The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1917-12-21
TEN MILLION GOAL OF BIG DRIVE
EXPECTED TO BE DOUBLED,
GIBSON PREDICTS.
BOY SCOUTS TO JOIN WORK
Merchants In Country Districts &c
Make Campaign In Automobiles
to Win Support for the
Army's Right Hand.

UNIVERSAL as citizenship, Is the new
slogan OF the Christmas membership
campaign committee of the American
Red Cross for the Southwestern diyi
sion, comprising the states OF Mis-
souri,, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas and
Oklahoma. From the enthusiasm with
which the preliminaries of the drive,
which opens Monday, Dec. II. continu-
ing until Christmas eve. are proceed
ing. officials at Washington expect the
original figures Of 10, OOO,O 900 new mem.
Ders to be doubled.
In fact. If there are only 10, 900, 900
new members added to the 5000 900
already enrolled officials will be dis
appointed, according to a message re
ceiyed at Southwestern division head,
quarters from Harvey D. Gibson, gen,
eral manager Of the American Red
Cross. In Gibson's letter he said of.
ficials would not be surprised TO see
the total membership for the nation
on Christmas eve reach a total OF
%, 200, 900.
According to John l.. John
ston. chairman of the campaign for
the Southwestern division, the drive
in many counties already is under
way, especially in the rural districts.
100000 Members Wanted.
The Southwestern division, under
the original Quota of 10, 900, 900 mem
bers, is allotted 1000, 900, but Chair.
man Johnston predicts his division
will pass this figure by 1000, 900, ap-
p%ortloned as follows: Missouri. $50,
900; Arkansas. 25O. 1000; Texas, 1000,
900; Kansas, SOC, 900; Oklahoma, 500,
00O.j
Already the headquarters Of the
Southwestern division membership
committee has begun to assume the
aspect of a military headquarters
From counties in the division where
the Red Crpss armies already have
gone over the top in the big drive
messages are arriving reporting prog
ress and asking for supplies.
From counties where the intensive
campaign has not begun. but where
committees are making detailed plans
for their drive, the requests, both by
letter and telegram, for supplies, cir
culars. posters and general informa-
ton are even more numerous. An ex-
ira corps of stenographers Is kept
busy forwarding information, issuing
directions and sending kilograms and
letters.
The storeroom at division headQuar
tiers carries the similarity to a mill
tary base even further. Every mai
and express delivery brings parcels
and boxes of supplies from Washing
ton, circulars, posters. handbooks
buttons and window cards, the ammu
milton to be used in the big drive.
What Service Flag Is.
One OF the most striking emblem.
OF the campaign is a transparent win
dow card. designed as a service flag
A large Red Cross on a white base /
the central figure. Smaller crosse
for each additional member Of tn
family who becomes a member of tn
Red Cross can be added TO the care
One Of these card service flags will b
placed In the window Of every HON
where a membership is obtained. 0
Christmas eve 1t is planned to have
lighted candle placed behind thes
flags. II the canvass equals the e.
pectatlOns Of Red Cross leaders ther
will not be a home In the diyisio
Christmas eve that does not have on
OF these flags in the window.
Boy Scouts Are to Join.
Boy Scouts are being organized
gain memberships, School program
SIGNALLING the coming Of the holiday
will have an appeal for the Red eros
The work OF the children, Red Gro.
workers feel, will he an important ia
tor in the success of the membershI
drive.
In country districts merchants wit
Nlue acquaintance dulOuB ldilueIh al
deyoting their time. or have promise
to do 80, making auto trips throughoI
the country. stopping at every hon
and urging every member of the faI
lily to take out a Red Cross membe
ship.
In some cities a census is bein
taken of every block, number
houses and apartments In the block b
ing registered, The squad assigne
to a particular block is given a numb'
of service flag cards equal in numb'
to the number OF families in Il
territory. Every flag a work'
leaves In a window is counted as
victory on his score. Every flag
brings back is chalked up as a defea
In other cities merchants haV
promised the assistance Of their clerl
during days Of Christmas shoppinI
Every purchaser will be urged 70 II
clude a Christmas membership anon
the gifts for husband. wife. broths
sister parent or child.