Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-17
Ben CR0Ss CAMPAIGN OPENS
Statewide Quest for Members,
First of Many, Planned.
Telegram from President Wilson Read
1t Tuesdays Conference-Now g
branches and $500 MEMBER
In the Chapter.

Preparations to launch the first State
wide membership campaign to be carried
bon in any State Of the Union by the
american Red Cross were made at
conference in town Tuesday Of dele
gates from many branches Of the Yer
mont chapter. A feature of the meeting.
which opened just after luncheon. was
the following telegram from President
Wilson to Acting Chairman Redheld
Proctor. which Governor Graham read
'Redfeld Proctor.
american Red Gross.
Proctor. VT.
1.-THE proposal of the Vermont state
chapter. American Red Cross. to enroll
10000 members is a splendid evidence OF
patriotism In the misfortunes Of war. The
men who are willing to give their lives
for the defence OF their country deserve
TO find the people they protect prepared
10 care for the sick and the wounded
A large, wel-organized and efricient Red
Cross is essential for the sick. result
thereof is both a patriotic and human
service that Is rendered by every citi-
zen of the country who becomes a men,
|Nber Of the American Red Cross.
WOODROW WILSON"
Besides the Governor and Mr. Proctor.
I. addresses were made by Charles r.
|tNutter, associate director of the New
England division; A. ]. r. Helmus. field
secretary OF the division, and Sidney r.
Morgan. special field representative from
the Washington headquarters. Mr. Proctor
announced that there were now Is
( branches, with a membership OF more
than $500 in the State. After the meeting
|, proper Mr.. Helmus said that he and Mr..
| Morgan, with State officials Of the Red
(NrORQ asQict In
the campaign aided by eight or ten mon
i who would be ready to go out on call to
the help of branches needing their sup
port.
A representative gathering attended the
meeting, which was held on the Hotel
Vermont roof garden May q to June 2
Ii the period of the campaign. but the
important work, as Mr. Nutter pointed
out, will be done beforehand. The num-
Der of members assigned to Vermont Is
1000. in addition to those they already
have. Headquarters will be established
in the Hayward block at 1856 Main street
Several striking posters for use in stores,
on street cars, etc. have been gotten out,
and their use was explained at the meet
ing. Burlington will be the center Of the
campaign. and literature will be shipped
out from here all over the State.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS
Governor Horace F. Graham the first
speaker. said in part
II think have said on one or two occa-
sions during the last month that per-
haps the time had passed for us to talk.
and the time had arrived for us to get
into action, and It seems to me that this
fs true here to-day, and I only want to
say word because of the once which
hold. and which comes to me because OF
the other Office Of Governor.
Now I don't suppose that any Of US
realize the real situation that confrUnts
us. had the good fortune last Satur-
day evening when in Boston to attend a
banquet given there. and Ss l sat and
listened to the talk about the table I be-
came more and more convinced that the
time had come for us to do our part.
las an illustration as to what condi-
tons are to-day, I want to Just call your
attention to one message which had yes
terday from James J. Starrow, the chair
man Of the Massachusetts, committee on
public safety, a man who is giving his
time and money to this matter. and has
for the last six weeks. AS an illustration
of conditions he called me up. and as we
have been in communication with the au
thorities abroad. and they are asking u.
to get together 10 portable sawmills, with
60 men each. that they may be shipped tc
England at once. and said, what are the
purposes Of that? He said, to cut dowr
the trees in some Of those noble parks ir
England and ship the timber to France
A thousand of those things may b<
brought to your attention.
but what I want to talk about is thu
Red Cross. The best that can be sait
about it is what appears upon the mem
bership blank. that upon the Red Cross
%o01c <bo 1,,t,y of y{p For bo cir ~
wounded of the army and navy ant
looking after the welfare Of the soldier
families.
by increasing the membership We brint
II contributions and interest in this cause
for no business can be conducted withou
a liberal support not only ir men. but II
money. 1T is for that purpose that VI
seek to increase the membership and en-
large the organization SO that the mem
bers may not only contribute. but do
thousand and one things that It will b
necessary to be done II this war contin
ues."
The Governor said In closing: II wan
you to see to 1t that Vermont does he
part in the Red Cross organization"
Mr.. Nutter spoke In his usual live weir
explaining the methods of campaign an
various successes achieved elsewhere. TIL
Kennebec, Maine, Journal, he said. ha
published 16-page supplement whic
had been devoted entirely to Red Cros
work In this city 10000 buttons will al
rive soon for distribution In the campaign
One good method was to choose ten me
and persuade them to obtain ten mem
bers apiece. Communities that have n
branches will be reached by the workers
but their dues will be sent direct to Bui
lington.
Mr.. Morgan explained methods en-
ployed in the South and Middle Yves
etc, where he had worked: Atlanta, Ga
New Orleans. La. etc He describe
some of the literature and the posters
Mr.. Helmus spoke OF the fine result
obtained in membership campaigns
southern and eastern Massachusetts
Rhode Island. etc.
INFORMAL GROUP MEETINGS
Informal group meetings followed ii
meeting proper. State and other officia
sxpnsnfng to various delegates matter
connected principally with the campaign
These continued through the evening
beginning at about four o'clock in II
afternoon.
CATHEDRAL WEDDING.
W. L. Harlan Of Syracuse and Mi