New-York tribune., 1918-12-23
Big Red Gross
In Sky Planned
10 Close Drive
Is Filters 10 Form Emblem
Over City as Final Appeal
TO Roll Call Laggards
RedoubIe Efforts To-day
Thousands of Workers to
Exhaust Every Possible
Means Of Reaching Goal

A great red cross will appear in tht
sky above Manhattan to-day, where
every one may see, to let the city's
millions know that it is the final, tht
"clean-up,' day in the Christmas roll
ca.l Of the American Red Cross fol
membership.
The emblem will be formed by hftecr
airp)nnes, which will start from thci1
field on Lons Island and travel ahov,
the New York skyscrapcrs in the forma
ticn ,ot Of war and battle, but OF peace
and mercy.
The great al, feet will hover over tht
city, flying low, SO that pedestrians may
see the red crosses painted on theii
| lower planes and be impressed will
the fact that it is for "tfe creates
mother in the world" who has sue
cored airmen, soldiers, sailors anc
civilians alike, that the unique display
is being given.
To speed up laggard subscribers, the
fastest airplane in the world, the
"Christmas Bullet" will also whizz over
the housetops this afternoon.
One hundred and seventy miles ar
hour will be the rate at which the
BULLET" will carry its message OF
"Jon!" to those who do not yet wear
the red, white and blue button of mem
bership for the coming year. Rec
crosses have been painted on it's under
side, and the machine will skim the
roofs at its terrific speed with as little
space to spare as possible.
Route Through City
It's pilot, Cuthbert Mills, will take
the "Bullet," decorated with banner
and Christmas foliage, from it's hangar
over Manhattan will be from the Bat
terry to Central Park. 1t will stop to
maneuvre over the Battery, City Hall
Park, Union Square, Madison Square
Times Square, the Plaza and Central
Park
With the reminder from the clouds
and an army of canvassers in the
streets, in theatres, stores, restaurants
and Offices, there will be no excuse for
q non-member by the end of to-day.
There are 444 booths in the city where
people may enroll and pay up, and it is
urged by the New York County officials
be employed, as there are not enough
campaigners to solicit each person in
the city by tonight.
Between 1000 and $4,000 men and
women will redouble their efforts to-
day to bring the total past the mark
set last year, to prove that peace has
not made a grateful nation forget its
pledges to the men in uniform who
brought about the end of hostilities.
Police Aid Drive
Fifteen thousand workers in the
house house division Will start
again early to-day to canvass and re-
canvass every fat, tenement, apart
haitian for new members. An equal
number of men and women police re-
serves will carry on the work in streets
and restaurants, while the uniformed
police force will take part in a good
natured "hold-up" of gigantic proper
tions. directed against automobiles and
pedestrians.
Inducements to join the Red Cross
are not necessary, but those who en-
roll may add to the mere JOY of the
act the interest derived from a dozen
Shows" along Fifth Avenue. Shops
have been fitted up with gayly painted
WINDOWS, anQ IN tneSe are variety OF
entertainers all day long.
One may enroll at any of these
"shows" and receive a ticket admitting
to all of the others, so that for the
price paid for membership person
may be amused and interested see
pictures in the painting, artists mod
els posing, hear excellent singers.
The drive officials are suggesting
memberships in the Ped Cross to fill
that gap which always looms at the
last minute in the Christmas gift list
What better display of the seasons
spirit than an enrolment for some per
son who is not able to join, or as ar
additional present for those already
provided for in material things
Let nobody pass without button!'
was the slogan announced yesterday for
to-day's campaign by c. Lionel Marcus
of the East Side Red Cross Committee
just returned from abroad
At a meeting yesterday at the Bank
of the United States 200 mothers who
have sons with the army in Europe
were present and applauded Mr.. Mar
cuss declaration that all would have
to stand by the organization which
had tended their boys without rega re
20 sect or any other consideration cx-
cept that of need.
SSS--.~~