The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-08-11

/
the War Council of the Red Cross
today made public a statement set
, ting forth the finances and other i'm
portant facts concerning the Red
Cross up to July 81, 1917. Mr.. Davi
son authorizes the following:
| 1t is the earnest desire of the Red
| Cross that the American people, tC
whom the Red Cross belongs, should
know all about its acts and its affairs
| The people have given a wonderful
exhibition of generosity and big-heart
edness and at their bidding the Amer
lean Red Cross has undertaken the
! most stupendous effort in the history
of mankind to relieve suffering and
distress.
The accounts of the Red Cross are
regularly audited by the War Depart
ment. and an annual report is made
to Congress. But it is the purpose
of the War Council to take the people
day by day, as fully as possible into
its confidence. Information as to Red
Cross matters will accordingly be
made public in great detail.
The War Council was appointed by
| President Wilson on May 10. The per.
| iod from then until July was largely
devoted to the campaign to raise
| money, and to developing an organiza-
| when it had been raised.
The campaign for 100000 600 re-
suited in subscriptions of about $780,
100000, and Red Cross dividends of
about $19,000,o0o. Final returns are
not yet available.
The total War Fund subscriptions
paid in on August 1, 1917. amounted
to $30,047,116.13 Disbursements up
to that date were s2.S72, 59S.64
Total appropriations Of the War
Council up to and including July 81
amounted to s6,175,752.
To handle the business of the Red
Cross year ago there were Is en-
ployees at Washington headquarters
today there are 700 paid employees
and 81 fulltime volunteers The num-
Der Of members of the Red Cross on
August 1, 1916, was 206,077 On July
q. 1917, there were 2,547.412 mem
bers. Over 5000 pieces of mail come
into Red Cross headquarters every
day, and each must receive attention.
The full time volunteer workers,
who are aiding in administering the
affairs of the Red Cross during the
war, include the head of the largest
copper company in the world bank
president, a railroad vice-president,
and numerous men of influence and
prominence from all parts of the Unit
ed States. The ability and enthusiasm
which has been placed freely at the
disposal of the Red Cross in this sit
&c of RI 10
features of this enterprise.
Members of the War Council and
their staff ASSISTANTS, together with
many heads of departments created
specially for war service, are serving
without salary from the Red Cross.
In addition to the 81 volunteer Off
GERS or employees at headquarters
giving their full time to the Red Cross
without salary, the organization on
July Is had on its payroll 43 officers
or employees receiving salaries of
$4,000 or more a year. Twenty-Five
of these officers or employees were
on the payroll before the declara-
ton of war and before the Red Cross
was reorganized for war service. The
salary list under peace conditions,
which is continued in operation, in
cluded one officer with salary OF
$500, one at $4,000, four at $4,000,
two at $4,000, two at $500, one at
s3,250. nine at $4,000, one at s2,25O,
and eight at $4,000.
OF the 43 officers or employees who
are paid salaries of $4,000 or more,
fourteen have been added since the
appointment of the War Council on
May 10; one with a salary OF $4,000,
one at $4,000, .one at $4,000. two at
$4,000, one at S2.700, one at $4,000,
three between $4,000 and $4,000. and
four at $4,000.
Aside from the officers or employees
receiving salaries ofs2,OOO or above,
all other paid employees at headquar-
tiers. are clerks or messengers. OF the
clerks "a receive salaries in excess
of 500 a month, 33 are paid 800 a
month, and GOT are paid less than
500 month. Many employees re-
ceive only nominal salaries, whereas
they are accustomed to earn much
more. This service is their contribu-
ton to the Red Cross. All admins
tration and overhead expenses at
headquarters are much more than
met by dues from members OF the