Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-12-07
Americas Red Cross.

Pretty much every body knows what the
objects of the American Red Cross are.
but many are still in ignorance of its or
ganizatiOn and to them few words of
explanation may not be out Of place.
Briefly. then. very much as the War De-
partment has organized its army Of war
into various divisions. the Red Cross has
lately organized its army Of mercy into
thirteen divisions, recalling to mind the
original organization Of our country, with
its thirteen States. These divisions, indie
pendent of each other. are all the creation
of and responsible to the parent body. the
National Red Cross Of America. Each one
OF these thirteen divisions is subdivided into
chapters. branches and auxiliaries. The
Potomac Division covers the States of Vir-
ginia, West Virginia. Maryland and the
District of Columbia, and within its limits
there are approximately five million per-
sons, each one of whom, without excep-
ton. can do something to help the helpless,
relieve the suffering on the field Of battle.
in the camp. and in the homes Of those
who have given their dear ones to the
country. Out Of this great number it is
hoped that we may create one of the most
important Divisions in the National Red
Cross Army.
The Honorable Henry White. former Am
bassador to France, the commanding officer
of this Division has established headquar-
tiers at No. 932 18th street, N w.. Wash
ineton city He is assisted in his work by
eight lieutenants, or to give them their
real title. Directors of Bureaus. while each
chapter. branch and auxiliary has its own
immediate officers The headquarters aides
are David II. Brown, in charge Of the De-
velopment Bureau; J. II. Purdy, Bureau of
Publicity: Mrs. Frank M. Chapman. Bureau
Of Womans Work, Miss Georgia Nevins,
Bureau of Nursing: DR.. j. W. Magruder.
Bureau OF Civilian Relief; Admiral Rich
ard Wainwright, Bureau Of Supplies -.
Bureau of Military Relief; and Paul Quatt-
lander. Bureau OF Accounting.
II believe" said Mr.. White. that the
people Of the Potomac Division soon will
make II known as one Of the greatest d.
visions of the National Organization. To
say that every man and woman. boy and
girl, can find work that will be Of great
actual help, sounds like an exaggeratiOn,
but it is not each individual in the divis
ion can be of tremendous help. and | hope
and believe each one will"
Already 79 chapters have been organ
lied in Virginia, 43 in West Virginia. q
in Maryland and one in the District Of
Columbia. with. in all. 1873 auxiliaries Of
chapters. 262 branches and 35 organiza-
lions for civilian relief.
More chapters and auxiliaries will be
formed as recruits enlist In the work, and
soon no home in this division will be too
remotely situated to be in close touch with
some one OF the branches. The first thought
Of our people naturally will be Of their own
men, Of whom $4,000 already have been
drafted from the area Of the Potomac Di-
vision for service In the National Army.
Besides this. on the shoulders Of the Poto-
mac Division falls largely the care and
comfort of 100000 soldiers. sailors ma
rines engineers and other men in their
country's service. who are now in ca mps,
cantonments or naval basis in the small
area Of this division.
To provide for the actual needs Of our
own men and their families and to ease
the hardships Of the men in the divisions.
camps and environments, is now to be the
responsibility Of the Potomac Division.
1t is Mr.. Whites desire, a desbe shared
by all his assistants, that any member Of
the Potomac Division Of the Red Cross
coming to Washington shall feel that at
this headquarters he or she will always be
heartily welcome. shall know It as q place
where the officers will be glad to take up
cases Of relief when asked odo so. TO give
information on any subject pertaining to
our great work. to look up addresses or
conditions Of friends. to send documents
or literature--in short. to make themselves
generally useful in connection with Red
Cross activities.