The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-06-21
Red Cross TOtaI Now
 $128,000

The famous Taft smile, beSpeaking appreciation of the excellent work al- ready done in Bridgeport and urging the continuance of the campaign to the end that~the Red Cross may get Bridgeport's proper share of proceeds for the national s1D0, ,o0e, ,0u0 cam paign, shed its radiance oyer. the 240 team members gathered at The Strat- field today for the noon luncheon to make reports. The coming of Pro- lessor Taft, former president of the United States and as such former na- ItionaI headgof the Red Cross organi- zation, had It's significance which was noted in the contributions reported by the teams this noon. They were the largest Of single day this week, being $45,29S, bringing the grand total for the week thus far, to $128,- S35.
 Professor Taft's talk after the din- ner was one of optimistic tone, con- graduating the Red Cross society of the country on it's work and comend- ing Bridgeport people for their sim cere manifestations of interest and their generous contributions to the cause.
 .TEhis campaign arouses the whole people" said Professor Taft, land the delightful feature of the reports made here this noon, is ins the number of calls made by the teams. They repre- sent a fine tooth comb work that in great causes produces fine results. This Ids not a campaign among rich men, but among rich and poor alike, in which each contributes according to his means. The emphasis being placed t&I small means, has a wonderful psycho- logical effect.@
 You doubtless have been asked, as I have, why the government doesn't do this work? We are acting in this land in the light of the experience in other lands. Every nation, no matter how perfect its army organization, has it's Red Cross, supplemepting that or ganization and supported by patriotic contributions. The percentage of wounded in this war and the charac- ter of the wounds, makes very much great work necessary. It is better, also, that when the government, which has all of the great war burden, can be relieved of such a. burden as this that 1t should be relieved. It is better for the people, for it gives them a course through which they may mani
 
 Referring to Americas stand in the war, Prof. Taft said: ..The objective of the war has so widened that it is now apparent that Americas entrance with fresh vitality and spirit is to aid in the checking of the cancerous growth of militarism, which would sap the vitality of the world" Later referring to those responsible for the war, the speaker said: eff there is nc
 hell, I don't know what is to become
 of some people, and I am a Unitarian
 myself"
 Following Prof. Taft's address, Col Isaac M. U1lman, of New HavaH president of the Connecticut Chapter of the Red Cross, replied to MT. Taft thanking him for his interest an6 expressions and congratulating him upon his personal efforts in behalf o1 the cause.
 Professor Taft continued and gave an outline of the needs of the Rec Cross and how the large fund, whicr he termed as tremendous amount would be spent. During his talk, ht l was frequently interrupted and ap plauded by the large and enthusias 1 tic assemblage.
 The reports of the campaign at noo1 l were:
 I Division A-sS,455.
 Division B-$14,0 ,080.
 Citizens Committee-s22,390 Suburban Conmittee-s369 1 Total for the day-s45, ,2Ss. ! Grand total s12s.s35.