Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-12-19

heart of al mankind may he modified
on behalf Of suffering humanity
while. therefore. the plans Of thu
American Red Cross in this direction
cannot be formulated specifically. in
advance Of the general relief program
Of the allied governments, the AIneri-
can Red Cross is nevertheless planning
to develop its permanent organization
in this country upon 4 scale never be
fore contemplated in time Of peace.
The commissions which are now con
Quoting the activities of the American
Red Cross III foreign countries. as
Wen 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 ct the outset of the
war simply that they might serve their
country. but have realized such a sat
tsfaction to themselves in the opp0r-
tunity to serve mankind that they now
desire to become a part of the perma-
nart 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 IN
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
staffs, will be maintained-alWa
ready for service; and national head
quarters will have a large and efficient
personnel to direct the activities of the
organization as Il whole
study is being given by the ma
ti0nal organization not alone 70 prob
lens Of international relief, but to
plans in this country for enlarged
home service, the promotion of public
health education. development Of RurS-
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. it is believed, provide both for
world relief and for home community
service, and thus constitute a 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 will be no further need for in
! tcnsive campaigns for funds. The work
I of suppIemenring governmental actiy-
/ tiles. which the Red Cross will be
/ called upon to do in all parts Of the
/ world will be upon a great scale, but
/ it will call fer human service rather
/ than for large expenditures.
'What the American Red Cross
! needs now is not 50 much contribu-
/ tons of money, as the continued devO-
! ton ami loyalty Of its 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
may send a 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 our
RALLIES in victory, but that our abiding
/. purpose is that the love, the sympathy
i and the Intelligence of all America
shall be rededic8ted to The permanent
service Of mankind.