The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-03
RED CROSS GIFTS
 S4O0,O0O,O0O
War Council on Retirement kn- nounces Cash and Supplies
 Contributed.
WORKERS WILL "CARRY 0N."
Five Big Societies In World Wide Plan. H. p. Davison Heads International American Red Cross Commission. pr. Livingston Farrand Permanent Leader of Peace Organization.

washington.-(s Special )-Henry P. Davison as chairman issues the follow ing statement on behalf of the War Council of the American Red Cross: ITO the American People:
 'sThe War Council of the American Red Cross appointed by President VII son on May 10, 1917, to carry on the work of the American Red Cross dur ing the war, at their request and by vote of the Central Committee, ceased at midnight, February 2S.
 'Immedfate7y the arnlistice was signed the War Council instituted studies to determine when the strict Iy war work of the organization would have been sufficiently matured to en- able the direction Of affairs to be re- suned by the permanent staff. Henry P. Davison, being in Paris when the arnistice was signed, summoned a conference there of the heads of all the Red Cross Commissions in Europe to canvass the situation. After con- sidering all the factors 1t was con- cluded to make the transition on March L The very fortunate choice of Dr. Livingston Farrand as the new chairman of the Central Committ"e, and thereby the permanent chief e--- ecutive of the Red Cross, makes possl- ble the consumma ton of this plan un- der the most favorable conditions.
 Accounts Audited by War Department.
 Detailed reports to Congress and complete audit of it's accounts by the War Department will constitute the final record of Red Cross activity dur ing the war. Although 1t has been the rule to make public all expendi- lures when authorized and to give de- tailed information relative to all work undertaken, the War Council in turn ing over its responsibilities to Dr. Far rand and his associates desire to give a brief resume of Red Cross war time activities to the American people, to whom the Red Cross belong, and whose generous contributions have made pos sIbIe all that has been accomplished.
 During the past nearly twenty-one months the American people have given in cash and supplies to the American Red Cross more than $400,- 100000 No value can be placed upon the contributions of service which have been given without stint and of- tentimes at great sacrifice by millions of our people.
 ''The effort of the American Red Cross in this war has constituted by far the largest voluntary gifts of money, of hand and heart ever con- tributed purely for the relief of hu- man suffering. Through the Red Cross the heart and spirit of the whole American people have been mobilized to take care of our own, to relieve the misery incident to the war, and also to reveal to the world the supreme ideals of our national life,
 Everyone who has had any part in this war effort of the Red Cross is en- titled to congratulate himself. No thanks from anyone could be equal in value to the self satisfaction every one should feel for the part taker Fully S,000,000 American women have exerted themselves in Red Cross serv- ice.
 Has Over f7,ooo, GOO Adult Members.
 When we entered the war the American Red Cross had about 800, 600 members. Today, as the result of the recent Christmas membership Roll Call, there are upwards of IT 900, 600 full paid members outside of the mem bers of the junior Red Cross, number ing perhaps 9,00O00O school children additional.
 ''The chief effort of the Red Cross during the war has been to care for our men in service and to aid our arr0v and navy wherever the Red Cross may be called on to assist. As to this phase of the work Surgeon Gen. er0l Ireland of the U. s. Army recent ly said: The Red Cross has been an enterprise as vast as the war itself. From the beginning 1t has done those things which the Army Medical Corps wanted done, but could not do itself
 'aThe Red Cross endeaver in France has naturally been upon an exception ally large scale where service has been rendered to the American Army and to the French Army and the French people as well, the latter par ticularly during the trying period when the Allied World was waiting for the American Army to arise in force and power. Hospital emergency service for our army in France has greatly diminished, but the Red Cross Is still being called upon for service upon a large scale in the great base hospitals, where thousands of Ameri- can sick and wounded are still receiv- ing attention. 1t these hospitals the Red Cross supplies huts and facilities for the amusement and recreation of the men as they become convalescent. Our Army of Occupation in Germany was followed with Medical units pre- pared to render the same emergency aid and supply service which was the primary business of the Red Cross during hostilities. The Army Canteen service along the lines of travel has actually increased since the armistiea
 'As for work among the French pee pie, now that hosdlities have ceased the French themselves naturally pre- fer as far as possible to provide for their own. It has accordingly been de-