The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-14
PLANS ARE PUSHED FOR SUCCESS OF B|G RED CROSS MEETING State Convention Here to Teach Real Significance
 of Work AIM IS TO ORGANIZE
 STATE FOR SERVICE Speakers Will Tell How the Indi- vidual Can Help Carry on
 Vast Work of the Cause

Alabama is getting ready for what is declared to be one of the biggest patri- otic events which has been pulled off in this country since the United States got into the world-war This will be the state Red Cross convention, which will be held in Birmingham on November l6 and F, and which will arouse tremen- dous interest in this service it Is be- lieved, not alone in Alabama, but throughout every other part of the nation. Although the convention idea was an- nounced only one week ago, the plans to make this gathering a success have gath cred momentum throughout the state in the short seven days
 The primary purpose of the Alabama state convention of the American Red Cross is misunderstanding the men and women of the state how efficiently to do their part in the work which that huge society is carrying on today.
 This work Is so vast that in world crisis 1t absorbs all other charities, stands for every other sort of social service ever performed before.
 Coming to. life at later period than most of the important similar national organizations in the world the American Red Cross has quickly dominated the field-rat peace or in war.
 PEACE-TIME SERVICE
 It has followed it's career of eace-time service-a service written into the his- tory of 75 or more great world disasters, such significant events as the Filipino typhoons, the San Francisco earthquake, the Cherry Valley mine fire, the Luzon volcano the Triangle waist factory fire in New York. the lower Alabama tornado flood and many others-by an unparal- leled record in the alleviation of misery, suffering and unnecessary death in the first period of the European war.
 In France the American Red Cross Is establishing and maintaining hospitals, canteens, rest houses and recreation places for soldiers, guarding against the spread of tuberculosis caring for and ed ucating destitute children, rehabilitating mutilated and disabled soldiers, helping rebuild recovered devastated territory in relief to prisoners of war held by the enemy. and doing thousand and one other things for the relief of the stricken populace.
 The American Red Cross has sent a commission to help Russia solve her questions affecting the public health, business and social conditions. The lack of food and clothing-the most serious problem this winer in that vast country will be partly relieved, 1t Is hoped. L Al.e -o,to 1ad
 FIGHTING TYPHUS
 The work of the society in fighting ty- phus in Servia and saving the civilian population from famine is among the splendid deeds of the century. In Ar menia similar work has been carried on, though hampered by the Turkish gov ernment In Roumania. Italy and even in England. the American Red Cross has been called upon for assistance.
 All over America men must organize. lead, encourage and support Red Cross chapters. All over America women must carry on the great work entrusted to those chapters. If all of these things are not done
 American soldiers and the soldiers or the allies who are helping fight our fight may be cold this winter 1t is de- clared. and perhaps next winter-may die unnecessary deaths from exposure may contract that dread scourge Of the trenches, tuberculosis. fate worse than . bullet-because Uncle Sam can't possibly knit all the sweaters he Is relying upon women of America to knit.
 And American soldiers and the soi- diers of our allies may suffer for the lack of surgical dressings-there have been times in the past months when the soldiers of our allies were forced to re- sort to sawdust and bits of torn news paper to staunch their flowing wounds
 And then, lest there be a lowering Of the standards of living among the fam ilies of the men gone to war. the Amer ican Red Cross has been charged by un- cle Sam with the duty of keeping an eye on all military dependents in this country.
 How the individual can help carry on all of this great work is what the Ala bama state convention of the American Red Cross is intended to teach. 1t will be taught by the specialists from Wash ington and New Orleans-the various heads of each systemwho will feature the convention programme Leigh Car roll. manager of sbs gulf division. with