Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-04-19

ICED.
In fact. the division headquarters in
Boston has been trying for the past
three months to make out satisfactory
standardized chart without success. The
fact to keep in mind was that the Red
Cross did no philanthropic or charitable
work. but awork Of preparedness for emer-
gencies. either civil or military. Where
the ground already has been pre-empted
by local public safety committees. Mr..
Nutter recommended that the Red Cross
committees should work with them. Such
committees were temporary. however, and
anyhow 1t was unusual for the Red Cross
work to be taken over In such q way by
other local bodies.
The growth OF the Red Cross has been
large over many parts Of New England.
Mr.. Nutter told how in Brunswick, Me-,
IL per cent. Of the population has joined
Providence and Newport, r. l., are other
communities that have made large in
creases. Membership campaigns are con-
templated. though not yet decided upon,
in Maine. New Hampshire and Vermont
directed from division headquarters.
Surgical dressings, said Mr.. Nutter, are
no longer needed for our army. but they
are required abroad as usual. During the
past year $4,000 dressings were shipped
speaker advised the delegates that the
Red Cross was a symbol which could not
be worn by any but Red Cross nurses,
etc. and with one exception was the
symbol exclusively Of the organization.
1t was illegal a. well as against the rules
Of the Red Cross for those not authorized
to use the symbol.
SECRETARY HOwAfsD's REPORT.
Secretary Howard prefaced his report
Of the executive committee. given In the
foregoing, my remarks on the state of the
work in Vermont. He said the division
warehouse at 1000 washington street, Bos-
ton. was not yet ready to supply materials
to be worked into garments. The chapter
has asked for materials to make up 1000
pairs Of pajamas. for instance, to be sup
piled to the State militia.
In response to question Mr.. Nutter
said ~ per cent. of the population was
about the maximum proportion that might
be received into membership in a branch
Miss Constance Wheeler. secretary Of
the city and county branch, said that
two consecutive courses Of eight days
each duration were to be given here by a
Red Cross nurse Of division headquarters.
Both courses classes are about full. Rep
resentattves Of branches who attend these
courses are expected to be capable Of
themselves giving instruction in first aid
In their home communities.
Mrs. w. 8. Phelps Of this city exhibited
a sample comfort bag. ZOO Of which are
to be sent to the members Of the 1st Yer
mont infantry when they are completed.
Ex-Governor w. w. Stickney of Lud-
low made a somewhat extended address
in which he explained the work Of the
subcommittee on coordinate aid, OF
which he IL chairman. The sub-commit-
tee is part Of the state public safety COM
mittee.
EVENING MEETING.
The city hall auditorium was filled. or.
chestra and galleries, In the evening when
mass meeting for the public in general
was held. Chairman Proctor presided and
he, Mfr. Nutter and Ex-Governor Stickney
made addresses. couple OF boy scouts
gave a short demonstration in first aid
the first feature Of the program. and
Mr.. and Mrs George H. wilder and theiI
pupils gave a concert.
Bishop Coadjutor George Y. Bliss Of
the Episcopal diocese Of Vermont de-
livered the Invocation. closing with thu
Lords prayer. which was repeated by
the audience after him. Secretary Howard
Col. Ira l.. Reeves and Chaplain Stone
Of the navy recruiting station occupied
seats on the platform. Mr.. Howard an.
nounced that Postmaster James r. Burke
had offered the use Of the postoffice lobby
for enlistment purposes.
| Ex-Governor Stickney explained a.
| length the work Of his subcommittee. HI
said that military experts were prett,
| we'll agreed that the war was to last fo
| some time yet. and II a faction in Russlt
| should bring about a separate peace will
| the enemy the war would last a consider
| able time still. He announced that a room
| in the arrnory had been offered as depo
| for supplies. where comfort bags
pajamas, towels. handkerchiefs. etc
might be collected for the militia. He re
| ferred to the fact that more than 500
| members were represented among thu
branches OF the chapter. Such work coult
be carried on best by the Red Cross.
Mr.. Proctor, who followed, began hi
speech with reading an editorial published
in New York newspaper. In which tn
| patriotism Of the State In appropriatinl
81 100000 was warmly commended Nh
| Proctor also referred to the membership
Membership work and finance commit
tees and three officers sufficed to carr
on the work Of a branch. But there wa
strong need Of an office here. for tn
chapters headquarters.
Mr.. Nutter. who was next introduced
said his whole address had but one aim
to persuade his hearers to join the Re
Cross. He explained the organization
from the top to the bottom. and spok
Enthusiastically OF the work of Elliot
Wadsworth as executive. He describe
the two departments of work. militar
and civil. In the former there were no,
rs base hospitals. nearly all Of them com
pletely equipped with 600 beds each an
all other necessary articles. Under tn
former department the selling OF Re
lCross seals was an important feature
From 1905-l5 the Red Cross received an
distributed s15.0O.O00. The relief afforde
in times Of peace in large disasters lik
the San Francisco earthquake and Obi
floods was the big work during peace.
He found there were four common pub
lie fallacies regarding the nature Of tn
Red Cross organization: First. that
was an organization solely for womer
when. as q matter of fact, 1t was dc
signed for both sexes. fifty-fifty: SECOND
that 1t was an organization for nurses
third. that an obligation to serve as /
war time was involved; fourth. that due
80 abroad No dues go abroad. there
no obligation to serve in the ranks OF tn
} society in peace or war. and anybody ma
become q member. practically speaking
J on payment OF Dues
Mr.. Nutter said foreigners knew nor
about the Red Cross than Americans. an
recitod facts to prove the much large
membership in proportion to population