Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-07-12

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gave up hope Of peace, When, finally the nation
declared war, the &c base hospitals were complete
ly organized. equipped and supplied, and back of
them was n great body of men and women trained
to the work of keeping them supplied.
That Is how the Red Cross works in all its man
fold activities. The heads of the organization
and tina, means the heads of the nation-deter-
mine what Is needed. and through the division
directors ia the chapters goes the word OF what
Washington wants-and instantly the people, on
whom rests the Red Cross. begin +" supply it.
Belgium was violated. and ten millions of help
less civilians left starving and freezing. The Red
Cross to the rescue. and at President Wilson's
call money and supplies were raised ana sent
over. To be there distributed by Red Cross agents.
Serbia was crushed. and stricken with tyl'hus
fever. There went the American Red Cross. with
strong and capable surgeons and skilled nurses
Lnckel by money and medicines and supplies FUR
nished by the Red Cross. 1t cost III" lives OF
some of the finest Of the Red Cross workers, but
typhus was stamped out and thousands upon
thousands saved.
There was an earthquake nj MeSSina, Italy
The American Red Cross was there with surgeons
and nurses. food and cl~othing-yes, even with
portable frame houses 'Inade in America to
house the victims until they could rebuild their
homes.
There was a great famine in China. There, 100,
was the American Red Cross. not only helping
feed the starving. hut with a commission of some
Of the most famous engineers of the war depart
ment, To whom China intrusted the task of spend
ing 5000 600 on n system of works to prevent
the overflow Of the great river which yearly de-
s,roye,l crops and caused famine.
That is how the Red Cross works.
NrI,- }to urrl, t. dana NV tho Red Cross Is
easiest of all TO explain. though perhaps least IN
dcrstood by the public. II is because the work 81
preparing beforehand to meet unforeseen cmer
gencies. and Of alternating human suffering, ma
never been undertaken by any other agency. II
the words of the odd saw. "eyerybody's business l.
nobody's business"
1t seems almost Incredible. but after a} the cen
turtles OF war and agony, no nation In history eve
went to war with an organization CAPABLE of Cur
ing for the men wounded on the battlefield, to Sa'
nothing Of the victims of raIine, disease famli'
and peStllenco that stalkel across the land ate
the, armies.
Never, until this present year Of grace, ha
there ever been a base hospital organized, In tim
of peace, TO care for the wounded after n batti'
There Is Il small medical corps with the army, yes
but 1t can merely pass the wounded back to feel
and evacuation hospitals. giving only Il tnmpornr
dressing-often not even that, There are Away
home hospitals. too. Tut the gap between then
now filed by base hospital organizations, Ina
never heretofore been filled until thousands Ia
on the field dying of thirst and fever and loss {
blood for lack of that very thing.
After the battle of the Marine. In the presel
war, the Red Cross facilities were so limited TN
men lay in the scorching sun ON the battlefield II
two, three. four, and even five, days with m
even a drop of water, nor Il hnndnge on the
wounds. 1t cost thousands of arms and legs TIL
roull hive beeu saved. cost many n life needless
spent. and the anguish endured can never
voiced.
That Is why the Red Cross is here. It may
said that the governments of the various cou
tries should have met the need. True-~bnt IN
? never did. All governments are more or lie
T bound down by precedent. constitutional and lf
; islatiye limitations, politics and short s%ightcdnc'
] And II has now been found that the Red Gro
I protected and encouraged by the government, c
D do quickly and well many things which the &c
u eminent could not do for itself.
l Speaking locally and ~selfshly. there are stro
u personal reasons why every American should nc
the Red Cross. In this war. 1t may be you or II
= your brother or mine. whose life IL saved ny I
4 handages the Red Cross Is making. Here
home. 1t may be your house or mine blown up
T. storm-wrecked or food your family
mine left destitute by any one of n score of dis
! tiers. And in that case we ourselves would benz
u by the ministratlons OF the Red Cross,
q From the standpoint Of the business mnn.
strong and active Red Cross Is nm insurni
II policy. When disaster comes, It Is always
- business man who Is called from his office or ST
n to take up the unfamiliar task OF raising run
4. Investigating cases Of restitution. overseeing
:" purchase " supplies and their distribution. :
'e getting the survivors back to where they can 81
" their living again. But with n trained Red Or
u the disturbance Of normal life IA Mt a mlhim'
~ Almost before n citizens committee could
Ie chilled together, capable and experienced men.
~ " rectcd by the head Of a division. himself un
In orders from Washington, lays n firm md stel
hand on affairs, and relief Is given surely. swif
IL Justly, and the business man does not have
ne spcnd valuable days and weeks ut work FOR wi
~ he has no training.
OF Nationally and locally, the Red Cross II
80 hest accident insurance any people can nave.