Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-05-26
SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1917.
YOU ARE INVITED.


Every patriotic American of good stand
ing is invited to join forces with the Amer
lean Red Cross in its efforts to aid the
army and navy throughout the war with
Germany. There is a nationwide move
ment on foot TO increase the membership
of this great organization to one million
members. To that end President Wilson
has issues a proclamation appointing June
25 as Red Cross Day.
Already American men and women are
responding to the call. New chapters of
the American Red Cross are being organ
ICED everywhere. and il is believed that by
June 25 there will be worked up a nation
wide enthusiasm in behalf of this great
patriotic institution which will increase the
membership cyep beyond the million mark.
Brownsville has made a beginning to-
wards the organization of a chapter of the
Red Gross, which has been named the Rio
Grande chapter. Its jurisdiction includes
all of Cameron county. The local press
has been requested by those in charge of
the work of organizing To cooperate with
the movement and 10 extend an invitation
to- all patriotic Americans, both men and
wemen to become members. Ii is hoped
sincerely that the response VII he such as
to reflect that true spirit of patriotism and
love of humanity which has always char
acterized our citizens.
The Rio Grande Red Cross Chapter is
not IN any sense a mere local institution.
1t Is a part of the national organization.
To become a member Of the Rio Grande
chapter means To become a member of the
national organization. There appears 10.
be some misapprehension regarding the ma
ture of the obligation imposed by MEM
bership. Some think it may involve active
service as Red Cross nurses. This is an
error. Membership involves no active ser
vice of any sort, unless the individual
member wishes to perform such service.
Those who join will be expected to pay
the membership dues, OF course, the an
nual membership costing only one dollar
yearly. Naturally they would be expected
to attend meetings and assist in promot-
ing the local work of the chapter by any
means in their poverty any means which
men and women of kindly heart and chart
table impulses would use to extend relief
TO any who are in need of such aid.
This, in fact, j. the basic principle of the
Red Cross-to aid in the prevention or al
deviation Of human suffering, either in
time of war or in time of peace.
The American Red Cross is a quasi Of
fetal organization. 1t j. chartered under
the laws of the United States, having been
incorporated by act of congress in 1905.
The president of the United States is presi-
dent of the American Red Cross. Former
President William Howard Taft Is chair
man of the central committee, whIcL is its
gv' cIning boarl. All of IL officers are
men of the highest standing nationally. It's
frances are audited annually by the war
department.
Since it was Incorporated in 1905, the
American Red Cross has carried on over
eighty great relief operations. Whenever
a calamity of great proportions occurs, the
RED Cross is first on the ground. extend
ing relief to the victims. Its operations
are conducted under two departments, one
for military relief and one for civilian re-
lief. ID should be known by all Interested
that the American Red Cross is the only
relief society that j. authorized by the
government to cooperate with the hospital
service of the army in time of war, for the
relief of sick or wounded soldiers.
The Brownsville Herald feels confident
that our citizens will take pleasure in at
tending the meeting at the federal court
room at eight o'clock this evening TO hear
the purposes of the Red Cross explained
by Mrs. H.. Il. Early. field worker of the Red
Cross. Mrs. Early is one of the prominent
national workers in this great cause. 1t
is due he rand due your country that You
should extend her n courteous and a cor
dial greeting, and show that Brownsville
people, as well as Americans everywhere