Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-06-30
RED CROSS WORK OUTLINED.
Proposed Endeavors in Connection with
Calling Of United States National
Guard to Colors.

chairman of the Vermont chapter of
the American Red Cross, has received
the following communication from ma
tional headquarters, Washington, re-
garding proposed relief work in connec-
ton with the calling of the National
Guard to the colors:
"The American Red Cross, Washing
ton, ID. c., June %, 1916:
| Gin consequence of the calling out
of the National Guard for the protec-
ton of our southwestern international
boundary, it becomes the duty of the
| American Red Cross to undertake two
important lines of service.
"First-The Red Cross will collect,
forward and distribute suitable articles
for the soldiers in the camps. Every
chapter of the Red Cross is expected
to make immediate arrangements to-
receive and forward supplies. Before
it becomes necessary to actually begin
shipments, full instructions will be sent
to every chapter 1t may be stated at
| this time that it is the intention of
the Red Cross to establish receiving
and distributing depots in San Antonio
and FL Paso. Competent persons will
be in charge of these depots, and sup.
plies sent them will be distrmuteed in
the camps in accord with such rules
and regulations as may be prescribed
| by the military authorities
cit is also probable that intcrmedi-
ate depots will be established in n
number of important centers, into
which supplies will be collected from
certain districts, to be assorted, class
flied, packed and sent forward. Def
mite announcements concerning these
depots will shortly follow.
| "In connection with this work it is
essential that chapters observe the fol
lowing:
"a-Supplies cannot be accepted
which are intended to be forwarded
separately to designated individuals.
Those who wish to send packages to
particular persons are to be advised to
employ the parcel post or express ser.
vice. Supplies intended for designated
companies or regiments may be accept
ed for forwarding by chapters, with
the understanding that if such delivery
is found to be imPracticable these sup
plies may be donated to other troops.
"b-Supplies accepted by chapters
for shipment should fall within the fol
lowing approved list: Reading matter,
games, comfort bags (sce A. r. c. 115),
pajamas, cotton socks (medium weight
large Sizes, towels, pipes and smoking
tobacco, cigarettes, electric fans Ito
HOSPITALITY, chewing gum, chocolate in
tin boxes, hard candies, George Wash
ington coffee, evaporated cream, and
canned fruits and other delicacies in
tins.
"Many articles will be offered for
forwarding which for sanitary and
other reasons cannot be accepted Per
ishable, heavy, or bulky articles and
articles of food and drink which are
harmful should not be accepted 1t is
necessary that the instructions of the
military authorities be observed in all
these matters, as they are responsible
for the health and welfare of the sol
diers in camp.
"Chapters are advised to secure
rooms in which to receive, assert, and
pack supplies. These doubtless may be
obtained free of charge from patriotic
owners of vacant buildings or store
rooms.
Second-The subject of the care
of destitute families Of soldiers is now
under consideration by the Red Cross
and an announcement of policies and
plans in that connection will be made
at an early date.
Every chapter which has not al
ready divided its work into two sec
tions, namely, section on military re-
lief and section on civilian relief,
should do so at once. Each section
should have at its head an active chair
man and a suitable committee, and
each section should appoint such spe-
cial committees as the work requires.
"The section on military relief
should have charge of the chapter work
of making, collecting and forwarding
supplies which are intended for the
use and comfort of the soldiers.
"The section on civilian relief should
, have charge of the work in behalf of
the families of soldiers if work of this
character is undertaken.
"The executive committee of the
chapter should continue in general con
troll of all the work of the chapter of
every kind, should settle all matters OF
policy, and should have the custody OF
all funds, paying them out for proper
purposes and under suitable rules ald
safeguards. New questions of policy
should be referred to the diractor-gen
eral of civilian relief at Washington.
"Chapters are urged to exercise q
Thoroughly cooperative and cordia
n spirit toward other organizations anC
s agencies which desire to participate ir
e this work. 1t ought to he possible fol-
the Red Cross, through its unusual ia
cilities and its relation to the govern
r ment to be of the greatest service tC
t all organized groups of citizens inter
= ested in this humane and patriotic
n duty. Invite all such organizations t.
o ioin hands with the Red Cross and by
n this means to give demonstration o.
united, harmonious. community effort.
G "ERNEST p. BICKNELL,
t "Director General of Civilian Relief
:, I"Approved
d "ARTHUR MURRAY,
d "Acting Chairman, Central Com
s mittee.'