The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-08
RED CROSS BULLETIN

, man of the Red Cross war council whick is as follows:
 Dear MT. Dawson: Understanding 2 that some of your loyal Red Cross wrokers in various parts of the country have at times found themselves em- barrassed in not being privileged 10 purchase in the open market materials to be made up for the use of the boys in the service, I am prompted to ex- press to you my appreciation of your understanding and cordial co-opera- tion with the war industries board
 As we made clear at the time the matter was discussed. we find it nec- esssry to control the various products and materials essential to the military programme from a national point of view, and it would, therefore, be de- ternined to the common cause if your organization through your chapters were to purchase goods locally without regard to national requirements You, of course, understand it is not our pur- pose to do so, but rather so to co-or6i- nate the purchases and the purposes for which they are to be used that the best results may be obtained.
 :" T have been informed of the ex- cellent spirit of cooperation on the part of your chapters throughout the country, and, therefore, wish to ex-
 
 ing as it does in many instances self denial and in all instances a spirit of patriotism. I am confident that all the women of the coutnry would CO., operate in like spirit if they appreci- ated the situation and the importance of so doing. If you desire, I shall be glad to have you express to them my appreciation of their cooperation with the war industries board. Very truly yours, B. NJ BARUCH. Chairman War Industries Board''
 HOW CHAPTERS CAN AID
 Chapters will be interested also in the following excerpts from anl address by George Peak, commissioner of fin- ished products. recently to the divi- sional directors of supply and devel- opment at Washington:
 "In order to carry out the work of the war industries board, commodity sections have been created. At the head of each section has been placed a man who is specialist in that par ticular line. so that he may guide and assist the government departments in securing the particular commodity. and determine when necessary how new facilities can be created to take care of the demands.
 ''In each commodity section sit rep resentatives from the Red Cross, navy. army and the various other purchas- ing agencies of the government
 There is also price committee, the principal functions of which are Co deal with the basic raw materials. in such a way as to stimulate the pro- duction and prevent proffteering; sec ondly, they act as price judges when required and see that the departments get fair and reasonable prices upon purchases.
 ''The two commodities that interest the Red Cross in the largest measure are wool and cotton. The war indus tries board handling the new clip en- tirely, thus eliminating altogether the element of profiteering. The demands of the army are so great that there Is going to be practically no wool left for the civilian.
 ''In cotton products there is a very unusual situation. TheN demands are tremendous, and while there will un. doubtedly be a generous crop this fall, there is a decided limit to production of cotton fabrics; mills are running to capacity. and there is no time to ir- crease this capacity. There is, there fore, as serious situation in regard to cotton fabrication as there is in wool, although no shortage of raw material exists
 These are two striking examples of what is happening in a number of lines and are particularly mentioned in or der to bring home to the chapters of the Red Cross the necessity for buying everything through the central organi- where all requirements will be taken up and considered in the regu- lar way with the government. The available raw material will be allo- ca ted and the Red Cross will get its fair proportion, although it may not get all it wants at the time it wants it.