The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-01
BRICKNE[L TALKS
OF RED CROSS WORK
Contributes $500 to Mulga Re-
lief Fund
r-
FORMING STATE BOARD
National Director of Red Cross Went
to the Mines Yesterday to Make
Personal InspectiOn-His-
tory of Red Cross

The American Red Cross society con-
tributed $500 to the Mulga relief fund yes
terday.
The check for this amount was delivered
to Chairman A. Ii. Ford of the Birming-
tional Director Ernest P. BricSnell yes
terday afternoon after Mr.. Bricknell had
made personal investigation of the con-
ditions at the scene of the recent mine
disaster.
Director Briclxnell arrived in Birming-
ham Friday night and spent all of yester-
day morning at Mulga.
The Birmingham chapter will turn the
money over to the relief committee for
distribution as they see fit. Mr.. Bricknell
expressed great confidence in the ability
and purpose of the committee that has the
work in charge.
He will return to his home in Washing
ton this morning where the national head
quarters OF the American Red Cross So
ciety are located. He came to Birming-
ham for the express purpose of investi-
eating the Mulga mine disaster and to
offer the assistance that appeared to be
necessary
Talk of Work
Director Bicknell talks Interestingly of
the development and the work of the Red
Cross society which is probably the great
est charitable organization in the world.
Its operation extends to every civilized
nation In the world, and has done great
good in relieving suffering in times of
war, famine and disaster. President Taft
is president of the American society.
He was elected president during his term
of office as Secretary of War, and was
reelected to the place after he was in
augurated President of the United States.
With this precedent 1t has been suggest
ed that the President of the United States
be made ex-officio president of the
American society. This custom will prob
ably be adopted as 1t seems to be a pop
ular idea
Director Bicknell said: THE purpose of
the Red Cross society is to do the semi
official charity and relief work of the
nation in which 1t operates. We have on
an average five or six big disasters in this
country every year, and distribute an av-
erage Of 81 100000 annually for the re-
lief of suffering.
Before 1905 the society was an indie
pendent organization but in that year it
was taken under the direct supervision
Of the government. and is now considered
as a semi-official institution. The Of
ficers of the society have to make official
reports of the work of the society to the
United States Congress. Every dollar re-
ceived and disbursed has to be fully ac-
counted Tor
THE purpose of the society was for
the relief of the wounded in times of war,
but the scope OF its usefulness has been
extended In the United States to disasters
of all kinds, and more recently the or
ganization has taken up preventive meas
ures. First aid work is one of the new
features that is engaging a large part
of the attention of the society.
Training Nurses
Men in the regular army are being
trained in the simple methods Of first aid
to the sick and wounded. Special nurses
are being trained to care for the wounded
and sick in times of war or on occasions
of disaster First aid corps are being
Va 6o'b1So anu lH5ti uClcu III IlLHiLS CdHipS
and large industrial centers. This work
will be extended to factories and shops
where there is probability of many acct
dents.
1.-THE society is now having a Pullman
hospital car built for first aid instruc-
ton. This will be manned by DIR. M
j. Shields, who is in charge OF the first
aid work in mining districts. DR.. Shields
has just completed some very effective
rnr1y to I, .swxtw Itr.A~
When this demonstration car Is CON-
pleted. which will be in the next few
weeks DR.. Shields will take 1t on his
trips to all sections of the country where
first aid instruction is deemed necessary
The car Is being equipped with all mod
ern appliances for first aid to the IN
jured In mines and factories. Men en-
gagged In mines or other dangerous work
will be instructed In those simple reme-
dies and operations that would often save
life where men on the spot are familiar
with the first aid work.
The American Red Cross society hopes
to accomplish a great work by this first
aid demonstration. The good results that
have already been accomplished are very
encouraging to the officers and men be-
hind the work.
First Organization
THE Red Cross society originated in
Switzerland at the suggestion of Henry
Dunant. writer of renown in his day
"Dunant witnessed a bloody battle be-
tween Austrian and italian forces He
was deeply touched by the neglect of
wounded soldiers on both sides. He saw
soldiers dying on the field two and three
days after the battle. This gross neglect
OF suffering humanity moved him to in
dfgration. and he wrote many articles
condemnine the cruelty and demanded
N n Ia lAx, l-,r ~.
lions or by individuals for the relief of
such conditions
He was persistent in his agitation and
the result was a call for convention of
the European nations at Geneva In 1859
Representatives of practically all the
countries of Europe attended The Red
Cross society was the result of this con-
vention. 1t was crude at first, but was
rapidly developed 1t has grown steadily
In power and influence ever since 1t has
not yet reached the maximum of its use.
fulneas TO the people in all nations of
the woroli.
1.-The origin of the Red Cross emblem
Is interesting. At the first Geneva con-
vention the organizers were puzzled No
select an appropriate emblem for the new
society.
Finally fife flag IF Switzerland with
the plan of coloring reversed was adopt
ed. The flag of Switzerland is white
cross on a red background. The Red
Cross society. az the name indicates, is a
red cross on a white background.
"The helping hand of the Red Cross So
ciety goes wherever there is human sur
ering. Its banner has been established In
every civilized country on the globe. In
times of international war the Red Cross
goes hand In hand under rules of inter-
national treaty to care for the wounded
and nurse the sick