Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-12-18


while, therefore, the plans of the
American Red Cross In this direction
cannot be formulated specifically, In
advance of the general relief program
of the allied governments, the Ameri-
can Red Cross is nevertheless planning
to develop it's permanent organization
In this country upon scale never be-
fore contemplated in time of peace.
The commissions which are now con-
Quoting the activities of the American
Red Cross in foreign countries, as
well as the temporary war organiza-
ton In this country, will as a matter
of course ultimately merge their ener-
gies with those Of the permanent or
ganization of the Red Cross.
"With the war has developed the
striking and important fact that many
men and women, some of whom had
with great success devoted their lives
entirely to business, came into the Red
Cross organization at the outset OF the
war simply that they might serve their
country, but have realized such sat-
isfaction to themselves in the oppor-
tunity to serve mankind that they now
desire to become a part of the, perma-
nent peace organization of the Ameri-
can Red Cross.
"There may be, therefore, perfect
confidence that the peace activities OF
the Red Cross will be conducted I'M
der able and inspiring leadership. The
chapters will maintain their organiZa-
tons upon a scale adequate to the new
demands to be made upon them. Lo-
cal committees will indeed appreciate
more and more the value of having in
their midst strong and efficient Red
Cross chapters. The divisional organi-
cations. with honorary and permanent
stats, will be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ready for service; and national head
quarters will have a large and efficient
personnel to direct the activities of the
organization as a whole.
"Study is being given by the ma
tional organization not alone to prob
lens Of international relief, but to
plans in this country for enlarged
home service, the promotion of public
health education, development of nurs-
ing, the care and prevention of acct
dents, and other correlated lines,
which may contribute TO the health
and happiness of men, women and chill
dren. Such plans when developed
will, ii is believed, provide both for
world relief and for home community
service, and thus constitute channel
for the continued and useful express
sion by Red Cross workers and mem
bers of those qualities of sympathy
and love which our whole people have
poured out so unstintedly during the
war.
For the completion of its war work
and for the institution of its peace
program, the Red Cross is fortunately
in a healthy financial condition. Album
dant occasion for the use of large
funds of money and great quantities OF
garments and other supplies will con.
tinue to arise, but it is believed that
there viii be no further need for In.
tensive campaigns for funds. The work
of supplementlng governmental activ'
tiles, which the Red Cross will be
called upon to do in all parts of the
world, will be upon great scale, but
it will call for human service rather
| than for large expenditures.
"What the American Red Cross
needs now ia not so much cOntribu.
| tons of money, as the continued devo-
| ton and loyalty of it's members. This
| is peculiarly true at this moment OF
transition from war to peace. Annual
membership involves the payment OF
only one dollar. The moneys thus re
ceived not only defray all the admins
| trative expenses of the organization
but leave a substantial balance, which
together with all funds subscribed di
rectly for relief, are devoted solely
| to that. purpose. The roll call of the
nation is thus to be called at Christ
mas time, that through enrolment In
| their Red Cross the American people
I may send message to our soldiers
| still overseas and to the peoples of the
world that we are not merely content
with seeing our arms united with oul
allies in victory, but that our abiding
| purpose is that the love, the sympathy
and the intelligence of all Americs
shall be rededicated to the permanent
service of mankind"