The Washington herald., 1917-06-19
CITIZENS RALLY
FOR RED CROSS
Generous Response Given
on First Day of Big
Campaign.

The Red Cross campaign to raise
Washington's share, $4,000, of she
minimum S1OO,OOO,OOO asked of the
United States for humanita rian activi-
ties at home and abroad, was opened
here yesterday. The weeks drive be-
gan with a huge public rally, held in
Keith's Theater at noon yesterday.
| Although complete returns of the
| first days contributions were not avail
able, indications at Red Cross head
quarters were that the returns were
extremely generous. At the opening
Of the public meeting yesterday,
Chairman MacfaTland, Of the finance
committee. announced that the fund
started with S2G6, ,0l1.T4, which had been
subscribed since April l.
The reasons for giving to the war
service fund were foRcibly stated by
Surg. Gen. Gorgas, speaking of the
needs of the army; Surg. Gen. Brais-
the navy was read by the acting sur
geon general, Surg. r. c. Holcomb,
as Gen. Braisted had been unexpect-
edly called out of town on official
business, and by Miss Mabel 7. Board
man.
Surg. Gen. Gorgas, speaking Of the
Red Cross as the official agency Of the
/ government for auxiliary service in
| time Of war, outlined what ii was eX-
pected to do to supplement the work
Of the medical department of the
army. He spoke of its care for the
| sick and wounded at home and
abroad; of its heroic surgeons and
nurses, often serving under fire; of
its base hospitals, field hospitals. am
bulance corps, hospital apparatus, in
struments, and supplies and hospital
clothing and comforts, illustrating
from his experience in the Spanish
American war.
Parade Preeedes Meeting.
Mrs. Newton D. Baker, wife of the
Secretary of War, sang at the open
| ing The Marseillaise," and at the
close The Star Spangled Banner" ]"
On the stage were Mrs. Marshall,
Champ Clark, wife of the Speaker;
Mrs. Daniels, wife of the Secretary
Of the Navy; Mrs. Scott, wife of Gen.
Hugh L. Scott, Chief-of-Staff, U. s.
| army.
Representatives of all the women's
ORGANIZATIONS Of the District Of CO.
lumbia chapter. Red Cross. were
present. The women of the automo-
bile corps, Mrs. ]. Borden Hartman.
chairman, who have given the use
OF their automobiles for the war. led
by Miss Alice B. Shepard, a captain
OF one OF the companies, paraded in
their cars before the meeting, togeth-
er with the women's refreshment
corps, organized by Mrs. Larz Ander-
son. Gen. Barnett, commandant Of
the Marine Corps. sent Marine Band
buglers, who preceded the parade in
Red Cross motor ambulance.
Surg. Gen. W. c. Braisted, u. s.
navy addressing the meeting, said in
ut Is with particular pleasure that
l express my deep appreciation of the
patriotic and beneficent work which
the American Red Cross is conduct
ing successfully. We have watched
with the deepest interest the amazing
growth Of this association. But above
and beyond all that, we share with
all good citizens in the feeling OF
pride evoked by, this spontaneous re-
sponse to the call Of humanity; that
this band Of volunteer workers, ami
mated by the highest and most dis
interested motives, should in the hour
Of need suddenly expand twenty-fold
must be matter OF deep significance
to those who would accuse this ma
ton Of undue commercialism.
In the organization Of base hos
pitals, with complete equipment and
trained personnel. the Red Cross has
been singulariy successful. mot only
are. our own needs in this country
fully provided for in this respect, but
you viii share my gratification when
tell you that we are now able to
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.