Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-08-31

10 Al. Chapters:
From the attached circular issued
by the War Relief Clearing House for
France and Hcr Allies. you will note
that II Is now working in close and
friendly cooperation with the amer
lean Red Cross. AS reasons for this,
we would invite your careful attention
to the detailed statements in the ac-
ccmpanying circular.
1t Is now obvious that the greatest
good can be accomplished by the es-
ta enlistment of like CO operation and
goodwill between the various war re-
lief societies associated with the War
Relief Clearing House in this country
and the local Red Cross Chapters
Shortly after the United States en-
tered the war. Mr.. H. P. Dawson,
chairman OF the War Council, appointed
an impartial committee, headed by
Judge r. S. Lovett, to study the most
effective methods Of cooperation be-
tween the Red Cross and other organ
izations. Mr.. c. A. Coffin has succeed
ed Judge Lovett as chairman, the latter
Eaving resigned to accept an import
ant Government appointment.
The initial steps having been taken
by this committee, the best results can
only be achieved by cordial, friendly
and wise cooperation OF local Chap
ters and other relief societies. which
arc all working for common purpose.
The War Relief Clearing House, in
issuing It's circular. is mailing an ex-
planatory letter from which we quote,
in part, as follows:
These considerations (shipping diff
culties) render it most urgent that in
sending supplies to France you be
guided by information secured from
the Red Cross as to the articles re-
quired at the time and which the Red
Cross will undertake to transport to,
and distribute in France.
The American Red Cross for France
and Belgium is operating in close CO.
operation with many important relief
organizations which have heretofore
been independently working in France
such as the American Distribution Ser
vice, National Surgical Dressings Com
mittee, and American Ambulance Hos
pital. Therefore, in establishing stand
ards for hospital supplies, etc, infor
nation furnished by the Red Cross in
AUNtIlCd Will ne pdScu upon tHc JolIll
investigation of the American Red
Cross for France and Belgium and
prominent American relief organiza-
tions in France"
AS the result OF the letter and circu-
lar issued by the War Relief Clearing
House, and the letter we are now ad-
dressing to you. you will doubtless re-
ceive many inquiries as to what the
Red Cross can undertake to transport
and questions as to instructions, stand
ards. etc. We suggest that. in reply
to such inquiries, you state that the
present needs are especially for knitted
articles, surgical dressings. hospital
garments and comfort kits, in the order
named.
After expert study and consultation
with physicians, surgeons and other
relief societies. complete standa ardized
directions for making the above men
toned articles have been prepared and
are now in the printers hands. These
instructions will be available shortly.
Standard patterns have been adopted
for all hospital garments required. and
all pattern companies will issue iden
teal patterns which will be known as
RED CROSS PATTERNS. Any gar
ments made according to these patterns
will be acceptable to the Red Cross.
Until these new directions and pat
terms are in the hands of Red Cross
Chapters, any Of the above articles
made by other societies should be ac-
cepted by all Red Cross Chapters, if
offered to them. handled on the same
h., ad artinIaa do
livered to the nearest Red Cross sup
ply station without expense to such
contributing society.
While making it plain that these So
cieties viii oe most welcome as a part
Of the Red Cross, under no circum-
stances should insistence or attempts
at coercion be resorted to in efforts to
bring this about.
The Red Cross will from time to
time supply it's Chapters, and societies
Of which it may have record, located
in cities or centers where no Chapter
exists, the following information:
/. AS to what particular classes Of
articles are most needed and the total
amount required.
2. The amount Of each class Of ar
the different societies. may be asked
tc produce.
8. The time within which 1t is de-
sired such articles should be made and
delivered to the Red Cross.
The work of other relief societies. in
friendly cooperation with the Chap
tiers, can be in the greatest degree
helpful to the Red Cross. il they will
join with 1t in making effective this
plan. which will obviously result in a
definite and dependable volume of pro-
duction of all such articles.
In sending to the Chapters informa-
ton as to standards. the Red Cross
will send duplicate copies which the
Chapters should distribute to all local
relief societies heretofore associated
with the War Relief Clearing House.
and the Chapters should cordially in
vite said societies to cooperate with
them to the end that the work Of all
Chapters and societies will, so far as
possible, be carried on in a spirit Of