The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-23
Meetings of Intense Enthusi-
asm Held in Which Sub
scriptions Pour In
HISTORIC GATHERING IN
JEFFERSON AUDITORIUM
John Kerr Branch Tells Au-
dience Red Gross Campaign
Has Been Happiest Period
of His Life

Up to s o'clock last night the total
collected In the Red Cross campaign
in Richmond amounted TO s34S, a6b.ss.
Additional unreported amounts had
been secured. however, but none OF
them were avaffahte last night It Is
estimated that with those the hgure
will near the s4op, 900 mark. Amounts
and the subscribers at the business
mems meeting held yesterday after
noon at the Jefferson hotel. and other
gatherings last night, will he an
bounced today.
Last night Red Cross meetings were
held In various parts OF the city. par
ticularly at Chimhorazo park, High
land park and on the South side
Addresses were made by, prominent
people calling attention TO the vslu-
Able work Of the Red Cross, and cards
were distributed for subscriptions
Patriotic songs were given. and there
were other features on the programs
. which brought forcibly to the minds
Of tho renpIe the importance OF gen
erous and quick response 10 the ar
seal for funds 10 MAX" the Red Cross
work effective
Enthusiastic Meeting NJ Jefferson
Richmond answers the call for the
second time at the head Of the list
-Four hundred thousand dollars was
her response 10 the Red Cross up 10
I O'Clock
most unique meetings OF It's kind ever
raIs in tire city adjourned. So mem
hers having contributed in one sitting
between SIS GOO and $50 600 One
hundred ana thirty leading business
mon of Richmond met in the Jefferson
j. hotel auditorium ~ SIS O'Clock yes
srrday and after brief statements ~
tho pu~rose 81 the meeting. given nv
Henry w Anderson and John Kerr
81
to their former contributions. ard In
a number % instances doubled the
same.
When subscriptions 20 the work 81
the Red Cross were first called for,
promises of contributions came in
such rapid succession that the ushers
could scarcely distribute cards fast
enough Al times subscriptions came
with less rapidly ard then a fresh
sp;rit OF giving appeared 20 sefxs the
men and calls OF 500 came faster.
The enthusiasm waved during the
hour and half OF meeting until IT,
arose TO a great cheer when a stand
arE vote Of thanks was given Henry
w. Anderson, president az the Rich
mon chapter. and John Kerr Branch,
chairman Of the finance committee
Each contribution called for applause
and at each gift OF $1,000 the applause
Holds First Place.
Richmond occupies FIRST place on
the national Red Cross list in Wash
'ington. according to Mr.. Anderson, and
in this position she must set an ex-
ample for the entire country and GER
tainly the whole South. Mr. Ander-
son commended the noble response OF
the people OF Richmond to tho Red
Cross call, especially during the past
week Of the campaign.
Bells Toll To-day
Today, between l and ! 80 o'clock.
the bells In the city will toll for those
who have died in the great war, and
especially the Americans. This toll
ins is by order OF the mayor Next
will toll for every American lost hut
ne hoped they would toll for less even
than this year, He also commended
the meeting Of Sunday, when sub
scriptions ranged from three cents
given by a Boy Scout. to $4,000. the
former gift being as gratefully re
cetved as the latter Today. each
man. woman and child is TO try to get
his friends to subscribe from three
cents up. Sundays church collec-
lions will be given to the Red Cross
Branch Makes Appeal
John Kerr Branch took tho floor
at yesterdays meeting with clearly
stated pfaCtlCdi Appeals Tor inc cause.
He cited the instance of Montreal. the
city that raised one million on the
nrst call and gradually arose TO four
million on the fourth call He also
read mothers note accompanying a
81 subscription. Her son was killed
in the PHILIPPINES in 1909 After his
short talk he called for contributions
and the response was instantaneous.
Three hundred dollars started the ball
rolling and the stone, contrary TO pro-
verb, gathered mossin lots OF 800.
5000 and $500 until leap set the
mark at $1,000 When men had
doubled their own subscriptions. the
subscri p.ions of their firms or added
certain amount. one man suggested
subscribing for their wives. This
brought a number of responses, one
/. for wife and children. There were
.hree. memorial subscriptions in ad-
dition.
After his untiring work. Mr. Branch
declares the last two weeks have been
the happiest of his life and he resents
any thanks for his labor.