Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-30

namely, red cross on a white ground
The Red Cross was chosen out of COM
pllment to the Swiss republic, the
SWISS colors being white cross on a
red ground, the badge chosen was these
cOlorS reversed
Ihe original purpose of the organiza-
ton OF Red Cross societies was to sup
plement the medical services of armies
In times of war. The great need, how
ever of thoroughly trained and eff
Gent organization, national in scope and
permanent in character, to render as
slstance after great disasters has be-
come so manifest that many of these
societles have extended their functions
10 include relief operations in times of
peace, and in no country has this phase
or the work been SO Systematically de-
reloped and performed and perfected as
in the United States.
The permanent establishment OF Red
cross societies in practically all of the
civilized countries of the world dated
from the international convention held
IN Geneva in 1864. According to the
terms of this treaty, to which the ma
lions who had sent delegates subse-
quenty subscribed, all hospitals and
hospital officials and certain volunteer
organizations engaged in attending the
SICK and wounded in war are regarded
and treated as neutrals. To distinguish
the membrs of these volunteer organi-
cations. the Red Cross badge was adopt
ed. Hence the name of the internation-
al organization which grew out of this
movement-the Red Cross societies.
1t was largely through the efforts of
Clara Barton, the noble woman whose
heroic and unselfish services to the sick
and wounded during the civil war had
given her even more than national lame
that the American branch of The Red
Cross was first Incorporated under the
laws of the District of Columbia in 1881
and later became a national institution.
In 1882, through the advice and efforts
of James G. Blaine. the United States
government, by an act of Congress-. Off
clally Joined the other nations in adj
herence to the Geneva convention. and
upon the organization of the national
society Miss Barton, at the instance of
President Garfield. was made itsffrst
president.
Purpose of the Red Cross
Inc Red Cross was incorporated in
1898. it's purposes being declared to be
to the relief of suffering due to war.
pestilence, famine. food, fires and other
calamities of sufficient magnitude to be
deemed national in extent and Miss
Barton remained president until 1904.
The period of probation of the Am
erican Red Cross had passed. Its value
as an agency for the ameloration of
suffering its successful work of mer-
cy during this experimental stage of it's
existence had fully demonstrated. In
order to meet the constantly growing
demands, more thorough organization
and still greater expansion was neces.
sary. Recognizing this fact the United
States Congress, by the act approved
January ). 1905. incorporated the AM
erlcan National Red Cross and placed
1t under government supervision. declar-
ing its purposes, in addition to it's du-
ties in time of4war to be: ITO continue
and carry on a system of national and
international relief in time of peace and
apply the same in initiating the SILL
ferings caused by pestilence famine.
fire, floods and other great national
calamities. and to devise and carry on
measures for preventing the same"
The Red Cross Organization
It's officers are a president, vice presi-
dent, national director, secretary, coun-
selor and treasurer. The act of incor-
poration provides that THE governing
body OF the said American Red Cross
shall consist in the first instance, of a
central committee numbering IS per-
sons The law also provides that the
chairman and five members of the CEN
trail committee shall be appointed an
nually by the President of the United
States. the five members appointed by
the President to represent the DEPART
ments OF state, war, navy, treasury and
justice Six members are elected by the
board of incorporators and six by the
delegates to the annual meeting
The central committee is empowered
by law to elect from it's own members
an executive committee of seven, to
which is given all power of the GEN.
trail committee when the latter is not in
session.
The bylaws provide for three relief
boards-namely, the war relief board.
the national relief board, and the in
ternational relief hoard. To each of
these boards have been assigned spe-
clal duties in connection with its par
ticular department Of relief operations.
The frst-aid department and the
nursing service are under the direction
or two committees appointed by the
war relief board. The first-aid commit
tee is engaged in promoting first-aid
instruction among the employees of
mining companies. railroads, industri-
al establishments, and the public at
large; the committee on nursing SER
vice is engaged in the organization of
large corps Of the best trained nurses
of the country for service under the
Red Cross in time Of war or disaster.
The organization. being under the
supervision of the United States gov
eminent. is required by law to make
an annual report Of it's proceedings
and to render an accounting Of its re-
ceipts and disbursements to the sec
rotary of war. These reports are trans
mitt"d to Congress and subsequently
published as public documents.
As a means OF promoting the eff
cheney of the American Red Cross and
of having it prepared for emergencies,
an endowment fund has been created.
This endowment fund provides an in
come which defrays in part the ex-
penses Of continuous educational
campaign in first aid and nursing
work: keeps up a reserve organization
Of high-grade trained nurses; helps
meet numerous minor relief appeals,
"a