The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-06-18
RED CROSS FUNDS
Money Contributed viii Save Sick
and Wounded Soldiers.


To the Editor of The Banner
| Today opens one of the greatest
weeks in the history of Bennington
| This state has in times past fought
fer itself 1t is now in the ranks OF
America which, together with all
the civilized world, is fighting for life
| and independence and one of the
strongest weapons at its disposal is
| our great society of the Red Cross.
Many ask why this campaign for
this $100.000,000 should not be the
work of our government. The answer
is that 1t would have to await the
long today attendant upon the passage
of any act through congress Red tape
would tie up the whole until the day
of need had passed by. The Red
Cross will get the cash and will use
the cash without delay and-God will
ing-there will be no record amongst
our soldiers as in the army of France
of 700, 900 poor boys sent home smit-
ten with tuberculosis. Remember, our
soldiers will fight 5000 miles away
from home, and when battle is
over and the wounded and dying are
gathered and sent to the rear-it will
be the camps of the Red Cross alone
which will be home" for them.
There only will they find relief from
the horrors Of the trenches, there
alone have some chance to be saved
from the insanity which so often
comes down upon those who have to
fight in this awful war Clean and
comfortable quarters will e provided,
wholesome amusements furnished and
free from the horrors of war they may
rest mind and body.
By the perfection of the German
Red Cross that nation was able to re-
turn quickly to active service a very
large percentage of their sick and
wounded whereas with the allies. by
their inferior systems and lack of
preparation, the percentage so re-
turned was two thirds less. Surely
America does not desire this latter re.
suit. Therefore we should see to ii
that this weeks campaign furnishes
the society of the Red Cross with the
money which will prevent 1t. Wheth.
er we approve of this war or not we
are in ii and we must do our bits,
rich and poor alike. 1t is not only the
dollars but the dimes, nickles and
coppers which are wanted. 1t is
money which talks and these funds in
the hands of our Red Cross will
sound a trumpet which will be heard
around the world. We are fighting a
pitiless combination formed to plum
der and murder all opposed to ii.
Only last week in a school house in
London q children were blown to bits
and of these 13 we're under six years
of age. Is that to go on? Do you
wish to chance that in America? AS
sure as the sun shines you will have
to chance it If the allies are not sue
cessful. 1t rests with each and every
one of us, rich and poor to pull to-
gether and prevent such catastro-
phe. We cannot all fight in the
trenches but there are more ways
than one of winning war and the
Red Cross" opens the portals |
through which we, at home, may help |
our soldiers to pass on to victory and
so save our country, our homes and
the lives of those we love from de-
The sum total OF all our Liberty |
loans, all our taxes, all our Red Cross |
will be nothing when |
to what we shall have to
pay If we lose this war. Therefore |
let us get to work for the time is |
short.
M. M. Shoemaker,
Chairman of the Red Cross Commit
tee for the week.
June IS, 1917.