference Senator Proctor ex-
pressed the opinion that there was an ex-
cellent prospect for success: The gentle
men present Were not in position to bind
their respective clients, but they indicated
their satisfaction with the plan. and Mr..
Robinson took the document away with
him. promising to bring 1T to the atten-
ton of his principals and give their reply
at an early date.
1t is understood that Miss Barton has
been made familiar with the movement for
reconciliation, and confidence is expressed
that she would place no obstacle in the
way There has been a suggestion that
she should be made president of the pro-
posed new organization, but all agree that
necessarily would be a matter Of future
adjustment. The fact that Mr.. Foster the
author Of the prospective agreement Is
leader among the remOnstrants encourages
the opinion that 1t will meet the favor Of
that element
If the reorganization is effected 1t will
bring the pending investigation to close
and Senator Proctor announced to the COM
mittee that in any event the matter would
not be pursued further before next autumn.
Preceding the conference there was an
EFFORT to throw further light On the condi-
ton of affairs which has estranged the two
parties in the organization, but not much
was accomplished in that direction.
John n. Morlan's Testimony.
The meeting was called for the special
purpose of affording Miss Barton's friends
an opportunity to refute the testimony of
John H. Morlan, former agent of the Red
Cross, who 1t was brought out, had given
testimony at a former meeting tending to
show that about $4,000 of the funds Of the
society, intended to be used for Russian
famine sufferers and for the victims of the
Jamestown disaster, had been diverted to
other uses, but instead of taking that course
the meeting was devoted to a controversy
over the recall of Mr.. Morlan and no testi-
mony bearing on the merits of the case
was taken.
There was a sharp clash between counsel,
in which Mr.. Robinson, acting for the re-
monstrants, accused Mr.. Louis A. Stebbins
of Chicago, of counsel for the society," of
indefensble conduct in seeking an inter-
view with Mr.. Morlan after his former APP
pearance before the committee, with a view
to having him give additional testimony.
Mr.. Robinson said that such course as
tiAiS tOWdIu WiticsS UeIOTS the courts
would subject him to rebuke by the court.
Visit to Morlan.
Mr.. Stebbins said that he had found on
going to Miss Barton's house last Friday,
that Mr.. Morlan had been In written COM
munication with Miss Barton's private sec
rotary. Mrs. Mary A Hines, and had in
formed her in letter that he had not
given all the information In his possession.
This, he said, had convinced him that Nor
lans conduct was of a character that
should be exposed and Mrs. Hines had sent
for Morlan with the result that the two
men were brought together. They met at
Miss Bartons house at Glen Echo near this
city, but instead of agreeing to extend his
testimony, Mr.. Stebbins said that Morlan
had threatened to do him bodily injury
The committee decided that Morlan
should appear before them again.