The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-12-13


Cross has set for itself in its Christ.
mas membership campaign that is to be
launched December 16. Throughout
the United States Red Cross chapters
are preparing for the enrolment of the
new army which is to stand as the or.
gained support of the boys in the
trenches.
No man is more deeply concerned ir
the world war than President Wilson
who is also president of the Rec
Cross-and this is his proclamation:
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE
UNITED STATES.
Ten million Americans are in
vited to JOIN the American Red
Cross during the week ending with
Christmas Eve. The times require
that every branch of our great ma
tional effort shall be Loyalty up
held, and it is peculiarly fitting
that at the Christmas season the
Red Cross should be the branch
through which your willingness to
help is expressed.
You should join the American
Red Cross, because it alone can
carry the pledges of Christmas
good will to those who are bearing
for US the real burdens of the world
war, both in our own Army and
Navy and in the nations upon whose
territory the issues of the world
war are being fought out. Your
evidence Of faith in this work is
necessary for their heartening and
cheer.
You should join the Red Cross
because this arm Of the National
Service is steadily and efficiently
maintaining its overseas relief IN
every suffering land, administer
ing cur millions wisely and well
and awakening the gratitude Of
every people.
Our Consciences will not let US
enjoy the Christmas season if this
pledge Of support to our cause and
the worlds veal is left unfuliilled
Red Cross memberships the Christ
mas spirit in terms of action.
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON,
President Of the american Red Cross.
The campaign is to be under the
direction Of the NATIONAL CHRISTMAS
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE COMMITTEES, of
which Theodore N. Vail, president of
the American Telephone & Telegraph
Co., IS chairman. DR.. II. N. Mae
Cracker, president of Vassar College,
Is the executive secretary, and George
S. Fowler, of New York, is the bust
ness manager of the campaign. The
other members Of the National Com
mittee are Henry Van Dyke, former
United States Minister to the Neither
lands: Bishop William H. Lawrence, of
Boston; His Eminence James Cardinal
Gibbons, of Baltimore; Mrs. Finley J..
Shepard. of New York; Mrs. W. G.
McAdoo, of Washington; Henry Wat
terson, editor of the Louisville, Ky,
CoHr1e1-JoH5naI. Ban B. johnson. of
Chicago; Charles NJ. Schwab, of Beth
lenem and New York; John w. Brit
ton, of San Francisco; Hervey Lindley,
Of Seattle; Frank N. Doubledy, of
New York; John Mitchell, of New
York; John Mitchell, of New York;
Benjamin Gratz, of St. Louis, and DR..
Frank NJ. North, of New York.
The Red Cross has now approximate
Y 100000 members, 1850, 900 of
whom have enrolled since a state of
war was declared by the United States
against Germany. The success of the
Christmas membership campaign, there
ore, means Red Cross active list of
., 900, 600 men, women and children.
Zach of the thirteen territorial Red
Cross divisions within the continental
United States has had its proportion of
he desired 10, 600 900 recruits allotted in
ldYance of the campaign. Each Of the
division managers will appoint a d.
ylsion Christmas membership drive
to take charge of the cam
'aign under the general direction of the
National Committee. Carrying out the
systematic plan of action from National
to local community, each
Red Cross chapter also will appoint
ocal drive committee under the imme-
late supervision of the Division Com
nittee. More than 5000 Red Cross
,hapters will be engaged in recruiting
service.
Many novel features have been plan
led to give zest to the campaign. There
will be special Christmas membership
enrolment blanks and Christmas men,
oership certificates which can be used
Is Christmas gifts. At railway stations
md in public utility Offices, banks, de-
oartment stores, theatres, and other
places where people congregate, en-
'ollment booths will be open from the
start to the finish of the drive, each in
charge of one to three workers in Red
cross uniform. There will be $4,000 of
.hese booths.
Following the proclamation by Presi-
dent Wilson, 1t is expected that the
governors of the States will issue sim
lar appeals to the people of their re-
'pective States. Public utility compa-
HES. department stores, ETC., have
planned to insert slips in the bills sent