The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-23


 in money or material values, a net total of at least $32, 2,5O00,000.
 The American Red Cross has a total of 2O,648,1O3 and, in addition, S,O0O,- 900 members in the Junior Red Cross; a. total enrolment of more than one fourth the population of the United States.
 American Red Cross workers pro- duced up to July 1 last a total of 221.282,836 articles of an estimated value of $44.000,0O0
 About S,000,000 women are engaged in canteen work and the production of relief supplies.
 The American Red Cross is dis tributing aid in ten countries-the United States, England, France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Palestine, Greece, Russia and Siberia. Besides it has sent representatives to Serbia, Denmark and Madeira.
 More than 5000 Americans will be working under the Red Cross in France by Jan. 1, next.
 These facts were laid before the 3,854 chapters of the Red Cross in the annual message of the War Coun- ciI of the Red Cross when the chap ters throughout the country today held their annual meetings to elect officers.
 Announcement was made in the message that every man, woman and child in the United States would be asked at Christmas time to enroll in the American Red Cross.
 The message, signed by Henry P. Davison. chairman of the war coun- cil, said in part:
 'sSince the beginning of the war, you of the chapters have do-operated with the War Council in conducting | two war fund drives and one mem bership drive in addition to the cam paign on behalf of the Junior Red 1 Cross, The total actual collections to date from the first war fund have amounted to more than $115, 100000. The subscriptions to the second war fund amounted to upwards of s176,- GOO 900. From membership dues the collections have amounted to approx | fmately $24, 800 900.
 ITO the foregoing must be added that very large contribution of mate l lTldlS ana llIl1G SlNCH Dy tIAC A4lAliAStAH of women throughout the country. For the period up to July 1, 1918, American Red Cross chapters, through their workrooms had produced: 490. l20 refugee garments: 7,123,62 hospital supplies; 10.786.489 hospital garments; 1O134. .5O1 knitted articles: 192, 74S, l0T surgical dressings; total of 221, ,282, ,S3& articles---of an estimated aggregate value of at least 44,00O, ,000
 These articles were largely the , product of women's hands. and, by the same token. infinitely more pre- } cious than could have been the output ' of factories or machines. These arti- ]; rles going to the operating rooms o1 tthe hospitals. to homeless or needy refugees, and carrying comfort to oul own boys in the field, convey a mes sage of love from the women of this country entirely distinct from the great money value attaching to theil handiwork.
 By the terms under which the frs Red Cross war fund was raised, the chapters were entitled to retain 2; per cent, of the amount collected, II
 order to drefray local expense, tC carry on their home service work, tt
 purchase materials to be utilized il chapter production and otherwise tt meet the numerous calls made upo1
 them. The chapters were thus en
 titled to retain nearly $29, ,000,0 900. A a matter of fact, their actual reten
 tions amounted 10 only about $22,
 100000. Out of collections from an
 nual memberships, the chapters hay
 retained about $11, 100000.
 Prom this total sum, therefore, co s s33,OOO,0OO retained by the chapter : they have met all the oftentimes yer Q heavy local demands upon them, an < in addition have provided for use b
 National headquarters pro ducts val ued at upwards of 100000. -"The chapters have in effect re
 turned to the War Council, not alcn :, the S33,0OO,0O0 retained out of .h d war fund and membership dues bu in value of actual product, an sddt tionaI contrib ution, of at least $11, q 100000.
 .a "It will thus be seen that durin | the IS months which have elapse ' since the United States entered tn :, war. the American people will hay | elJneT pd1u III OI plSuSCN 'NO I4A American Red Cross for it's work C l relief throughout the world in none
 or in material values, net total of - least $325, 5,0OO,000.
 !" '"This outpouring of generosity i
 material things has been accompan
 jed by a spontaneity in the giving, b e an enthusiasm, and a devotion in tn u doing, which, after all, are greate y and bigger than could be anythin
 measured in terms of time or dollar
 "It has been because of this spir
 which has pervaded all American Re
 Cross effort in this war that the age
 governor of one of the stricken an
 battered provinces of France stated
 not long since. that, though Franc
 had long known of Americas great 6 ness, strength and enterprise, it re
 mained for the American Red Cros
 in this war to reveal America hear
 Tn this country. at this momen
 the workers of the Red Cross throug
 it's chapters, are helping to add to tn Is comfort and health of the millions ( il our soldiers in 102 camps and cantor IS ments. as we'll as of those tfavelin r. on railroad trains or embarklng o l. ships for duty overseas.
 '"The Home Service of the Re
 Cross. with it's now more than 40,ot
 workers, is extending its mtn1strs
 tions of sympathy and counsel eac
 month to upwards Of 100000 famihe
 left behind by soldiers at the front
 a number ever growing with the 1T
 crease of our men under arms.
 But of course, the heart of the Re
 Cross and it's money and attention a