The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-15
RED CROSS FUND
CAMPAIGN BEGINS
Two Million Endowment the
Object of Movement.
PRESIDENT INDORSES PLANS
Residents of Larger Cities VIII BE
Asked for 1O-cent Contributions in
an EndeavOr to Place American
Society ON Firm Financial Basis.
Press ia Lend Aid.

To-day inaugurates the National Red
Cross movement TO secure what has long
been needed, a permanent endowment
fund. Two million dollars is the
mark set. and this seems a modest de-
mand for so rich a country as the United
States, when il is seen that our Red
Cross work is far behind, so far as
financial support goes, that OF most
European countries.
1t is proposed TO raise the 100000
deemed necessary by contributors Of 10
cents head from the population of the
larger cities. OF course, a large number
OF people in the cities will be unable or
unwilling to contribute this sum, but each
person who contributes 81 is counted as
having paid for ten people in his city, and
so on. 1t is proposed, IN collecting this
endowment fund. TO ask the co-opera-
ton of the press of The United States,
and in most of the newspapers of the
country this morning the object and the
needs Of the Red Cross viii be set forth.
Taft IndOrSes Movement.
That the fa9vement has the hearty sup
port and Endorsement Of the adminlsra-
ton IS shown by the following letter
addressed 10 the national endowment
fund committee by President Taft:
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
Chairman, Hon. Franklin MacYeagh.
Vice chairman Hon. Charles D. Norton.
To the Members Of the Washington Endowment
Fund Committee:
Gentlemen: The time has come when the Amer-
can Red Cross should be placed on a permanent and
Efficient basis by eudoEFeut fund whose income
viii enable it 10 be PREPARED at all times 10 carry
ont the purposes FOR which it has been created Il
Is the authorized official organization Of he United
States for volunteer aid in time OF war or great
disaster.
The funds for relief work received by the American
Red Cross within the last five years amount TO over
S0O0000 and prove the confdence the public places
IN Tie society Public confidence is most important
bat It IS 0f equal Importance that the society should
he able 20 maintain an organization which is capable
q administering sIch large funds 10 the greatest
advantage TIE experience IA relief matters gained
By permanent organization insures a far ADLER aud
wiser expenditure q relief funds than can be Sc
cured by Temporary and suddenly created committees
The accounts Of the Red Cross are required by law
20 be audited by the War Department. The officers
of the society. with the exception Of the national
director and secretary, serve without compensation
se Of them devoting the greater part Of their time
10 lis WOTk. By its methods the cooperation Of
such organizations he utilized for active r.
lief w0rk is being secured. thus assuring trained
service without the necessity Of maintaining coTps
Of its own workers.
Experience has shown that IN cases Of great dis
asters such as occurred at san Francisco and an |
Italy, large contributions received by the Rcd
Gross. but IN the constantly recurring disasters /
where smaller communities are stricken and should
receive certain assistance. the contributions ara
Tar too small To meet the need. Moreover. in the
case Of great disasters, the Red Cross should have
such balance IN hand 81 10 enable il 10 take
immediate action without being forced 10 wait until
contributions are received. To pFovde this hrst 4
IrOmpt assistance az times Of disasters Of great 4
magnitude snd 10 render the Necessary aid in cases
u calamites TO smaller communities. without too 1
frequent public appeals the American Red Gross /
should be assured of an adequate income By en- |
sbing the society continue aud extend its system
q first aid instruction under The drsaid department
and lis courses In simple home nursing Of the sick
for women under its nursing department personnel /
valuable ia time 4 disaster viii not only be secured
but instruction of constant and continuing useful |
ness viii be provided.
Difficult to Collect Dues.
Though willing to contribute generously for relic,
after great disasters it is difcut to obtain in this
country large membership contributing small an
nual dues. The American Red Cross received In /
1910 from the 50 per cent q annual dues paid into
the national treasury less than 5000 The Jana
nese Red Cross in 1908 received from the animal
dues ot its l,iiOOo0 members over SL0Ooo00
The brief statement in regard 70 the endowment
fund Of the American Red Cross compared with
thoss Of the societies of several other nations shows
how far this country Is behind in this respect,
An endowment fund for the central Office Of the
Red Cross far from becoming a siagnatiug influence
as N cases where endOWmelis are for local tarross
viii provide the means of continued Stimulation 10
The state boards and chapters scattered over the
United States and is dependent possessions.
The standing 4 this remarkable orranizatio- |
throughout the world, its Importance 10 our own
,ountry. and its benehcent influence for peace and
suod will IN International relief work commend il 10
he pubic-spiFited men aud women Of the United |
States. believe gentlemen, you cannot appeal 10
hem in vain 10 aid in providing the American Red !
Gross with endowment fund Of 100000 less |
han the funds Of the societies n the other first
,owsrs that our national society may take its |
roper place in this great international institution.
Yours sincerely.