Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-23

Francis Farquhar, Christmas roll
call chairman for the Red Cross dis
trict composed of Pennsylvania and
Delaware, announced in Harrisburg,
at noon today, that the total mem
bership'reported up to that hour was
SS7,227.
Major Charles J. Biddle, Philadelphia's
only "ace," was given a tremendous re-
ception at the hnal rally OF the Red
Cross Christmas rollcall campaign at the
Liberty statue at noon today.
AS he stepped upon the platform to
speak sustained shout OF wild ac-
claim went up from the throats of the
thousands who thronged Broad street
almost as far back as Chestnut.
The bedlam was still in full swing
when DR.. Charles 3. Hart stepped for
ward to propose three cheers for the
aviator-hero, but before the words could
form on his lips the impromptu demon
stration increased with such volume that
he could not hear his own voice.
Overcome by Reception's FerVor
So overcome was Major Biddle at the
spontaneous welcome that It was some
moments before he could speak coherent
ly and the crowd respecting his emotion,
waited with. patent understanding for
him to begin.
After recounting his experiences in the
Ia IA NNa1N lNa NFNNfu Ia
for ten months prior TO this countrys
entry into the war. Major Biddle told
of the great work of the Red Cross over
seas and issued an appeal for it's sup
port in postwar activities. which he
declared were even more important than
those carried on before the armistice was
signed.
"Our Duty Is Not over"
"our duty is not over by long shot"
he said, I'VE have a million and a half
men still in France True. they are not
fighting, but neither are they living in
hotels You have rain and storms here,
but you ought TO see the brand they have
In France.
although the men are pretty well sea-
scned by life in the trenches sickness is
Inevitable under the conditions they are
forced 10 experience Hardy as they are.
they are certainly not immune from DIS
ease.
II can vouch for the vast strides made
BY the Red Cross in the war zone dur
ing the last year, from actual experience
Last February. before the Red Cross
was well organized in France. I was
taken to hospital with minor wounds.
Laboring with inadequate facilities and
handicapped by a shortage of doctors
and nurses, the Red Cross was literally
BvRmped with unattended wounded.
1T was fighting manfully, with sac
rifice and devotion. but 1t wasn't equal
10 the gigantic task.
Two months later T was wounded
again and taken 10 a field hospital. The
difference was marvellous. American ef-
fciency and pure American grit had
overcome all obstacles and the treat
ment given the wounded could not have
been more thorough.
"Not Time to Relax"
""rhe Red Cross scope Of operations is
even more comprehensive now, but this
is not the time to relax. There are still
thousands OF MANNED and wounded boys
over there who need constant attention.
and for those that have come through
whole there is the Red Cross canteen.
the greatest Of wars institutions from
the doughboy's standpoint.
Those boys over there are homesick
and II is the canteen, with its COM
forts and healthful surroundings, that
will supply the unspoken want OF every
soldier who must remain on the other
side until peace is definitely estab-
lished."
Mr. and Mrs. f. 7. Stotesbury, Mrs
Arthur Gray, Mrs. Henry n. Paul, whose
son. Samuel Paul, is also an aviator and
a close friend of Major Biddle. and
scores OF others congratulated the re-
turned ace"
John c. Bell. former State Attorney
General, and Mrs. Arthur II. Lea, vice
president OF the Southeastern Pennsyl-
vania Chapter of Red Cross were also
speakers at the rally,
r. T. stot.sbury Directs singing
qt A trio of s. A. r. c. boys from
state College sang some OF the popu-
lar war songs and the Leo Feist trio
contributed several numbers. +. r
stotesbury in a burst of enthusiasm
directed the community singing OF
.'smiles" and "Over There"
The Chester Valley branch Of Red
Cross reported incomplete returns Of s3l
memberships.
while figures 30 far show us far be-
hind last year" declared II. w. Smith,
office director of the roll-calI drive,
"these figures are no indication Of the
real total. 1t will be impossible to have
the definite figures before the last OF
this month. though We will be able TO
announce estimates tomorrow. / am
expecting many of the districts to send
IN their reports tonight"
Al midnight the Christmas rolIcal
campaign for new members will end. I
IS Philadelphia's last chance to writ,
its name high upon the honor roll of tn,
crimson symbol OF good will to men"
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