Tombstone epitaph., 1917-12-23
SlsM THE RED CROSS NEEDS E ISSSs$v1.>5/T TEN MIL LION NEW
 s Ia.*> MEMBERS TOfELP AgIl gIl6SkSIJFFERING HUMANITY

That is why the Red Cross wants | lI.pD.u4D members. It Is not so much the S2 or the Sl0 or the S2J or the Slur or the Sl fee that membership
 costs. though that has Its importance, it would be even more necessary If membership did not cost a cent. But In this case the fec is a small consid-
 cration. What is needed is an army of 15.Oso on true-hearted Americans who will stand back of the army and
 navy. and supply them with everything
 they need 10 keep them well and
 oheery. and to give them every chance
 for life If they get sick or are hurt.
 Confidence in his backing is mighty
 factor in q fellows spunk when he Is
 fighting 3.5oo miles from the home he
 Is defending.
 Now q word about the different
 kinds of membership: A patron mem
 Der pays SlOo in one sum, and the in
 terest on that money accrues to the
 Red Cross every year. A life member pays S2J in one sum, and the interest Suftices to keep his membership alive
 So long as he lives. But the most
 stress i> not to be laid on these forms in this campaign because. as I have said, money is not the chief object. Everyone who can possibly afford ir ought to be what Is called "Maga- zine Member" It costs g. each year, but 1t brings with It the Red Cross Magazine. published every month with a wealth of pictures of Red Cross work. and inspiring articles telling what the Red Cross is doing all around the world
 For those who cannot spare g. the annual membership costs but Sl. and one who has this membership Is just as much Red Cross member as any one. the only difference being that he does not get the magazine. The great "fort will be 10 enroll the S1 and S2 people. for it is numbers and not mon ey at this time that the Red Cross wants,
 When the membership has climbed 10 the lJ,OcC.OOO mark, then will come the call for members to help turn out supplies. There is no compulsion- nobody has to pledge himself to give any money except his dues, nor to give service nor anything. But of course you will want 10 help. and you will have world of opportunity. Whether you can knit. or sew, or roll handages, or run errands for those who can do those things. or give mon ey 10 help them buy supplies of yarn and muslin and gauge, you can help. It will be your part 10 do the biggest thin. you can tO back up the fighting boys over there.
 The first thing Is to become Red Cross member. Take somebody in with you If you possibly can. Help the membership team that comes to you for your name and your dollar or two dollars. Remember, 1t Is not, in the final analysis. the Red Cross you are helping at all-it Is the boys who are over there fighting for you. Nobody concerned with the Red Cross ever gets penny out of anything given for relief, or from any garment made and entrusted to It. Every penny and every stitch goes to some American soldier or some destitute one whom the Red Cross Is trying to keep alive.
 You will hear-if you have not d. ready heard-a dozen stories about graft in the Red Cross. They are lies. everyone of them. They were started and have been peddled ever since by cossips, some malicious. some merely chatterers with no sense of responsibility, who would in the same spirit repeat islander about good woman.
 You have heard, or will hear, that the high officers of the Red Cross get most of the money given it for relief Exactly the reverse Is true Every member of the war council, every head of every Red Cross bureau In Washing ton, every head of every bureau in everyone of the thirteen divisions of the Red Cross in the United States, Is giving his time free. and is spending money of his own while he does the work.
 In recent public speech on thlS subject, Henry F. DaviSon, chairman of the Red Cross war council. de rlared that of every dollar given the Red Cross for relief, about Sl.02 iS ,pent for relief Not only are The ex- penses met from funds provided for hat purpose. but the money contributed iraws interest while in bank, and the interest also Is applied to relief work.
 The Red Cross Is led by the biggest md brainiest and most unselfish men he nation could find. Trust them.
 They are doing the very best that ,ralns and money and determination an do to prevent human suffering. and O take care of Pershing's boys. Help hem. Your own may be there soon.