The Washington times., 1918-12-21
CAPITAL BEHIND
|NRED CROSSD DRIVE

New York has more than pledged
her quota In the Red Cross roll call.
and the campaign Is still proceeding
with unbounded enthusiasm. Phila-
delphia is going strong. Baltimore
Is doing fine. Richmond is right up
in front.
Washington. 50 far, ehowever. has
mustered but a scant $4,000 members
OF the He'd Cross for 1919.
Officials OF the roll call drive for
new members here are at a loss to
explain the apathy which exists in
the National capital. and are making
appeals to the pride and patriotism
OF every citizen not only to enroll
voluntarily, b0t to volunteer his SER
vices as a solicitor on the street for
new members.
The officials admit frankly that to
date the drive for renewed member
ship In the Red Cross here is a fall
ure. But from now until midnigh;
Monday Herculean efforts will be
made to redeem the reputation which
Washington has won in all previous
war work, and IL Is in this emergency
that every individual who can. Is be-
ing appealed to to help.
Those who will voluntarily enroll
as members may do 80 at any of the
hundreds OF booths in hotels, stores
and theaters.
Those who will volunteer their SER
vices as solicitors should apply at
once at 141S II street northwest for
credentials.
The drive will continue right on
through Sunday.
The Washington Barracks Band
volunteered its services today, and
rode through the streets on a big
truck, playing national airs to arouse
enthusiasm in the Roll Call.
Must Renew Membership.
Four-minute men spoke at after
noon performances in the thoatsrs,
and will address the audiences again
this evening.
The French High Commission has
loaned the services of Lieut.. Fred
erick Knobel as a speaker In behalf
OF the Red Cross. Lieutenant Knobel,
a wearer of the Crolx de Guerre. was
wounded and sent to a hospital as a
hopeless case" His story OF how the
Red Cross saved his life Is proof suf-
fcient OF the services OF that or
ganization.
1t is desired that 1t be made clear
In the minds OF the public that the
fact that one has been a member
OF the Red Cross during the year now
coming to q close is not sufficient.
The present campaign Is for mem
bers for the year 1919. 1t is not
enough that one may be able TO say:
II have given" he must be able TO
say, II VIII give for the coming
year."
Old subscriptions expire December
81, and persons now members of the
Red Cross can no longer claim MEM
bership unless their memberships are
renewed
'Tt Is incredible to me-" said Chair
man Frank Hogan today, "that the
people of Washington, who have
made such q magnificent record for
patriotism and generosity to the ma
tion's soldiers and sailors will be
yelling to have the name migrate
written across their fair record. am,
indeed, disappointed at the results of
the house-to-house Canvass but there
is yet time to make a creditabIe
showing. The roll call will not end
until Monday night, and. IL every man
and woman who has grasped the i'm
portance OF sustaining the Red Cross,
and who has already enrolled, will
procure two more members, or induce |
two existing members to pay their |
dues for another year, Washington !
will have nothing to be ashamed of.
II appeal to my fellow citizens of
Washington to put their shoulders to |
the wheel OF the Red Cross chariot |
and by united effort TO push 1t over |
the top; to show by coming forward |
voluntarily themselves an enrolling |
that in the midst OF their Christmas |
festivities they are not unmindful OF
the American boys who are still at
the front, who lie wounded in foreign |
hospitals, who are convalescipg in
foreign villages, whose, convalescence |
can be hastened and whose return to