The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-23

1
first class men to represent Red
Cross in this important and necessary
work; consequently. men are coming
daily to Washington from all over
the United States to look into the ma
ture of the work. and very con-
siderable portion Of his time IL taken
up in interviewing these men and de-
termining IT,. in his judgment. they
qualify for the positions. His depart
ment Is, also, able to assist quite
| materially in Recommending to the
| bureau of personnel for overseas SER
vice. men who are especially fitted
for that work.
At the Red Cross meeting in Topeka
today noon State Chairman Cobb said
that there was some Misrepresentation
about the Red Cross and the DISPOSE
ton Of the funds. He said the remark
had been made to him the other day
to this effect: II understand that
only rs per cent of the money we con-
tribute goes to Red Cross work." Mr.,
Cobb said he was tracing this down
to it's source, saying we must fight the
Hun here as we'll as in France
| Here is what I learned:
| All Of the money we contribute goes
specifically to Red Cross relief. all ad-
ministration expense is much more
than betrayed from membership fees.
By virtue of interest on bank deposits
for every dollar contributed, $1.02
has been spent for relief work. Every
penny is working to win the war.
Almost without exception the i'm
portant posts in the administration of
the Red Cross are filled by men and
women accustomed to large personal
affairs. who are absolutely giving their
time and service to its work. OF those
who receive salaries the large proper
ton are working for reduced compen-
sation.
Henry Allen Of Kansas is in France
working for the Red Cross without
salary and paying his own expenses.
The object of this campaign in
which Topeka and the whole country
are engaged this week. and which
brings the workers here together for
service among tho people and together
at such as today's inspiring noon day
meeting at the Chamber Of Commerce,
|
had secured $6s,so0 of her $4,000
quota. Is to raise second war fund
of one hundred million dollars, but
beyond. also. to tell the American
people the story of the Red Cross.
| No matter where we stand. or how
We serve. we are a part Of the great
| est, most far-reaching voluntary or
ganization in the world. Nothing to
compare with it has developed in mod
ern civilization. To be a part of it is
a lasting decoration.
| Germany is not beaten. In terri
tory. men. population and slaves she
has gained. and lost nothing but blood
and the respect of the civilized world.
For us to win will demand every ounce
of possible strength. =,
Vital as are armament, ammunition.
ships. aeroplanes-all the stupendous
furnishings of a conflict-there is one
indeffnabie, incalculable thing that
none of them can assure-it is the i'm
mortal thing that makes arms in
| vincible-that wins In the face of
that we call morale-that springs
from consciousness of right coupled
with confidence, buoyancy and conse-
quent courage.
In New York on that night, last
Saturday night, President Wilson
Opened the campaign with a thrilling
speech at the Metropolitan opera
house. There was not the ghost of a
chance for any stranger to get in.
Thousands were refused admission be-
cause there were no seats in that i'm
mense Auditorium. space in which was
practically reserved for only Red Cross
committees and the Red Cross organ
ization. New York City's quota of the
hundred million fund now in process
of securing, is $25,ooo,0oo. and that
night as I read. not heard, every one
present contributed $25 or more to
the fund. aggregating 100000.
1t was on that occasion that the
president made his famous epigram
why limit the sending Of Americans
to France to 5,oo0.0oo?"
The American Red Cross Is not a
government department; it is relief
organization with government sane
ton, and, as such, assists the army
and navy whenever called upon to
help care for the wounded and suffer
ing.
i 1t is the worlds international ideal
of mercy. 1t knows no bounds of ra
cial, religious or political separation.
Wherever and whenever war. pesti-
| lence, storm, flood or disaster has
wrought suffering, want or distress.
there it has gone and brought relief,
and the ready hand of unselfish aid.
Its first efforts were in Great Brit
ain during the Crimean war when
Florence Nightingale was sent by the
war office in 1854 to the hospitals OF
Scutari When Miss Nightingale with
/ thirty eight other nurses reached Sou