New-York tribune., 1909-12-08
RED CROSS MEETS.
President Reelected - HOPES
for 50, 900 900 EndozcmeRt.

washington, Dec. President Taft was
reelected president OF the American Red
Cross late today and presided for q time
over the hftv annual meeting Of the as
sociation. held in the Memorial Han of the
daughters OF the American Revolution
The President made brief address. in
which he expressed the hope that some
one some day might present TO the Red
Cross an endowment fund OF 100000 10
place its benehcent work on A more per-
manent basis. Mr.. TAFT also presented I'm
person gold medal voted by the Red
Gross to Lloyd c. Griscom. former Am
bassador TO Italy. for work rendered BY
him I'm the recent earthquake in Southern
Italy. and silver medals 20 Miss katherine
B. Davis and Samuel l.. Parrish. who as
sisted in the Italian relief work
Among the ether officers reelected, in
addition to President Taft. were Robert
". de Forest, ce-president. Beekrnan
Winthrop. treasurer. and Henry NJ. Hoyt.
solicitor.
President Taft tonight attended the in
formal reception TO the delegates To the
annual meeting al the home Of Miss Mabel
Boardmsn.
In his address the President said
These meetings do not seem to grow n
numbers. and they do nov by any means
represent the growth and usefulness Of
tins organization and the demonstration
that II has made from time 10 time during
each year, or the neceSSity for its COM
tinued life and OF the need for q perma-
uent foundation that shall make il one Of
the American institutions.
During the last year the society has
shown what il could do III its assistance
70 Italy after the earthquake. 20 Eastern
Turkey after the massache and to Mex
leo after the floods. II seems TO he nee
essdry in some way OF other 10 MI the
American eye and 70 fill the American ear
before YOU can arouse them TO cOntribU-
tions and when you have a disaster such
as that In Italy, which appealed TO all. We
are most generous.
And so u Is with respect to the Christ
mas stamp. That seems 10 nil the eye Of
the public, and its connection with tubeT-
culosis carries a good revenue with it, But
When X comes 10 the contributions OF a
dollar year. when IL comes to the in
creased membership and when il comes 20
the establishment by these small cOntribu-
lions OF a large endowment fund the mat
ter moves slowly.
l am sure somebody is going 10 he born.
ana I hope he Is born already, who will
give US a large endowment. In our iTlaE-
inations We might as we'll make II ss large
as we need. J think We ousht to have an
been modest and have asked only for
S2.eoo 9oo. but IL any one has an extra
100000 he need not be restricted by the
limitation put in ana caused by our mod
esty.
1t gives me great pleasure 10 come here
and preside. | am M the presiding busi-
ness az present. and any variety from
the burdens Of particular presidency l
am only too willing TO accept. l am glad
10 be able 70 seize the position Of presi-
dent Of the Red Cross for d few moments
in oroer that 7 may he the organ Of the
society in delivering 10 Mr.. Griscom. re-
Gently tho Ambassador Of the United
States 20 Italy. gold medal. 70 evidence
20 him the appreciation Of the society. and
] know the snciety speaks for the people
Of the United States in the great work
which was done by him and by his RssO-
ciates for the poor people Of Italy who
were subjected To that stunning. that ter
rible disaster in the southern part Of Italy
and ia Sicily.
The President spoke in = similar vein in
presenting the silver medals 10 Miss Davis
and Mr. Parrish.