Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-23
Mabel Boardman win Not Dis
.cuss the Barton Stories.
CAUSES MENTAL DISTRESS
Former Red Gross Head Said 70 Have
Suffered From Inquiry.
REsENTs ALL THE ATTACKS
Rev. John Van schaick, Jr., Declares
It Was Only Bad Business
Methods. =.


It Was Only Bad Business
Methods. :.
Miss Mabel Boardman. head Of the
american Red Cross, at her offica In
the War Department today. declined To
discuss the statements given publicity
since the death Of Clara Barton tn The
effect that Miss Barton was virtually
driven from the organisation which sne
founded by allegations rejecting upon
ner' ana by prosecutions which caused
her intense mental suffering. Miss
Boardman said:
Death protects any one. cannot
since Miss Barton's death, 70 INN thoae
Old stories All care 20 say IN that
MISS Barton resigned during an inves-
tisation by the Senate COMMITTEES Of
which Senator Proctor was chairman
The investigation referred to WAS con-
quoted IN 1904. when Miss Barton was
Wen past her eight1eth year. Alterations
nad been made that Miss Barton was
NOT longer competent to direct the affairs
or the American Red Cross Society. and
tnat sne was not qualified to handle and
dlsDurse Its funds. The Senate comnnit-
, NE: AFTER full Investigation. during which
the organization'by resigning, exonerated
ner OF wrongdoing in connection With the
management OF the socety's funds.
Caused Her Much Distress.
Tho charges. however. were tho cause
Of extreme mental distress 10 Miss Bar
ton. who. 1t - said, felt to the time Of
ner death that her own country had been
ungrateful for her work and efforts, and
It has been said, since her death, that she
many times expressed the wish to leave
this country and take UP her residence in
some other land.
Prof. Charles Sumner Young Of Los
Angeles, who for quarter Of CEN
fury was Miss Barton's intimate friend,
has recently made public letters writ
ten to him by Miss Barton from her
home at Glen Echo, In which she ex-
pressed a wish to make Mexico her
hcme. DR.. Julian b. Hubbeu. her ply
stefan, states that he had full knowl-
edge Of this desire on the part Of Miss
Barton. and says that grief and bitter
humiliation which she felt because Of
the charges made against her shorten
ed her life. Other officials OF the Red
Cross Society In Washington today de-
clined to make any statements or to
add anything to the discussion.
Regrets Matter Is Reopened.
Rev. John Van schaick. IT.. pastor Of
the. Church Of Our Father, who was Miss
Barton's pastor and who officiated at her
funeral. speaking today Of the statements.
said he deeply regretted that Prot. Young
and DR.. Hubbeli have reopened tho mat
ter Of the reorganization Of the Ameri-
can Red Cross In 1904 DR. Van Schaick
said: = -
"The Interviews given out reflect on the
President Of the United Slater ana some
ana women OF this country.
am member Of the District Of
Columbia branch Of the Red Cross and
have twice been honored by election as
delegate to the national congress. am
also pastor Of the church with which
Clara Barton was more closely afiiliated
than any other. visited her frequently
at Glen Echo. With two other ministers
OF the Universalist Church. Chaplain Cou-
den and Dr.. Curry: I ofnciated at her
Il wish to say that I resent these at
tacks on Miss Mabel Boardman and
the Red Cross. The statement that a
woman Of her social position was actu-
ated by envy and desire for social
Tecosnition !: paipabiy absurd MISS
and other Red Cross workers have
labored with q devotion, unselhshness
and ability for suffering humanity
which has placed the American Red
Cross In q place. OF honor before all
Clara Barton who remember her serv-
ice for her country In the civil war and
after ought ito rejoice to sec this great
work carried on.
Her Integrity Unquestioned.
1.-THE charge Is that the reorganization
Of the Red Cross In 1904 broke Miss
Barton's heart and exhibited the insrat-
itude Of her country. In my mind there
has never been any question Of the In
tegrity Of Clara Barton. But her business
methods were unfortunate.
mo man or woman can be everything.
And the greatest mistakes Of the great
est men or women come from attempting
stress Of conflict with disaster, Clara
Barton kept one pocketbook, took in
money and paid 1t out. and made no
accounting to the public. That can't
trusted the public to trust her. But the
public recognizes the principle more
clearly than in former years that who
ever collects money from the public must
account to the public.
''One Of her best friends years ago.
Washington. resigned as treasurer Of the
Red Cross and said to her: Miss Bar
ton, by your business methods you are
endangering your good name and all the
glory of your past achievements
Seeing much Of her, talking often
with her. I have never been able to be-
lieve anything against her good name
or to feel other than deep gratitude for
her service OF her country.
but say with equal franlkness that
the reorganization Of the Red Cross was
inevitable. was inspired by the highest
motives, and has resulted In incalculable
blessing for humanity
Within the next thirty days the Balti-
moro and Ohio railroad viii begin work
on q new and modern freight station In
Cumberland. Ma, according 70 oficiar an
nouncement. -
q