Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-10
MAINE RED CROSS.
Maine Branch Has sos Members-Re-
ports of Officials.

AT a recent meeting Of the executive
committee Of the State of Maine
branch, American National Red Cross,
reports from different officials were
rendered from which the following de-
tails are obtained:
Present membership SOC. divided in
% counties as follows: Androscoggin,
y; Aroostook. Il; Cumberland. g.;
Franklin. 1; Hancock. 50; Kenncbec, 81;
Knox, g.: Lincoln. 0; oxford, /; Penob-
SCOT los; Piscataquis, 0; Sagadahoc, "a;
somerset, u; Waldo, 0; Washington, s.;
York. A.
With reference to the good which has
been accomplished il is noted that there
mas been received and disbursed
through proper channels. $174.50 on ac-
count of the japanese Famine fund:
}593S94 in aid Of the san Francisco suf-
ccrers; $22975 on account Of the Chi
lee" Famine fund and $15@ on account
If the Russian Famine fund, beside
large quantities Of clothing and food
for San Francisco.
The American National Red Cross IS
the volunteer reserve emergency or
ganizatiU Of the American people to
relic We distress IL time either Of war
)r calamity. II bears the same relation
% tho usual regular agcncies-bOth ma
tiOnal and local, such as military or
naval medical and hospital services,
ana local organizations Of similar
character-that the volunteer militia
bears to the regular army.
The act Of Congress which incorpora-
ed the Red Cross and which issued its
charter, defines its purposes IS follows:
'"To furnish voluntary aid to the sick
and wounded of armies in time of war"
and, "to carry on a system of national
ana international relief in time of
peace and apply the same in mitigating
the suffering caused by pestil"nCe. fam
inc fire. floods and other great nation
4! calamtieS and to devise and carry
IN measures for preventing the same"
There was Il Red Cross organization
in the United States as far back as
500: it was incorporated in 1881, and
again in 1893 and 1900. 1t was. however,
Practically a small private sncicty with
Miss Clara Barton at the head Of it,,
having a membership in the entire
-Ountry of but about 300. II was not TO
BE- mentioned in the same brcath--sO
rar as numbers efficiency and organ
Zation Wcnt-Uith the Red Cross or
carnations in other countries. and ac-
,ordincly. i'll the year 1901 our Amer
lean Rcd Cross was entirely reOrgan-
zcd and Jan. .. 1905. Congress passed
IN act incorporating the present Amer
tcan National Eod Cross. and establish
ing the conditions which should shape
its career
The present officers of the State Of
Maine Bra@ch are: Gen. Jcshut l..
Chamberlain, Brunswick. president;
Mrs. Frederick T.. Boothbv. first vice
resident; Mrs. Frank HincIlley. Bln-
:or. second vice president.
Executive committee: Gen. Henry G.
Merriam. chairman; Gen. Seldcn Con-
lor, DR.. Daniel 4. Robinson. Judge
Clarence Hale. Mrs Frank II. Briggs,
Mrs. Augustus +. Wright, Atwood
SpaulGing. Mrs. George $. Hunt. Mrs.
Chauncy II. Burr, Herbert J. Brown,
Mrs. John L. Thompson.
Frederick f. Boothby, 23S st. John
street Portland, treasurer. Mrs. John
Howard Hill, Portland. secretary.
County organizations exist in nearly
very county OF the State, the officers Of
which are undoubtedly Well known, to
whom, as well as to state officers, APP
uIicat.onS Tor membership may be