The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-08-02
RED CROSS NOTES

ment by Arthur G.. Rotch of Boston, as
sistant manager of the New England di-
vision of the Red Cross, regarding the
necessity FOR continuance of Red Cross
activities with undated energy. He
says;
Every report that comes to us from
Red Cross commissions and individual in
yestigators abroad reveals the fact that
the distress in the countries of eastern
Europe, in the Balkans, in GREECE, in 81
IBERIA, is worse than conditions In France
and Belgium during the war.
at seems impossible to exaggerate the
suffering Men, women and children are
without clothing and habitation They
have neither the material with which to
make garments nor places in which to
make them. They are dying because of
lack of medical supplies and attention.
They are dying of actual starvation.
"This means that the work of the
American Red Cross in the near East
should be continued for some time to
come. We cannot desert our duties now,
with secure peace hanging in the bal
ance.
Next fall the women of America will
be asked to undertake another great pro-
duction program, principally for eastern
Europe. 1t must be purely volunteer
work If our devoted women do not
choose to do it, our great humanitarian
endeavor abroad must be abandoned.
But we are confident of the answer to
our request. Their hearts will not per-
nit them to say No
Besides the production program the
Red Cross will again ask the people for
a fund with which to continue the work.
How large a sum win be asked we do
not yet know, but in all probability it
will not be nearly SO large as the war
funds so generously poured forth while
hostilities were in progress"
Mr.. Rotch pointed out that while the
Red Cross is completing its war and
post war work both here and abroad, it
is also preparing to take definite part
in rebuilding the world. Its peace pro.
gram, he said, calls briefly for the con-
tinuation and extension of four great
departments of Red Cross work: Nursing
service, civilian relief, junior member
ship and first aid,
"The enrolment of Red Cross nurses
will be continued" Mr.. Rotch declared,
ito add to and fill vacancies in the ranks
of the thousands of nurses already en-
rolled. The influenza epidemic taught
lis the value OF classes in home nursing
and dietetics and these courses will be
strengthened and broadened.
Through chapter organizations the
Red Cross has already entered the field
of public health nursing, demonstrating
A e
lied agency already exists. In many
sections Of our own division public health
work has been started and in others the
chapter is supplementing existing health
agencies.
"The second part of the program pro-
vides for the department of civilian re-
lief; this includes extensive preparation
for immediate response in time of great
disaster in any part of the country, and
for the extension of home service work
so that such counsel and service as are
now being given only to the families of
soldiers and sailors shall be offered to
any family As in public health nursing
the Red Cross will not enter the field OF
general home service in any communities
where it is already established or where
II
"The junior auxiliary has not been for
gotten in the permanent program and
plans for enlarging the opportunities of
the school children will be ready by fall.
John w, Studebaker, national director
of the junior auxiliary, has gone to Eu-
rope to complete plans for the relief
work the children will be asked to carry
ON for their suffering brothers and sis
tiers in the devastated countries.
"Another feature of the permanent
program is the intensive development of
first aid work on which field directors
are already at work in the division 1t
is planned to reach particularly school
children and persons employed in indus
tries"
Mr. Rotch pointed out that the entire
program had the purpose Of preventing
and relieving suffering and preserving
human life
Home service win go on as long as it is
needed, disseminating information on
government insurance, allotments, etc,
to men in service and their families, and
will be extended to families of civilians
only where local communities demand it
and where no similar relief agencies ex-
list.
Summary of home service for quarter
ending June 30;
Apr. May June
Number different soldiers
or members of soldiers
family dealt with .. 100 l29 "a
Number to whom an actu-
al service was rendered l06 100 so
Number receiving informa-
ton only .......... Ia 20 Ia
jackson block, room 4, Monday, Tues
day and Saturday evenings and Satur-
day afternoon; telephone 523-M or 692- w.