The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-23
Meeting Miss Mabel Boardman and Mrs Josephus
 Them Is An Inspiration Says Mrs. J A. Rountree |
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

00 7 ITH the end of this week the | NAV big drive"-in other words, the
 Red Cross campaign in the | United States to raise $10O,O0O0G0 for war relief, comes to a. close. "The big drive" for humanitaranism; the big drive of those who are trying to help alleviate | the suffering of the soldiers and their 1 dependents and who by their kindness and their mercy are trying to take away | something of the grimness of the red | hand of war and the scourge of actual battle.
 l A word from headquarters" is not amiss today, as we stand on the eve | of the third and last call' for "the big drive" of the Red Cross, the last day, as it were. for us to do our bit' for our country and our boys.
 The word is from one of Birming- hams splendid Red Cross workers, Mrs. J. A. Rountree who almost since the beginning of Red Cross work in Bir- mingham has fought valiantly for the cause and by her splendid, capable serv- ices has been vital factor in the suc- | cess of the work.
 Mrs. Rountree, who is secretary of the Birmingham chapter, has just returned from Washington, where she has been in close contact with the powers that be'-the people who are at the head of the Red Cross work in America.
 ITO be in Washington" Mrs. Rountree said yesterday, "at this time is won- derful inspiration to patriotic work of all kinds; it is like being in the midst of war itself-it is so tense, so vivid, so vital. There is so much preparedness going on everywhere, and particularly>ln Red Cross circles, that it fairly gets into the blood and drives you on to do your level best in every way you possibly can."
 T stayed over in Washington several days after the rush of the reunion ended, so as to talk over with Red Cross offi- cials many matters of special concern to the work in Alabama" Mrs. Rountree continued q have always been vitally interested in this work and have kept thoroughly posted about all branches or the service, but it means great deal 10 meet, personally, the directors with whom one has been in constant corre- spondence for many years. It brings about an even better understanding and creates a little personal interest that al ways adds to the zest of ones work Our Red Cross directors in Washington are the most approachable people 1 ever met They are so thoroughly human in such big, broad way, doing their great work for humanity with hearts as well as brains. One sees little of the red tape so much talked about, and so much dreaded in all government service. It is there, of course, bolts and bolts of it. being used all the time, in just the way 1t is intended to be used, for red tape only means carefully prepared, well de- fined system of action, whereby work can be done correctly, and with rapid manipulation, thereby saving vast amount of time, labor and expense.
 "It is very impressive, and there is something quite awe inspiring about seeking to enter the carefully guarded offices, but when one gets past all the enouiring doorkeepers and rope holders, everything is very simple and easy, said Mrs. Rountree Tt is only the little fellow who tries to impress you with his bigness. It was quite astonishing how easy it was to open the big doors with the little scribble, Secretary of the Birmingham Red Cross chapter, across my personal card. I went by appoint ment, usually, but sometimes l just dropped in, and always, everywhere,