The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-21
W. ]. LEPPERT FLAYS THOSE WHO WOULD ISLANDER RED CROSS MEN AND WOMEN
State Red Cross Convention Closes Meeting of h. structiOn With Auto
 mobile Ride

American Red Cross convention yes terday at the Tutwiler hotel would be very dull when it was announced that several of the speakers scheduled to appear on the programme were unable to attend, but this was soon changed when a member of the Red Cross stated that it has been consistently ru- mored that the sweaters and knitted garments made by the various chap ters were not given to the soldiers, but were sold and she wanted Mir. Lep- pert to deny this rumor before the convention.
 "As a former soldier in the Uni-
 ted States army. I want to say
 without any hesitancy, that any
 report to the effect that an officer
 in the United States army has
 been selling any garment or sup
 plies sent to any camp by the Red
 Cross, Is base, malicious and
 vile islander, and. that anyone re-
 sponsibIe for such report is
 malicious Iiar," said MT. Lepeprt.
 saThis is one of the many libels
 which are being brought against
 number of the leading men Of
 this country and is part of the
 German propaganda carried out
 in most insidious manner.
 He further stated that he had been instructed by Henry P. Davison, chair man of the Red Cross, to run down such rumors and prosecute the origi- nators to the full extent of the law. He told of instances where names that had been sewed in garments made by the Red Cross had been found in the pos session of others, and stated any one doing this was on their way to Leaven- worth or Atlanta.
 MT Leppert stated that one of the speakers appearing on the programme, Emmett w White, would answer the draft call Wednesday when he joined the artillery at Baltimore.
 The convention was called to order at o'clock yesterday morning by the Rev. V. c. Lowery, chairman of the Troy chapter, ip the absence of Dr. T. H. Fraser, chairman of the Mobile chapter.
 
 were then called and many interesting experiences of struggles and successes were told. Among those making reports were: Mrs. P. E. Alexander, Prattville chapter; Miss Margaret c. Let's, Tusca- loosa chapter; Mrs. Belt White, Roanoke chapter; Mrs. John A. Caldwell, Annis- ton chapter, Mrs. James Crook, Jackson vile chapter; Mrs. o. E. Black, Wilson vile chapter; Mrs. Thomas w. Palmer, al bar tar. NIrS A bertville chapter; Miss Evelyn Light wood, Cullman chapter; Mrs. R. J. Grif- fin, Moundville chapter; Mrs. J. l.. Arm strong, Stevenson chapter; Mrs. M. c. Gibson, Verbena chapter, Mrs. T. c. Brooks. Attalla chapter; Mrs. Sid l.. Jones, Sheffield chapter; Mrs. N. J. liar rison, Piedmont chapter; Mrs F. Holmes Sanders. Alicevlle; Mrs. w. R. Flowers, Dothan; Mrs. Sue Mcbride, Oakhill; Mrs. Addie H. Dennis. Dadeville: Mrs. J. w. Hooper, Roanoke; Miss Lynda William son, Decatur; Mrs. Florence D. Gray, Ashland; Mrs. c. c. Parrott, Gadsden; H. A. Bradshaw, Florence; the Rev. John A. Wales, Calera.
 ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE
 Following the hearing of reports Mr. Leppert made number of announce ments of interest to the delegates and visitors, after which Mrs. J. A. Round tree of Birmingham, who has just re- turned from attending the southern con- vention of the United Daughters of the Confectionery. was asked to state brief ly what action had been taken there of interest to the Red Cross movement. She stated that resolutions were adopted pledging the efforts of the 100000 daugh- ters to the Red Cross work
 MT. Leppert then read a report from Dr. Henry M. McCrackin, national chairman of the junior membership de- partment and president of Vassar col lege, setting forth the purpose of the junior department. He urged the women to speed along with their work of col lecting funds, as there was an urgent need of funds at this time. He spoke of the 5000 babies in Belgium. whose fathers had been killed and whose mothers are missing, who have been living in caves like bats, but are now being cared for by the Red Cross. The cost of caring for these babies is 10 cents day and the men were urged to deny themselves cigar or a moving picture a day and give this money to keep some child from an early grave
 In the absence of J. Duval Armstrong director of the publicity bureau, Elm met w. White made an excellent talk on the care of the boys in the camps. fields and cantonments who are cared
  for by the Red Cross. He spoke of the canteen service which has been re- gently organized in the various chapters where the committee meets the troop trains when they pass through thee It. ies or towns and see if there is anything that they can do for the soldiers CITIZENS AND PRESS THANKED
 Following number of announce. ments, Rev. V. G. Lowery, who pre- sided over the meeting, made a beautiful talk, stating that he wished to thank the Birmingham chapter of Red Cross host to the convention and express the sincere gratitude and appreciation of the delegates to the noble leaders who are giving their service. time and brains to work in the great Red Cross cause for humanity. We want to ex tend our heartfelt thanks to the local chapter. their officers and members for their hospitality, which afforded the opportunity for us to gather here to learn more about this work and to arouse enthusiasm in same,'' he said.
 rising vote of thanks was taken by