The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-06-13
RED CROSS WEEK.
People Of America Called to Patriotic
Service In Support of Red Cross.

An acute situation confronts the
Red Cross work of America and Sum-
ter has been appealed to for aid
So necessary is it that every city and
Y town in the State do it's full share, and
do 1t at once that Gov. Richard /.
: Manning has wired Neill O'Donnell,
head of the local organization, asking
that steps be taken Immediately to ac-
quaint every citizen in every section
Of the city and county with the need
OF his or her personal cooperation
for making the national organization
strong enough to capably take care of
our men in the training camps and at
the front with the flag in France.
Nobody has questioned Sumter's ma =.
triotism or willingness to "see It
through" the same Is the ease with
practically every other city and town
In the country. However, the cold
fact of the matter is that in spite Of
the work done thus far, neither Sum-
ter nor any other community has vet
been able to accomplish what Is neces-
sary to be done.
Team work is needed. and the Nat
ional Red Cross committee has set
aside the week of June 18th to 25th
~ Red Cross week. time when ev
eryonc Is expected to give of their
enthusiasm and funds for putting the
organization on a sound basis. Sum-
ter must and will do her share. And
Monday night. June 18th, at Trinity
Methodist church in this city a big
mass meeting will be held to consider
the best ways and means of helping.
Rev. William Way of Charleston will
address this meeting.
Mr, ODonnell and the other work
ers In Sumter have asked The Item
and Watchman and Southron to help
enlist at least the enthusiasm of every
person In the county and these pa
pers will gladly contribute literally
OF their space with this end in view.
The result. It is confidently expect
ed. will be that Monday will see
great influx of citizens from the en-
tire county who will spend the day
here and attend the conference at
Trinity church In the evening.
At the suggestion of MIR. O'Don-
nell the Daily Item and watchman &
Southern have decided to issue next
Friday special Red Cross editions
presenting the story Of the work and
necessity for cooperation in order to
care for our boys on the firing line.
In connection with these special issues
an excellent chance is offered to mer-
chants and individuals to combine
patriotism with good business In TAX
Ing advertising space In these issues.
In similar editions run In many other
cities merchants have devoted whole
pages to exploiting the work of the
Red Cross. the vital necessity for its
existence. and have urged their pat
rons to pay at least the very small
membership fee to show their patrio-
tism. In every case for the mer-
chant the advertising has been an i'm
mense success. 1t has centered talk
on his store. II has brought him Gus.
toners and II has SHOWN WHERE
HE STANDS.
In order to help the work along and
make these special issues effective in
presenting their case to the people of
Sumter county. Mr.. Duane L. Wan
namaker. formerly advertising man.
ager of The Daily Item and watchman
q Southrcn has consented to con-
tribute his services during a part of
his vacation this week to properly
prepare tie news matter and adver-
tising for the special editions.
No one who Is thoroughly informed
on the work of the Red Cross In war,
particularly In connection with the
present great war In Europe. will gain
say the fact that II Is as necessary for
waging successful war as cannon
or shrapnel. 1t is now merely a
matter Of informing the people as n
whole, and enlisting their support In
the great national movement which
takes place all over the country next
week. at which time special informa-
tive editions of papers will be issued
from Maine to Mexico the same rs
those In preparation by The Item and
Waterman & Southron.
Or interest Is the plea made to Mr..
ODonneil by Gov. Manning, I'm tho
telegram reading as follows:
Columbia. June 8, 1917.
NELL ODonnell, Sumter, S. C.