The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-17
Chairman Lathrop, In In
teresting Circular To
Citizens Points to Duty
UNIQUE STATEMENT
OF r. G. ACTIVITIES
As War Time Organization,
Its Support Essential to
Soldiers Well Being

it work. What is my duty towards
These three questions have been
answered in a most convincing man
ner by n. A. Lathrop, chairman OF
the Steele county chapter of the
American Red Cross, in a circular
that he has issued to the people Of
his county.
Mr.. Lathrop sets forth the theory
OF Red Cross work in at most apt
manner, and in stating the respon-
sibiIity of each Individual to aid In
its support, he declares that such
aid should not only be considered
duty, but a privilege as well.
What The Red Cross IL.
1T is an organization to help sur
fering humanity wherever and when
ever. the need arises" says Mr..
Lathrop. ANY person who believes
in feeding the hungry, healing the
sick, or, caring for the wounded and
dying, ought to believe in. and,
ought to help in Red Cross work. for,
ii is nothing less than applied
Christianity. In war time 1t is the
only official agency of the govern
ment for taking care OF the sick and
wounded soldiers: President Wilson
is its Official head; the treasury de-
partment handles the funds: the
war department audits its accounts.
1t is q criminal offense to use the
Red Cross name or emblem for other
than rightful purposes. to sell any Of
the goods or misapply any Of the
funds. Every persons money and
work Is amply protected by law. 1t
isn't q question of whether we are
pacifsts or believers in war, native
or foreign born. rich or poor, pro-this
nor pro-that, it is simply question
of whether we want our boys minis
tered to when sick or wounded and
want the Red Cross nurses and doc
tors to have the necessary supplies.
If we fail to do our rightful part and
there is failure anywhere along the
line, to that extent we are respon-
EibIe for such failure.
How IL Works.
THE national headquarters are at
Washington, D. g. The country is
divided into districts (this state be-
ing In the Minneapolis division.)
Then the state organization, next the
county unit called the chapter"
and, under 1t the local societies term
ed branches" The funds are pro-
vided through membership fees and
through gifts of individuals and or
CARNATIONS, in one sum or at stated
periods, frequently by monthly pay
ments, a very desirable method. 1t
is to be hoped that the ladies OF no
branch in Steele county may be OBJ
liged TO waste their time and energy
in giving pink teas, oyster suppers,
etc, TO raise the necessary funds to
carry on the work. Each branch
should have a finance committee
composed Of men of ability who will
take over this responsibility, and see
that ample funds are in the treasury
at all times.
Our Duty to Help, .
Briefly stated, the duty (and 1t
ought to be considered the privilege)
of every person in Steele county, is
to JOIN, to WORK and to PAY.
There ought to be money so that
every branch can furnish all the
supplies called for, and there will be
calls and calls. again and again, for.
I'm addition to our soldier boys, mil
lions Of people are in dire distress.
with none to minister unless, the
United States comes to the rescue.
Now as to membership: Every
person in the county years old
or over, ought to be enrolled; those
younger than are gladly re-
ceived and 1t will do them good,
they can find place in the junior
work. There has been a splendid
response up to this time. It should
not be necessary to 'conscript' any
one but rather all should enlist OF
course, we realize that with war
taxes, Red Cross work. Y. M. G. A.
work, Liberty bonds. etc, IL means
many calls upon US both In time and
money, but when we compare our
sacrifices with those OF the men who
are leaving all, and Offering all, that
government Of the people, by the
people. and for the people shall not
perish from the EARTH are we do
ing very much7
There are six classes Of member
ship, as follows:
Annual membership. 800 per
year.
subscribing membership. $500
per year.
Contributing membership. $500
per year.
Sustaining membership $1,000
per year.
Life membership. $500 per year.
The larger part OF the funds from
the more expensive memberships
must 90 to Washington headquar-
tiers for national work. We find most
people prefer to have the funds re-
main in their local branch treasury,
SO we suggest that each family take
one subscribing membership Gas
that includes the Red Cross maya
zine which should be In every home)
and the rest Of the family take an
nual memberships at 81 each. Any
additional money can then be paid
the branch treasurers in the form Of
q donation
The canard with respect to the
American Red Cross supplies being
sold to soldiers, or being sold to
lumberjacks. or to others, Is believed
70 have been effectively answered BY
the arrest in an eastern supply depot
Of the Red Cross OF q German agent
who has been engaged in furnish
Ing German aides with the names Of
women workers as they came to him
pinned 70 articles that had been
given to the Red Cross.
The nation wide propaganda
against the Red Cross work has un-
.doubtedly done great harm in many
communities, and the North Dakota
Red Cross ofacials have repeatedly
been called upon 70 take action IN
connection with the circulation OF
libelouE statements relative to the
society'a work.
The most favorite story used by
German agents has been that the
articles made for the Red Cross by
women were sold. This was given
color through the work Of the Ger
man agent who has been arrested.
lie would search articles for pinned
notes, and these were turned over to
other people, In a few days. Miss
Smith, In Chicago, or Moorhead, or
Bismarck Or wherever she might be.
would receive q note. saying that
the garment had been sold TO the
writer. Thls campaign Of misrep-
reaeutation Of the bed Cross was
deliberately undertaken Fed Cross