New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-03
RED CROSS APPEALS
PRESIDENT GIYES 4ID
Increment To PrOJide Suitable
american Endorsement.

The American Red Cross has begun q
movement for the collection OF an sndow-
ment fund. the incbme OF which VIII be
available IN case OF great disaster until
subscriptions come in. and in other cases
where the prompt use OF small amounts Is
required.
Secretary MacNeash and Charles d
Norton have accepted appointments as
chairman and vice-chairman OF the endow-
ment fund committee. and a New York
suo-committer has been appointed. COM
posed OF Robert Bacon. Charles FIallam
Keep. Lloyd c. Griscom. H b. DAWSON
and Felix Warburg. Mr.. Dawson being the
chairman Of this subcommittee The ap-
pointment Of subcommittee il other
states Will soon be announced.
In the promotion Of this movement Presi-
dent Tart as president 20 the American
Red Cross. has sent The following letter 20
the New York endowment fund committee:
Gentlemen: The time has come when the
American Red cross should De placed
a permanent and efficient basis by an en-
dONnent rund whose income will enable IL
10 be prepared al all times 10 carry cut
the purposes for which il has been ere
atVd- II * the authorized official organZa-
ton OF the United States for volunteer ala
IN tlme OF war or great disaster
me FUNDS for relief work received BY the
-A4ilr4l'hu rNtu tfoSS MllQln the last I'VE
years amount To nearly five million dOliars'
and prove the confidence the public places
IN the society. Public confidence is most
important but II Is OF equal Importance
that the society should be able TO main
tam an organization which ~ capable Of
administering such large funds 10 the
greatest advantage. The experience in re-
i-ei matters gained by a permanent organ
I4dton IS beyond question and inSuTes a
Tar ADLER and wiser expenditure of relief
luiids than can be secured by temporary
and suddenly created committees
TIE accounts Of the Red Cross are re-
CURED by law 10 be audited by the War
department The officers of the society.
with the exception of the national director
AND secretary. serve wiu.u conlpeust-
ton some OF them devOting the greater
part OF their time To it, work By its
methods, the cooperation Of such Organi-
cations as can be utilized for active relief
NoIh II being secured. thus assuring
trained service without the necessity of
maintaining corps OF its own workers.
Experience has shown that in cases Of
francisco and in italy. large contributions
are received by the Red Cross. but in the
smaller communities are stricken AMI
should receive q certain assistance. the
contributions are far TOO small 20 meet
JIe Need Moreover. in the case OF great
disasters. the Red cross should have such
q balance in hand as To enable IL 10 take
immediate action without being forced To
wait until contributions are received
To provide this first prompt assistance
az times OF disasters of great magnitude
OF calamlties ID smaller communities, with
out too frequent public appeals, the Amer
lean Red Cross should be- assured Of an
adequate income. BY enabling the society
10 continue and extend its system of nr.iL
AID instruction under the first aid depart
ment and It's courses in simple home nurS-
ing OF the sick for women under its nurS-
ing department, personnel valuable IN
time of disaster will not only be secured,
but instruction of constant and continuing
usefulness Will be provided
Though willing 20 contribute generously
Tor relief after great disasters, II Is DIM
cult TO obtain in this country a large
dues. The American Red Cross received
last year from the 80 per cent of annual
than SGO The japanese Red Cross IN
1903 received from the annual dues of its
j. 40000 members over million dollars
The brief statement in regard 10 the
endowment fund of the American Red
Cross. compared with those Of the societies
OF several other NATIONS, shows how tar
this country Is behind in this respect.
An endowment fund fer the central office
OF the Red Cross, far from becoming a
stagnating influence as in cases where en-
dowments are fOr local purposes. viii pro
vide the means of continued stimulation
10 the state boards and chapters scattered
over the United States and its dependent
possessions.
The standing Of this remarkable organi-
cation throughout the world, It's lmpOr-
tauce TO our own country. and It's bener-
cent influence for peace and good VIII IN
interna tiOnal relief work commend II 10
the public spirited men anu Nouicu ol Nitt
United States. I believe. gentlemen, you
cannot appeal TO them in vain 10 AID in
providing the American Red Cross with an
endowment fund OF two millions dollars,
less than the funds OF the societies OF the
other first powers 50 that our national So
cierv NAV take its proper place IN TINS
great international institution
Yours sincerely,
WILLIAM II. TAFT,
President American Red Cross
Washington. Nov .. lFs
The permanent funds cf the Red cross
organizations are as follows: