Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-06-05
RED CROSS NOTES.
&C. G. Yoran).

!
The executive committee of the Della
ware county chapter wishes to call
attention to orders from headquarters
which are being observed by the Della
ware county chapter but not by some
branches in the county.
| The orders are explicit that local
organizations of the Red Cross should
not deliver to individuals or groups OF
men leaving for the National army any
Of the comforts or supplies provided
by the Red Cross organization. When
the men arrive where these things are
needed they are provided with them
by the national organization which
buys in large quantities and to best ad-
vantage and more cheaply than can
local units If some soldiers are al
ready provided with some of the things
it necessarily interfereS with the dis
tribution to all.
1t is in obedience to these orders
that the county chapter has not given
to any of the men leaving, comfort kits
or housewives or other gifts, not from
lack of interest in the boys.
Another rule which is not always OBJ
served is that no entertainment or 9TH
er means of raising money for the Red
Cross can lawfully be given without a
license from the local chapter. A lit
tie consideration will satisfy anyone
that this is wise rule as the
Red Cross name can be very easily
used for private profit and gain with
out adequate benefit to the Red Cross
if anyone who chooses can arrange
any sort of money-raising scheme that
they please.
When it is remembered that there
are over $4,000 chapters of the Ameri-
can Red Cross and over twenty-three
million members. it is clear that every
individual cannot be left to do Red
Cross work in his own way, and neith-
er can each chapter make rules Tor It.
self. Unless all the chapters and in
dividuals work for the same end and
with the same general plans there will
be hopeless confusion. Therefore we
should follow directions from head
quarters even though they seem sense
less to us because it happens some
times that there are reasons unknown
to us for giving these directions
Competent judges say that the or
ganization of the American Red Cross
in France and the work done there is
the most efficient of any organization
of the kind since the world began.
The same can not be said of the work
in this country and the reason is part
ly the dislike of Americans to follow
orders. But in these days it is nec-
essary for success that the members of
the civilian army obey orders, just the
same as the members of the military
forces do.
We would rightly be very severe in
condemnation of the soldier who start
ed over the top to get the kaiser re-
gardless of orders from his immediate
superior, but his fault would be no
greater than that of those who attempt
o do their part in supporting our fight
ing men regardless of the orders of the
great organization which has worked
out great plans which depend for their
success ON the active assistance OF all
the folks at home.
If we truly want to help our boys
and see that they are properly taken
care of we must work harmoniously
along the lines prescribed for all, with
the knowledge that the American Red
Cross is not falling down on the Job
but is achieving success which is the
wonder of the world.
The Surgical Dressings quota for
May, consisting of 1000 SKA compress
es, was completed last week and ship
ped this week.
The North Manchester Auxiliary
have just completed one hundred pa
jana suits, which is fine record.
Their work is done in the evening and
they expect to continue without let
ting up for hot weather. Other aux
iliaries and branches will have to hus-
tie to surpass this live group.
Hospital garments will be sent next
week. Everything must/be in by the
last of this week from all the branches.
Miss Packard has turned over to
the chapter the work done by the
Junior Red Cross and the youngsters
have completed an astonishing amount
of it. Wristlets and wash cloths in
large numbers and some we'll knitted
blankets show the patience and skill
of the little folks in a way to shame
the older ones who are doing nothing.
AnuDDnIcCn DnnCDC