Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-08-07
The RED CROSS
AND ITS WORK
Mistaken Opinion TN Some Com
munities As to the Manner the
Red Cross Chapter is Con-
Quoted
RED CROSS WORKERS
UNDER GOVERNMENT ORDERS
The President of the Red Cross Is
Woodro Wilson, President of
the United n ates and the
National Headquarters
in Washington

There is a mistaken opinion in this
community and it doubtless exists
all over the country, as to the man
ner in which the work of the local
Red Gross Chapter is conducted.
People seem to feel that each chap
ter is purely local affair, making
its own rules, laying down laws and
managing or mismanaging affairs as
the officers and leaders may desire.
The American Red Gross is
National organization, working hand
in hand with the U. S. government
and receiving its orders directly
from the government. The Presi-
dent of the Anne ,ican Red Cross is
Woodro Wilson, President of the
United States. The National Red
Cross Headquarters are in Washing
ton, ID. c., and all important orders
are issued there. For convenience
the different states are arranged in
groups or divisions. Iowa is part of
the Central Division with headquar-
ters in Chicago, and Iowa's orders
come from there, tho the Division
has previously received their instruc-
tions from Washington.
Red Cross workers are thus I'M
der government orders, and like
good soldiers must obey, to the best
of their ability. The Red Cross has
twenty million members. Suppose
every worker among that number,
should make garments, surgical dres-
sings or knitted articles according to
her own ideas, what would be the re-
suit? With so many workers there
must be most definite rules, and
standards to work to. Since Ameri-
cas- entrance into the war the Red
Cross, like the government has had
to learn efficiency in its manner of
handling its workers, materials and
supplies. At first there were few
rules, consequently much valuable
time and materials were wasted.
Socks not big enough for an eight
year old child and sweaters large
enough for the fat man in a circus
side show were accepted by many
local chapters rather than offend a
worker. That day is past. Orders
for certain number of articles
come from Division Headquarters
with statement of the amount of
material required for these articles.
The material is then ordered from
the Division Supply House by the
local purchasing committee. Chair
men Of the various departments are
sent printed instructions as to ex-
actly how each article must be
made, the size when completed, etc.
If word is received to knit socks,
that means socks are wanted not
sweaters. A soldier doesn't tell his
officer, what he prefers or prefers
not to do, neither does the loyal
Red Cross worker, choose what she
shall or shall not do. but do what is
most needed. The chairman of the
departments have no easy task
they must accept heavy response
bility, give hours of their time daily,
be responsible for the materials
given out, and articles returned and
sometimes receive criticisms because
they are endeavoring to carry on the
orders given them, But their re-
ward is great. the privilege of doing
not their Bit but their best for
their country at time when the
need is great and when many are
giving their best-even their lives.
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