Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-15
FUND FOR RED CROSS
Campaign in Washington for
Share of Endowment.
VIEWS OF PRESIDENT TAFT
Declares Organization Should Be on
Permanent Basis.
MONEY NEEDED IN EMERGENCY
Secretary MacVeagh of Treasury De-
partment Comedies, and Makes
Appeal for Contributions.
MONEY NEEDED IN EMERGENCY

partment Comedies, and Makes
Appeal for Contributions.
The local committee of the American
Red Cross is about to institute cam
paign to obtain contributions for its
share of the endowment fund Of the or
ganization. Washington's share of the
$2.OOO.OOO endowment fund which the
American Red Cross proposes to raise, is
$SS,1 100, according to appointments
based on the last census returns for. this
city, The apportionment is figured up
at the rate Of 10 cents per capita of
population.
The members Of the Washington COM
mittee appointed by President Taft to
raise the local apportionment are: Larz
Anderson. Scott c. Bone, Admiral Will
lard II. Brownson, Gibson Fahnstock
John Hays Hammond, Hennen Jennings.
Gen. Maxwell V. z. Woodruff, H. B. +.
mcfarland, Thomas Nelson Page, Ed
ward Stellwagen, Henry X. Willard. Fred.
erick A. Keep. Milton E. Allies. Edison
Bradley, Admiral Robley D. Evans,
Henry HI. Father. Christian Heurich.
Sigmund kann. John r. Mclean. Dun
Gardner F. Williams. Charles J. Bell.
John Joy Edison. Gen. John NJ. Wilson,
Charles c. Glover, Michael !. Weller, s.
w Woodward. William d. Hoover, A.
Lisner, Gen. John A. Johnston, Clarence
Norment, Gen. j. z. Sanger.
President Taft's Letter.
Armed with letters from President Taft
and Secretary MacVeagh, the committee
fn "a xx-id
the campaign and raise the required
apportionment before the season is over.
President Taft, in a letter to the men,
bers Of the Washington endowment fund
committee, said:
me time has come when the Ameri-
can Red Cross should be placed on a
permanent and efficient basis by an en-
uoWment fund, whose income will enable
II TO be prepared at all times to carry
out the purposes for which It has been
created 1t is the authorized Official or
ganization of the United States for vol
unteer aid In time Of war or great dis
aster.
The funds for relief work received by
the American Red Cross within the last
nve years amount to over 5000 600 and
prove the confidence the public places in
the society. Public confidence is most
important. but it is of equal Importance
that the society should be able to main
tain an organization which Is capable Of
administering such large funds to the
greatest advantage.
1nsures Wise Expenditure.
THE experience in relief matters gain
cd by permanent organization insures
far ADLER and wiser expenditure Of re-
lief funds than can be secured by temno-
rary and suddenly created committees.
The accounts of the Red Cross are re-
CURED by law to be audited by the War
department The officers OF the society
with the exception of the national direc-
r ror ana secretary, serve without COM
pensation, some Of them devoting the
greater part Of their time to its work
by It's methods. the cooperation of silch
organizations as can be utilized for ac-
e i've Ienet work Is being secured. thus
necessity OF maintaining a corps of ito
own workers.
Experience has shown that in cases of
great disasters, such as occurred at San
Francisco and in Italy, large confrihu
tons are received by the Red Cross, h,It
IN the constantly recurring disasters
where smaller communities are stricken
and should receive certain assistance
the contributions are far too small to
meet the need Moreover, in the case of
great disasters the Red Cross should have
such balance in hand as to enable it
to take immediate action without being
forced to wait until contributions are re-
ceived.
Should Have Ample Fund.
ITO provide this first prompt assist
ance at times Of disasters OF great mag
nitude and to render the necessary aid
in cases of calamities to smaller commu-
mites, without too frequent public ap-
peals. the American Red Cross should
be assured of an adequate income. BY
enabling the society to continue and ex-
tend its system of first aid instruction
under the first aid department and its
courses In simple home nursing of the
sick for women under it's nursing de-
partment, a personnel valuable in time
Of disaster will not only be secured, but
instruction of constant and continuing
usefulness will be provided.
Though willing to contribute gener-
ously for relief after great disasters, 1t
is difficult to obtain in this country
large membership contributing small an
nual dues. The American Red Cross re-
ceived in 1910 from the 80 per cent OF
annual dues paid into the national treas
ury less than $1,000. The japanese Red
Cross in 1908 received from the annual
dues of it's 100000 members over a mil
lion dollars.
1.-THE brief statement in regard to the
endowment fund Of the American Red
Cross, compared with those OF the So
cieties of several other nations, shows
how far this country Is behind In this
respect.
Stimulates Boards and Chapters.
IAN endowment fund for the central
office of the Red Cross. far from becon-
ing a stagnating influence. as in cases
where endowments are for local pur-
poses, will provide the means OF con-
tinued stimulation to the state boards and
chapters scattered over the United States
ana it's dependent possessions.
"The standing of this remarkable Or
ganization throughout the world. its i'm
portance to our own country and its be-
neficent influence for peace and good
will in international relief work commend
it to the public-spirited men and women
Of. the United States. ! believe. gentle
men, you cannot appeal to them in vain
to aid in providing the American Red
Cross with an endowment fund Of two
million dollars. less than the funds of the
societies Of the other first powers. SO
that our national society may take. its
proper place in this great international
institution"
In an open letter Secretary Of the
Treasury MacVeagh wrote:
"A local Red Cross endowment fund
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