East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-12-08
Athena. Ore, Dec. 4.


Editor East Oregonian:
on reading in your esteemed Jour
nal of the 2Ith u1t. the report o.
the recent annual meetings for "elec
uonS," | am moved to reply, and ais,
make n statement.
In reply l will say that fear tn,
political Camouflage that enVeloped
the proceedings of the occasions above
mentioned rather obscured your re.
porter's line of vision. All he ap,
parently saw was "lone woman from
Athena in her frantic and futile eff
forts to keep from being stripped OF
her waning prestige. What he did
not see was far more thrilling. For
during this encounter KS redoubtables
made n valiant attack upon the po-
sitions of rank held by the women of
the Umatilla county chapter of the
Red Cross, and captured the same
without a single loss to their num-
ber. 1 think the writer is indebted
to the East Oregonian for giving her
the distinction of having organized
the Cmatilla county chapter of the
Red Cross. The fact that she did is
so well known that it would hardly
seem necessary to discuss it further
except that two charming members
OF society close to distinguished po-
ltical aspirants of the state, ques-
toned her right to take part in the
business proceedings of the "Pendle-
ton Chapter" Hence. for the heue-
fit OF those who do not know. and
for those who have forgotten,
sketch of Red Cross work in Una
tilla county will be presented.
The lone woman" being also
lonely woman, had during Decem-
! Der and January last much time for
thought and involved therein was
the horrible conflict raging across
the waters. and the obsession that
this country sooner or later would
be involved. From this train OF
thought she was led to the Red
! Cross. In communication with the
governor of the state, national head
quarters and persons in Portland
qualified to speak. it was learned
that Oregon was in the Stacker class
as far as Red Cross work was con-
cerned. 1t was the lone woman'S
opportunity. She Immediately took
| steps to organize n chapter in this
county. The subject was presented
at an enthusiastic meeting in Athena
In January. all We're ready for the
work. However. upon consideration
ii was thought best to extend the
work to Pendleton, it being the Coun- |
ty seat. The subject was carried
/ there and presented to a small body
of women ON three occasions. 1t was
finally decided TO call meeting on
the 2Sth of February under the aus
pices Of the civic Club. The writer
presided as chairman Of the meeting. |
and also gave It history of the Red
Cross from birth until that time. She
iUfpp1p al he Il Of no rta
already taken towards such an or
ganization; outlined the policies con-
templated. and instructed them how
TO proceed with the work. 1t was
voted to organize the Umatilla Coun-
ty Chapter. to accept members then
and there and to certify the orEani-
ZatiOn to the national headquarters, |
through the proper channel.
In outlining the policies it was
clearly stated that it should he a chap |
ter. officers and board of directors to |
he elected by popular vote at the an
nual meetings. the first board of di- |
rectCrs to be elected al a meeting to |
be convened as soon as the chapter |
had been notified that its certificate |
of organization had been accepted. 1t |
was urged that auxililaries should be |
organized at once, and campaign OF /
headed the first drive for member
ship, personally interviewed the bus
mess and professional men of the
metropolis, and solicited their support 4
and membership. She was the first
subscribing member of the chapter, II
although she carried a like member Il
ship elsewhere. She was also first II
to contribute her bit" to the pur-
chasing fund of the chapter. She was
present and assisted in the opening /
of the work room. She organized
the first two auxiliaries, and has kept /
in close touch with the workers ana
work since.
In view Of the above facts it would
seem that the writer might be per-
mitted to speak in the councils of the
chapter, even to make a criticism,
At the time the Milton auxiliary was
organized. Mr.. G.. \. Pierce was nam-
ed to represent that section on the
board of directors. He was marked
time ever since. Criticism was
brought against the chairman for not |
having brought the board into ac-
ton. 1t was the only criticism made
Iy the visiting director on November |
18th. on looking over the minutes
# the organization there was reveal
I'd that there had been no business
meetings of the chapter nor of its Of
icers from July to November lst.
Two important enterprises had been
,arried on during fhis interval
namely: The supplying of the base
hospital and the Round-Up conCes-
ion, the former involving a large ex-
,enditure Of money. The criticism
lere was that the membership at
arge should have been officially no III
flied Of this obligation assumed. and
should have represented
he membership. and records of the
Oregoing business should have ap-
cared on the minutes. The only re-
erence TO the Round-Tp concession
\ the minutes was: 1T was moved
0 accept Mr.. Thompson report Of
he Round-Up concession In this
ase paid vendors representing the
ted Cross at wages ranging form 50
D 81 per day. sold tobacco. cigars,
eanuts. candy. ices. soft drinks and
81. H. F.raI