The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-27
KANSAS COMMENT

THE RED CROSS ENDOWMENT.
One OF the best and wisest things
President Taft has done is the APP
pointment Of national committee to
take charge of the work of raising an
endowment fund for the American
permanent basis. He thinks 1t should
have an income which will enable it
to be prepared at all times to carry
out Its purposes. AS chairman and
Cross endowment fund committee,
Secretary of the Treasury MacVeagh
and Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury Charles D. Norton have been
named. Subcommittee will be ap-
pointed in various cities over the coun-
posed of men who will take an ac-
tive interest in the work.
The funds for the relief work re-
ceived by the American Red Cross
nearly 100000 and proves the con-
fidence the public has in the society.
In cases of great disaster, like the
Messina earthquake and the San
Francisco fire, large contributions
have been received both of money and
of supplies, but in the constantly re-
curing disasters where smaller COM
munities are stricken the contributions
are too small to meet the need. and
it is contended that to meet conditions
ment fund is needed.
The president also points out that
the Red Cross should have a balance
on hand SO that it can at once enter
into relief work in the cases OF disas-
ter without having a loss of valuable
time by waiting for contributions. 1t
is evident that in all cases of disaster
immediate aid is needed. A compar-
atively few thousand dollars which
can be used at once will be of far
greater benefit than millions which
come late.
1t has been found that in this coun-
try contributions come readily in cases
of great disaster when the appeals are
made for aid. but when it comes to
getting large membership contribut-
ing small yearly dues the matter be-
comes difficult. The result is that the
American Red Cross falls behind the
Red Cross of other countries in I'M
portant respects, and 1t is to put it on
the best possible working basis and
upon plane of efficiency as high as
the Red Cross of any other nation that
the appeal for the endowment fund is
made to the people of this country.
1t is certain that the public spirited
people will respond to the national
mmittee.-Wichita Eagle.
o
MORE HIGHER EDUCATION.
It has become necessary for the Des
Moines college, a Baptist Institution, to
take steps TO prevent the prOmlScuOuS
spooning common to the college crowd.
This they have done with a firm hand,
forbidding the association of male and
female students except with the per-
mission of the faculty. This suppress
sion Of the college spirit has been met
by bowls Of protest from the students,
many of whom threaten to leave the
school because Of the decision. Indeed,
some them did leave.
This Is another reminder that, as
smart as college men and we~nen are,
they frequently fail to realize when
they are well off, as was the case with
those California students who struck
for boozing privileges. These Des
Moines students have been helped but
refuse to believe 1t. Time is precious,
and tuition costs money. Students are
sent to college to learn. although some
of them fail to do so. No special train
ing is needed In the gentle art of
spooning. Indeed, 1t Is a pastime In
which there Is considerable danger of
entertaining. But the College Spirit
must be maintained at all hazards
Atchison Globe.