Norwich bulletin., 1917-12-17


 paign for 5000 members in the Ma tionai Fed Cross was launched at the Davis theatre Sunday afternoon -un- der the most favorable conditions. The large throng of people who attended were met upors their entrance to the theatre by officers and members of the Home Guard clothed in their regula- tion uniform who acted as ,uShers. This gave to the occasion the milf tary setting essentially go necessary to a Red Cross campaign rally.
 Under the ahie direction :f Arthur F. Libby, assisted by Otto F. Ernst, the stage was tastefui1y decorated with the National and Allied 'colors. In the center Of the background, hung at full length a. huge American flag. on the left French flag and on. the right the British. to the front and on the extreme right hand side of the booths with young ladies dressed in the Red Cross service costume seated within. This feature of the stage at tracted no little attention and it is berships that the campaign is being conducted. Fifty of these boths with Ped Cross lady attendants located in the factories, churches, hotels and business houses will serve as receiv- ing stations where memberships are to be signed and where everyone is urged to go and leave their dollar or more during the week of December IT to A.
 The Liberty Chorus recently formed under the very able leadership of; c. D. Geer, rendered the needed amount of patriotic music for such an occa- sion. From the initial number. the Battle Hymn of the Republic. written Ward Howe. with its closing verse, the words of which so perfeS>ly blend cd with tlce spirit of the times. "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that trsnsfgured you and nre,-as he died to make men holy so he died to make men free, Our God is marching on,' down to the closing number, America. everyone present seemed to fairly feel their blood jingle to be of service and tn render such aid as their means would permit. This was amply testified to by the gener- ous subscriptions received by. the Home Guard boys at the close of the exercises. A Liberty orchestra under the direction of Walter w. Lang, fur nie..'s music and accompanied the singing.
 Rev. J. H. Fitzmanrice was called upoD to lead the devotional part of the programme.
 His Honor Mayor Allyn L. Brown presided in his usual easy manner. stating briefly that he bad been re- uuested 70 act as chairman by Rev. Joseph II. Selden, who was detained at home because of illness. After re- ferring to the great work that the Red Cross is doing. not alone in Amer ica but in foreign fields, he introduced the Rev. C. H. Ricketts, as one of who had given as much or more than most of is, stating that he had four sons in the Federal service. Applause greet ed his remarks.
 Mir. Ricketts gave rnany vital req sons why the work of the Red Cross should have the suppor. of every Toy = al hearfad A1earihan t -'
 afr. Brown next introduced H. A. Tir-reH, briefly stating that the com mittee were disappointed in receiving work from Hon. q. W. Alsop, a mem Der of the State Council of Defense of his ability to be present. He said he felt sure tl,at we would be pleased to hear again from Mfr. Tirreil as we had in the past. MT. Tirrell explained the system of the campaign calling attention to the Red Cross booths at