The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-03
Whether Circulated Through lgnor-
anee or Malieiousness, Rumors Re-
garding the Work Are Creating
Disturbance in Several Towns,

Jacksonville are being reported to Of
fcers of the North Florida Chapter,
American Red Cross, and while many
of them are found to be absolutely
without foundation, others bear no
Resemblance to the true as referred
back to the officers here.
For instance, letter was received
from a town in the middle of the
state saying that the report was
heard that the North Florida chapter
had carloads of supplies stored in
Jacksonville, and the rats had de-
stroyed them all So The inference
seemed to be that as the supplies
were only stored, there was no use
in making any more. Officers of the
chapter here say this report is abso-
lutely without foundation, and
whether circulated through ignorance
or maliciousness, it checked all Red
Cross work there for a short time.
Wherever branch officers have des-
ignated the use they wanted their
supplies put to, the boxes have been
forwarded promptly. Several branch
es suggested that if the organizations
within the jurisdiction of the North
Florida Chapter could complete a cer-
tain portion of base hospital equip
ment, it would be well to assembly
this in Jacksonville for shipment DR..
Guy Snavely, director of the South
ern division, in Atlanta, has stated
that hospital equipment is being as
sembled in Atlanta, and unless the
branches and auxiliares in that vicin-
ity have already prepared sufficient
supplies, it is probable that some of
the supplies from this state will be
shipped there. Boxes of surgical
dressings, unless otherwise stated,
will be shipped to Europe.
Another rumor, which has been
persistently circulated, is to the ef-
feet that branches and auxiliaries of
the North Florida Chapter have to
buy all supplies in Jacksonville. This
is not only untrue, but the director
OF branches has urged each organiza-
tion to adopt the sogan, "buy at
home," and has even urged that
branches make only those supplies
they could purchase materials for in
their own communities. When this
has been impossible, at the request of
the branches, the purchasing commit.
te of the chapter has secured the ne
cessary supplies.
1t has been reported that supplies
sent by the North Florida Chapter to
Washington had been turned down"
and declared to be inferior. This
also is absolutely untrue. The sup.
plies which have been sent have been
accepted, and put in use. The work
of the chapter has proven acceptable,
and the work of the branches shipped
through the chapter has also been ac-
cepted.
1t has been stated in some towns
that the officers of the North Florida
are salaried men and women.
This, also, is without foundation.
Each officer of the chapter, and mem
bers of the committees devote hours
Of time daily to Red Cross work, and |
receive no compensation whatever.
Another report is to the effect that
he North Florida Chapter, in an eff !
ort to enroll more members has re-
used to grant Red Cross certificates
o women who have taken first-aid
courses arranged by another organi-
ation.
To secure Red Cross certificate.
is necessary that the pupils study
lnder a regularly appointed Red
ross instructor. 1t matters not who
he physician may be who conducts
he class, the pupils are not eligible
secure Red Cross certificates un.
ess the physician has received his !,
fficial appointment before beginning
lass instruction. The young women
mo formed classes independently of
he Red Cross, and then applied for
led Cross certificates, were refused ,
ne examinations by the first-aid com. ,
littee. not because the chapter de. |,
lred to enroll more members. but
ecause the rules of the national or I
anization prevent this. Whether (,
iese young women enrolled as Red 8
ross members or not, they could T
scure the certificates if they took
lstruction from Red Cross instruc.
'rs.-Jacksonville Times Union. h
A special to the Times-Union from .