Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-28
Citizens Associations and
Other Civic Bodies Repre-
scented at Public Meeting.
MISS MABEL B0ARDMAM
EXPLAINS THE PURPOSE
Movement Throughout Country to
Increase Membership of 0rganiza-
ton Formed for Relief Work.

A ma jority of the citizens associa-
lions of the District We're represented
At the meeting called by Admiral \. r.
Mason at the rooms of the Chamber of
Commerce, 1902 F. street. yesterday
afternoon, for the organization of the
Red Cross membership campaign here
Simultaneous campaigns for the same
purpose are to be held all over the
country next week. other civic bodies
and institutions which sent delegates
included the Chamber of Commerce,
Retail Merchants Association. Board of
Trade, Federation of Women's Clubs,
the Women's Pen and Pencil Club, the
Evermay Club of Georgetown. Nolun-
teer Life-savinG Association. Army
Medical School. Medical Society of the
District of Columbia, New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church, St Johns Epis-
copal Church. Epiphany Church and
st. Thomas Church.
Individual citizens Swelled the total
attendance.
Miss Mabel Boardman addressed the
gathering and Mrs. 7. \. Mclaughlin
served as secretary.
Application Blanks Distributed.
Applicants for membership will be
registered at the headquarters of the
exhibition arranged in connection with
the campaign, 18th and F streets, and
q great number OF application blanks
have been distributed by mail. Mem
bership includes a subscription to an
instructive magazine telling of the
progress of Red Cross work all over
the world. A meeting of the execu-
tive committee has been called for Sat
urday in New York by former Presi-
dent Taft. at which plans will be dis
cussed for bringing both membership
ganization up to point comparable
with those of other nations Miss
Boardman will attend this gathering
and has much in the way of valuable
information to lmpart-
Japan. with population of forty
millions, the American Red Cross Off
Gals point out, has 100000 Red Cross
members; Germany. with sixty-seven
millions, 1000, 900 members, while the
United States. with population num-
bering 100,000,000. has but $1,000 en-
rolled members. Membership involves
no financial obligation other than the
payment of dues. All active service is
performed by it's directors. surgeons.
nurses and other trained agents. An
sustaining membership costs $40; life
membership. s25. and patron mem
bership. 500 in one payment
appear loT support.
The work of the Red Cross should,
ii is asserted by the association Of
hcials, command the interest and sup
port of every citizen. 1t is not a pri-
waite association nor a limited corpo-
ration, but an organization "of the
people, by the people and for the peo-
pie" Any citizen or resident of the
United States of its dependencies
is eligible to membership.
The American National Red Cross in
its present form of organization was
chartered by Congress in 1905. The
President of the United states is it's
president. 1t has expended in the last
decade for the people of this country
alone more than $l3,000.000 in humani-
tartan work, and is non-sectarian and
on-political. 1t is organized not only
to furnish aid to the sick and wounded
in war. but also to devise and carry
on measures of relief for those suffer
ing from famine. pestilence, fire, floods
and other great calamities.
1t expends it's relief funds in
cordance with the designation of the
donors, and its accounts are audited
by officials of the War Department of
the United States.
Status Not Generally Understood.
That an ignorance of the status of
the Red Cross in this country exists
in some cases to a surprising degree
Is evidenced by a suggestion offered
by one of the speakers at the recent
congress of the National Security
League. in this city. He advised pub
licly that the Red Cross be put under
federal authority, with the surgeon
general of the army at its head
This is plain case of misunder-
standing. according to Miss Boardman.
The speaker unquestionably was not
familiar with the status of our organi-
zation, and particularly with the fact
that the surgeon general of the army
as well practically every high Of
hcial of the Medical Corps, is directly
Interested in the work" said Miss
Boardman.