Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-03-08
BOSTON MAN GIVES
ADDRESS BEFORE
RED CROSS WORKERS

There was meeting of Red Cross
workers held at the Elks Home Thurs
day evening, which was attended by IA
good number.
The meeting was addressed by L..
w. Smith, Jr., Of Boston, whose mis-
sion is to visit the many Chapters Of
, the State and give helpful suggestions.
Mr. Smith said that many Chapters
were not doing business, that is, they
were not making the most of the ener-
gy expended. He expressed the wish
that there were more present but that
bridge whist had somewhat interfered.
Mr. Smith used blackboard to illus
trate his talk.
He asked them to consider the Red
Cross as business. to take in the fact
that we have either got to go across
and fight or stay here and help. He
pointed out that business could not
be done without money and some meth
cd must be used whereby steady
income might be established.
The work Of the Red Cross abroad
was taken up. showing the many activ
tiles among the United States soldiers
and the Allies. He pointed out the
Italy in making a stand against the
enemy also the help offered to France.
He said the Red Cross was lot be-
sides sewing and knitting, but some
people think these are all there is to it.
At home the work Of the Red Cross
covers civilian relief of families, which
takes up war insurance risks. a cor
respondence. morality in families, way
ward children, school attendance.
home nursing and many other things.
He said that the men felt the families
were all right. the morale of the troops
would be strengthened.
Canteen service was another phase
of the work of the Red Cross which
was talked over in connection with
troop trains going through. The mill
tary relief which has been carried on
here was spoken of and the Importance
Of the Junior Red Cross movement was
emphasized.
The educational part of the Red Cross
first aid. surgical dressings, dietetics and
home nursing, if learned would release
nurses to go across where they are 30
fearfully needed, where men lie five hours
sometimes without attention.
Mr.. Smith said some chapters felt that
they were not getting credit. What pn
earth does credit amount TO. said Mr
Smith. IF we are doing what is needed"
He said that in six months the Red Cross
had grown from 10000 to 23.O000O0 mem
bers and from 30 cha piers to 5000 chap
ters. and there are 100000 workers He
pointed out the fact that one reason
why things were not running in a more
businesslike fashion is because the Wis
not penetrated the districts far from
the centers.
Mr. Smith explained fully the proper
scheme of organization, the divisions into
committees and subdivisions necessary
lie suggested a permanent income and
told how it might be done. He took np
the work Of the different committees and
told the need Of efficient head Of eacn
The decentralization OF the work was
then fully explained and its application
to local work made
"A few suggestive "donts'' were Offered
by the speaker at the close OF his talk. In
closing. Mr.. Smith said that ever, one
of us should do all we can so that when
those boys come back we can look .hem
right square in the eye"
4 vote OF thanks was given to Mr.
Smith for his eniightening and he,pcu
talk