Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-12
Augusta Has
Local Chapter
Natl Red Cross

A local chapter Of the American Ma
tional Red Cross was organized at a
largely attended meeting of prominent
people of this city held Wednesday
evening at the Penney Memorial church
under the auspices Of the koussinoc
Chapter. D. A. r. Those present had
the pleasure of listening to a lecture
upon the Red Cross given by Charles
R. Nutter Of Boston. associate director
of the Northeastern division of the
American Red Cross Society. which
comprises all of New England with the
exception of Connecticut. Mayor Willis
E. Swift presided over the meeting and
introduced the speaker.
The following officers of the Augusta
Chapter were elected: Chairman. Lew
is A. Burleigh; vice chairman, II. l..
Sherburne; treasurer, HI. l.. Pishon;
secretary, Mrs. Blaine S. Viles; execu-
tive committee-Dr. w. H. Harris.
chairman of educational committee;
Norman l.. Bassett. chairman of finance
committee: Miss Helen G. Child chair
man Of surgical dressings committee;
Mrs. George e. Macomber, chairman of
publicity committee These officers had
been nominated by a committee COM
posed of Walter S. Wyman. Miss Rosa
mond Conner and Mrs. Richard Toas.
In opening his talk Mr.. Nutter stated
that, as probably most people know, the
president of the American Red Cross
Society is the President of the United
States. During the lecture he stated
that the Red Cross was not-as some
people had an idea-a woman's organ
ization. but that 1t was for both men
and women and some of its work could
be carried on only by men. And he
said that the Red Cross was not mere
ly nurses organization.
Mr.. Nutter pointed out that a per-
son in joining the Red Cross is not OBJ
ligated to any service, many people hav-
ing had the impression that all men,
bers of the Red Cross were obliged
to serve in case of war. He showed
that contrary to the view which most
people hold that the dues of the Red
Cross go to the countries at war, the
Red Cross in America helps nobody
outside of this country. although the
society will receive and send goods
and money designated for certain places.
And the speaker brought out the point
that the Red Cross is as much an al
fair in times of peace as in times Of
war for il is SO organized that in times
OF disasters such as foods and earth
quakes it can give relief This was
proven when the Eastland sank at Chi
cago and at the time of the San Fran
cisco earthquake.
The speaker said that from 1905 to 1915
the Red Cross received and distributed
slooo'0o in this country. 1t organizes
hospitals equipped by the civilians to
serve in war time, at which time the only
other medical attendance is given by the
government in the emergency relief at the
front. So if it were not for the hospitals
equipped by the civilians there would be
only the emergency relief at the front.
The fact was brought out that Japan
has Red Cross membership of nearly
100000 with a population of 100000:
Germany has a membership of 1,5oo,OO0
with a population of 81, 10000; the United
States with a population of 1oO,c00,oOO has
A membership of only about $4,000
Regarding the work of the Red Cross
he said that among other things it gives
instruction in first aid. in home nursing.
IN dietetics and in making surgical dress
ngs. In the past year over 3o,o00, 900 Red
Cross dressings have been sent 10 the
at war. The speaker stated
that the Red Cross is the only volunteer
relief association authorized by the gov
ernment to work in time of war, and in
war time other clubs doing relief work
would have to become a part of the Red
Cross.
In connection with the forming Of the
local chapter of the Red Cross it is ia
teresting to learn that Misses Mabel and
Rosamond Conner of this city with the
help of friends have been working since
March to secure members for the Red
Cross Society and now have on hand s79
20 turn over to the treasurer Of the new
chapter.
The newly formed chapter desires to ex-
press its thanks for the use of the Pen
1ey Memorial church for the meeting.