The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-05-12
RED CROSS BRANCH FORMED.
Chapter OF National Society Organ
lied at Enthusiastic Meeting.

! Chapter OF National Society organ
lied at Enthusiastic Meeting.
4 branch of the American Red
! Cross Society was formed at an en-
thusiastic and largely attended meet
| ing held Monday afternoon in the au-
ditorium of the Donaldsonville High
School. Mayor Walter Lemann call
ed the assemblage to order, and Rev.
r. H. Prosser, rector Of the Episcopal
church, delivered an eloquent and fer
vent invocation In keeping with the
patriotic spirit of the occasion all
present joined in singing America.
Mayor Lemann then introduced
Mrs. Simon Abraham, representing
the New Orleans headquarters of
the society, who explained the objects
and purposes of the Red Cross and
the details in connection with the or
ganization of a branch. Her eluclda-
ton Of the subject was clear and
concise, and contributed materially
to the degree of snoothness and sue
cess attending the formation of the
branch. The full text of Mrs. Abra-
hams excellent address appears else
where in today's Chief.
/ DIR. E. K Sims was next presented
and in brief talk told of the noble
work done by the Red Cross both in
time of peace and war. He declared
that few people realized the serious
ness of the present situation and the
imminence of actual hostilities, and
said it was the part of wisdom to be-
gin work now on relief measures and
thus be thoroughly prepared for any
eventuality.
t Supt. II. P. Broussard was called on
and told what the public schools are
doing in the way of increasing and
conserving the food supply. He
pledged the hearty cooperation of the
teaching corps and pupils in the
furtherance of the Red Cross aims,
and rendered the use of the local high
school as headquarters for the branch,
and of the domestic science room,
which is provided with sewing ma
chimes, ETC. The offer was gratefully
accepted.
4 Mayor Walter Lemann made a
/, short talk, explaining the foundation
and growth Of the Red Cross order,
and from whence the insignia was
derived.
| Permanent organization was then
effected by the unanimous election
of the following officers: Mrs. Emma
Pujos, chairman; Mrs w. P Miles, of
Burnside, vice chairman; Miss Inez
Greenwood, of Belle Alliance, secre-
tary; Mrs. James P. Armitage, treas
urer; Mrs. G. D. Bentley, chairman
of committee on suppllleS; Miss Rita
Comeaux, chairman oft--mmittee on
membership. The election of an ex-
ecutive committee, or board of di-
rectors, was deferred until future
meeting. At meeting of the branch
Thursday afternoon Miss Freda
Singer was elected press agent.
Something like eighty of the per-
sons present joined the branch on the
spot, and many of them purchased
the Red Cross buttons and pencils
which were on sale. Seldom has a
public movement of any nature been
launched here under more harmonious
or favorable auspices than character
lied the formation of the Red Cross
branch, and there is every indication
that the society will develop into one
of the community's leading and most
active organizations.
n Headquarters will be maintained
in the high school, and will BIO open
| every Monday and Thursday after
noon from to $50 o'clock.
A vigorous membership campaign
has already been inaugurated, and it
is confidently expected that several
hundred names will be added to the
roster of the organization within the
next few weeks. A partial canvass Of
Donaldsonville yesterday by commit
tees of ladies yielded splendid results,
more than fifty new members being
secured, with by far the majority of
!: residents of the community still to
be approached. A list of members
will be published in next weeks Chief.
, At it's meeting Tuesday the police
jury donated S25 to the branch, in re-
Spouse to petition from the chair
man, Mrs. Pujos. The city council
will also be asked for an appropria-
ton, and contributions fEaxn fraternal
orders or individuals wNSDmay desire
to help the good cause will be thank
fully received.
Every man, woman and child in
Donaldsonville and Ascension parish
who can possibly do so should join
the Red Cross. 1t is the greatest hu-
manitarian society in the world,
stopping neither at age, sex, race, re-
ligios or nationality in it's effort to
alleviate suffering and relieve dis
tress. The president of the United
States is at the head of the organiza-
ton. It's accounts are audited by the
treasurer of the United States and
are at all times open to public scru-
tiny. No field duty is required of the
members, comparatively few being
in position to render such service.
The main object of the local branches
is to foster Red Cross work of all
description, such as the sewing of
garments used in the base hospitals,
the raising of funds to defray neces-
sary expenses, and, in general, the
making of preparations to take care
| of sick and wounded soldiers and rem
der help wherever it may be needed
Beautiful Invitations Issued.