The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-11

means in commercial and financial
activities in the west. They have
drafted Lyman L. Pierce of the organ
ization forces of the Y. NJ. c. A. in the
west and have made him executive
secretary for the western district.
1t was to emphasize the importance
of the campaign for s1O0,000.0 600 for
the American Red Cross in civilian
and military relief that the Wichita
conference was held, and Mr.. Pierce
outlined Just how the campaign of a
week commencing June is and clos
ing June 25 is to be handled.
All the states included in the call
for the conference were represented
when the conference assembled at 10
O'Clock. Ford Harvey of Kansas City
presided and introduced each of the
speakers.
He told how President Wilson had
organized a war council for the Red
Cross. and that he had appointed
Henry p. Dawson, senior member of
the firm of J. Pierpont Morgan & Co,
chairman. After a consultation with
his partners Mr.. Dawson accepted the
place, and withdrew from all active
business affairs with the great bank
ing firm he represents and until the
war is over will give his entire time,
without salary, to the cause of the
Red Cross. In addition to that all
members of the J. F. Morgan firm
have accepted subordinate positions
under Mr.. Dawson in the Red Cross
work.
Essential to Victory.
1t has been decided that 100000
600 will be needed in the Red Cross
work and the campaign is to get all
of this money in one week. All of
the members of the flying squadron
spoke at the meeting. The talks were
in effect that until the close of this
oil
Red Cross activities are declared off
1t is earnestly suggested that Red
Cross benefits be abandoned, that
membership campaigns be stopped
and that no funds be asked for in any
way except to go to the big fund that
is being raised. This fund of $780,
100000 is to be raised by gift only,
and to assure the givers of these mon
eys, the statement is made that every
dollar will go for work, net. That the
expenses of the campaign have been
underwritten, so that no expense mon
ey will have to come out of the dona-
TONS Emphasis was placed upon the
fact that the American Red Cross
must care for the ill and wounded of
the allies as well as of the American
armies. Mr. Miller said that when
Japan won the war with Russia that
Japan had the most efficient Red
Cross up to that time. Germany went
into the war, with 700, 900 trained Red
cross nurses and 80, 900 trained am
bulance drivers. THAT is why Ger
many has been able to hold out and
that is why we must have an efficient
Red Cross" said Chairman Miller.
The Red Cross is the man behind
the man with the gun"
w. j. Leppert, director of the gulf
division, with headquarters in New
Orleans, spoke on the spirit of the Red
Cross. He said that a year ago the
American Red Cross had $4,000 mem
bers, on January l there were $4,000
members, and on May "a last there
were 100000 members. That is how
the Red Cross has swept the country.
Less than forty-five days ago the gull
division was established, including the
states of Alabama. Arkansas, Missis-
slppl, Louisiana and Texas. There
were twelve organizations in those
states with a membership of 1000
On May "a there were 200 organiza-
tons with 125.000 members.
Mr.. Leppert said the American Red
Cross has six hospital corps in France
and others are going. Others of the
committee made strong addresses
| The Topeka delegates attending the
meeting were: Mayor J. E. House
Horace Hall, Frank P. MacLennan and
j. F. Dillon, chairman of the Topeka
council of the Red Cross society.