Norwich bulletin., 1917-10-23
RED cRoss. DOES
 NOT SELL ARTICLE.
F. J. Leavens Says Any Such Re- ports Arc AbseIutsIy Without Foun dation.

ports Arc AbseIutsiy Without Foun-
 dation.
 Reports which have been circulated ir this city and elsewhere to the eff
 feet that knitted articles made by Red Cross workers or donated to, the Red Cross are being sold to soldiers and even civilians were characterized Monday by Francis J. Leavens, chair man of the Norwich Chapter. as part public confidence in the Red Cross ard thereby seriously hamper the work of caring for our soldiers and sailors. .-
 The rumors were started simulta- neously in many localities, said MT. Leavens, and were related with such spacious detail that many persons ac- cepted them as true. Investigations
 were started by the Red Cross with the result that the stories were found to have not the slightest foundation. There was every reason to believe that these stories were circulated malic- iously, Mir. Leavens continued, the fact that they originated at the same time in so many localities. making them appear part of a propaganda to injure the Red Cross. Supposed let ters from American soldiers in France to their mothers were cited in support of the stories that knitted goods had been purchased by the men either di- rect from the Red Cross or through dealers, Mir. Leavens said.
 One very popular report told now one woman accosted another cn the streets, recognized a sweater the late ter was wearing as one she had made for her boy in France, and ripping open one oe the sleeves pulled out a small piece of cloth inscribed by the makers name This story has been told all over the state with many var iations.
 "Doubtless every one by this time has heard the taIe of the woman who knitted a sweater for the Red Cross. placed her name in the pocket: and few days later received word from department store that her sweater had been purchased with a number of others from a manufacturer" said MT. Leavens.
 ''She is a curious person. this lady of the sweater. Never by any chance has she a name. and the speed at which she travels about is really re- markable. One day we hear of her in Houston, Texas. the next day she as as being in Troy. oneonta- Lowevilie Waverly Norwich, and Utica. As she moved from place to place her handi- work increased from one sweater to half a dozen pairs % Of socks. .an ..o. (, friend of mine.' but when one politely inquires the name of the friend there is always the reply: Well, she is net really a friend of mine, mine but one of
 
 "One hates to spoil perfectly good story, but truth. will out. The Red Cross sweaters have no pockets. This disposes once for all of the lady of is quite evident by the number of letters and telegrarns re- ceived daily at Red Cross headquar- ters.
 While these stories may be repeat ed more as idle gossip than with any malicious intent, nevertheless each person who passes it along uncon- sciously displays an unfriendly spirit to an organization that is doing ev- erything in it's power to contribute to the welfare and comfort of men serving in the army and navy.
 "The organization of the Red Cross supply service Is so planned that in- p1dents of this nature are absolutely 
 "The Red Cross is divided into di- visions and subdivided into chapters and branches. Each chapter has jur- over the branches within it's boundaries, and is responsible to the division headquarters. When supplies are needed an allotment is given by headquarters to a chapter. The chap ter then calls fer certain number of articles from each branch. When in to the Chapter, which. upon orders direct from headquarters, either ships them abroad or sends them to the di- vision supply service for distribution through the military relief department.
 At every camp and cantonment there is a Red Cross representative who determines the need for supplies | make ! acquisitions to headquarters, and distributes supplies as they are l received.
 Local chapters may give knitted articles to men leaving for camp, but | ,nly on written requisition from the ! officer of the troop. This l method of distribution makes incl | Tents like. those reported quite i'm | possible. and any woman who sends | II sweaters. wristlets, or socks mer' 1 tome man in the nation service, and | hat he wills not pay for them. The | Red Cross gives: it does not sell"