Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-12
LOCAL RED CROSS CHAPTER
RECEIVES URGENT APPEAL
Cites Presidents Appointment Of
Red Cross War Council as
Reason for Activity.
MUST MOBILIZE IMMEDIATELY
Funds Are Needed Both i'll the Field
. aud for Civilian Rclicf-Prcsident
Wilson Expresses Hope for Gcner-
Gus Response.

The Richmond Chapter. American
Rcd Cross yesterday received the fol-
lowing telegram from Ellio, Wads-
worth. vice chairman OF tho Executive
Committee. American Red Cross. at
Washington:
The Presidcn; has to-day appointed
a Red Cross War Council consisting of
Henry p. Dawson. OF !. L. Morgan
& Company. chairman. Charles ID. Nor
ton, G. +. Murphy; Cornelius y. Bliss.
Jr., Edward II. Hurley, with William ii.
Taft chairman. Elliot Wadsworth vice
chairman of tho Executive Committee
ex-officio members. The President to-
day issued the following statement:
May 10. 1917. l have to-day Great
ed within the Red Cross a war council
to which will be entrusted the duty
Of responding TO the Extraordinary de-
mands which the present war will
make upon the services OF the Red
Cross both in the field and in civilian
relief. The best way in which to inn
part tho greatest efficiency and energy
10 the relief work which this war
will entail Will be concentrated in the
hands OF single experienced organi-
zation which has been recognized
by law and by international convcn-
tion as the public fundamentally for
such purposes. Indeed such concen-
tration OF administrative action in this
matter seems TO me absolutely neccs-
sary and l hereby earnestly call upon
all those who can contribute either
great sums or small TO the alienation
Of the suffering and distress which
must inevitably arise out OF this fight
for humanity and democracy to con-
tribute TO the Red Cross. II Will be
one OF the first aud most necessary
tasks OF the new War Council on the
Red Cross to raise great sums or mon
all lNn
done and done upon great scale.
hope that the response TO their ef-
forts will he a demonstration OF the
generosity OF America and tho poser
OF genuine practical sympathy among
our people that will command the adj
miratlon OF the whole world
NECESSARY TO MODIFY PLANS
6ERETOFORE ANNOUNCED
I'm view OF the above. it is neces-
sary 10 modify the plan outlined in
Circular A-2e For the use OF the
war council. the national finance COM
niittce appointed by President Wilson.
headed by Cleveland Dodge and Seward
Prosser. Of New York, will raise "A
great Red Cross war fund through our
chapters. Not a moment must be lost
in preparing ourselves to meet the
pressing calls from Europe and the
emergencies which are soon to con-
front US here. Every chapter should
at once mobilize and re-enforce its
finance committee for this work which
is Of the utmost Importance and
urgency. Call Immediately n meeting
of your executive committee TO make
far-reaching plans for a finance cam
paiGn, as we look TO you confidently
for large results. Please telegraph the
names of members OF your finance
committee TO Seward Prosser, Amcri-
can Red Cross, Washington, D. c. You
IN yls. "a ft,rl
Mr.. Prosser regarding his plans and
methods. The war council is organic
ing to-day.
"The increasing need among our
allies for supplies that can be fur
nished quickly only by purchase as
reported by Herbert Hoover. and the
inevitable development OF home needs
as we approach mobilization of vast
numbers OF American troops make il
clear that 10 meet the unprecedented
situation the war council must ask
that each chapter retain from The pro-
ceeds OF the Red Cross war fund cam
pafSn an amount for local needs not in
excess of - per cent OF the total
raised by IT. Many OF our chapters
approaching the situation, viii turn
over the total amount so raised TO the
Red Cross war fund
The war4i.eumcii whenever possible
with advantage, Mil authorize eXpen-
.dftures for specified supplies by the
chapters in their own communities.
and particularly for the purchase OF
materials 10 be made by tn. chapters
Into these needed articles. The funds
as raised are 10 he deposited by each
chapter In its local bank in special
account 10 he known the Red Cross
war fund. To be RENTED to national
headquarters as required. Later, the
war council will take fun account OF
the needs by chapters for local civilian
relief. which will become greater as
our own troops are moblized Please
AT once call together your executive
committee and telegraph me assur-
ances OF their cooperation In Presi,
dent wilson's fa!-siEhted plans for
our Red Cross, and give this messag e
full publicity"