The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-06-18

Rainy weather did not deter several
hundred people from attending an enthu-
siastic mass meeting held last night in
the Barre opera house as starter TO
Barre's Red Cross campaign for this
week. There were two speakers at the
rally, Harold w Slocum, director of the
Vermont chapter of the society, and Paul
D. Moody chaplain of the lst Vermont
infantry Both were accorded hearty
applause.
William d. Mcdonald, chairman of the
executive committee of the local branch
of the Red Cross chapter, introduced the
speakers after saying a few words about
Bsrre's part in the campaign, pointing
out that it was primarily campaign
for money and not for members. Director
Harold ". Slocum was the first speaker
and after briefly summarizing the
events that had lt3 up to our entrance
into the war some 20 days since, vividly
outlined the needs and duties of the
American Red Cross.
He said that the Red Cross was to
follow the arms of the United States
wherever they went in this war. The
Red Cross had its origin in the idea of
the useless suffering that is
always found where war is. 1t is poor
economy, and inhumanity as we'll, to let
soldiers lie on the field of battle
and slowly perish. Then the devasta-
tion, to be found where any large army
is, must be offset to some extent in order
to keep the inhabitants of the devastat-
ed territory from starving to death, for
they are temporarily made dependent
upon outside resources. The work of
the Red Cross also includes the furnish
ng of doctors, nurses, hospitals and all
their equipment, and the means of con
veying such hospital units to the points |
where they are most needed. Mr.. Slo- !
,um stated that the German violation of |
IN international agreement allowing the |
Red Cross to work unmolested on the |
,attlefelds of all nations, only made |
he need of the Red Cross the stronger.
Thus far the American Red Cross has !
llready placed six hospital units along
he western front in preparation for the
American troops that will soon be fight
ng there.
Mr.. Slocum then told how the Red
ross was serii-ofiicial organization,
President Wilson being its head. The
government has come to depend upon
he Red Cross for certain things, and if
/ cannot furnish them when they are
sked for the cause of the United States
will suffer accordingly. The Sl0o. .OO0. 900
hat is to be raised this week is abso-
utely essential for three reasons. These
easons were outlined by President viii
on at a meeting of the Red Cross war
ouncil, and are as follows: I. Hospital
nd medical equipment 10 supplement
hat Of the army and medical depart
lent equal TO any emergency. Equip
lent for l,000,00U men ought to be pro-
ided at once. ?. Recreation and rest |
lcilities behind the firing lines. Amer
ans on leave, unlike the British and 1
rench soldiers, cannot return to their !
ONES. Club rooms, sport supplies, books Z
nd other means Of recreation must be J
mt them from America 3 Personal q
1mfort kits and small articles not in s
uded in army regulations. Thousands ]
( articles from tooth brushes to pipes, 4
.e-. are needed 80 take the place Of
rings that could not be brought along s
In conclusion. Mr.. Slocum emphasized 2
.e purpose Of Germany in this war, its q
slfbcrate attempt % make the German Y
= superman who would crush At will a
meath his iron heel the other peoples Y
the earth Germany j. q common {
iemy and must Be crushed for the com h