The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-19
RED CROSS NOT
PART OF STATE
DEFENSE BODY,
OFFICERS SAY
Organizations Are Entire
ly Separate, Chapter Of
ficers State

The North Dakota chapter Of the
American Red Cross and the state
council of defense are separate or
CARNATIONS, and one has no aUthCri-
ty over the other in any way, shape
or manner, according to a circular
issued today to North Dakota Red
Cross chapters and branches by
Judge N. c. Young, state director,
and Harry Curran Wilbur, executive
secretary.
The circular adds that there has
been some confusion and consequent
interruption of Red Cross work be-
cause of such misunderstanding and
calls attention to the fact that the
Fed Cross is under federal, not state
control
The circular follows:
To All North Dakota Chapters and
Branches:
Some confusion and consequent
interruption of Red Cross work has
occurred in some Of the chapters and
branches in the western part Of the
state because of a misunderstanding
as to the respective authority and
functions Of the state council Of de-
Tense and the American Red Cross.
It has been suggested at some points
that the state council of defense has
general supervision over Red Cross
work, and that no action should be
taken by branches or chapters in
reference thereto until authority
therefor shall have been received
from the state council of defense or
it's representative. This is a mis-
take, and it has arisen from mis-
understanding as to the respective
spheres occupied by these two or
CARNATIONS.
The American Red Cross and the
state council Of defense are separate
bodies, of separate origin and have
separate fields of activity. The gov
erning officers Of the Red Cross have
no supervision or control over the
state council OF defense, and the
state council Of defense and it's rep
resentattves have no supervision or
control over Red Cross chapters and
branches, or over their activities.
The state council Of defense ex-
lists by virtue Of chapter s, Of the last
special session of the North Dako-
ia legislature. This act did not pur-
port to give that body either control
or supervision Of the American Red
Cross, and this was proper for the
reason that the Red Cross exists un-
der an act of Congress, and is under
federal control and not under state
control.
The American Red Cross was Gre
ated and operates under act of Con-
gress Of January 8, 1905, chapter %,
section l, U. 8. Comp. Statutes OF
1916, sections 1897 to 7706, which pro-
vides for it's government and oper.
alton and carries a heavy penalty foI
those who falsely pretend to be mem.
bers or agents and for those who
misuse its emblem. This congress
sional act requires reports Of its &C.
tivities and also an accounting to
be filed with the war department
and congress on January / Of each
year.
Only Red Cross officials can give
instructions which YOU are author
lied to observe.
The Red Cross has been generous
ly supported by the people of this
state and is receiving the support OF
all loyal organizations, whether fra
ternal, political, religious or govern
mental, all of which is gratefully ac-
knowledged and deeply appreciated
by those who are charged with adj
ministering its affairs in this state
You will please see that this expla,-
nation is given in your Jurisdiction
so that there may be no further
cause for confusion.
N. @. YOUNG, ~. 3D..
State Director. I
HARRY CURaAN WILBUR,
Executive Secretary.
Fargo N. D., June II. 1918