The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-03
u. S. RED CROSS
/ IS TRANSFORMED
TO PEACE BASIS
Epoch Marked in History Of
Society = Reconstruction
Problems to Be Handled.
(ny Associated PROSE-

WASHINGTON. March 3.--Today
marked an epoch in the history of the
American Red Cross. Transformation
OF the organization from a war to
peace basis became effective when Dr.
Vvingston Farrand. formerly presi-
dent of the University of Colorado,
who was recently appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson as the executive head of
the Red Cross, assumed his duties as
chairman of the central committee and
the war council. which has guided the
organization for almost two years,
terminated its existence.
With the retirement of the war
council of the American Red Cross
there passes into history a body of
men whose labors in behalf of the
United States during two OF the most
critical years of the nations existence
constitute a record of patriotism and
sacrifice that forms one of the most
startling chapters in the country's war
achievements. The services these
men rendered to their country through
the medium of the Red Cross now be-
ing at an end, they are preparing to
return home and take up the vocations
and businesses dropped in the spring
OF 1917 when the first call to arms
brought them to Washington to offer
their abilities and experience to the
nation. While their war services as
members OF the Red Gross war coun-
Gil are ended some of the men who
composed It are to remain with the
organization as members of the exc
cutive committee.
Huge Organization Arises
Events throughout the world have
moved rapidly in the last two years.
no place moro SO than in the Ameri-
can Red Cross. Under the guidance
OF the war council the American Red
Cross has grown In that period from
domestic relief organization to one
whose sheltering arm now encircles
large part of the globe, from an or
ganization with less than half mil
lion members and 562 chapters to one
with o membership of close to 90
100000 in nearly 1000 chapters. From
national headquarters in Washington
he war council directed the work OF
The more than 100000 volunteer wo-
men workers, whose labors in thou
sands of Red Cross workrooms con-
tributed so much to the comfort of our
lighting men and the winning of the
war
Probably the most remarkable
achievement Of the war council was
he organization of the money and
membership drives through which the
american people contributed more
han $500 900, 900 to the Red Cross in
,ess than one year, by far the greatest
aum ever contributed by any nation
Tor a humanitarian purpose. The gen.
,rosity of the American people enabled
the war council to put through the
most stupendous relief program in the
worlds history. The diplomatic, po-
litical, economic and other problems
encountered by the war council in ex-
ending through the American Red
Gross the help of the American people
o all parts of the earth may easily
lie imagined.
President Wilson, as president OF the
american Red Cross, appointed the
var council on May 10. 1917, about five
weeks after the United States entered
he war The original members were
Henry p. Dawson of j. p. Morgan d
Co, New York, chairman; Charles ID.
Norton, vice president of the First Ma
tional bank, New York: Maj. Grayson
Mop. Murphy, vice president OF the
Guaranty Trust company, New York;
cornelius n. Bliss. Jr., of Bliss. FAB
IAN G. Co., New York; Edward ~
Hurley. manufacturer and capitalist.
chicago; former President Taft and
eliot Wadsworth of Boston, the two
after as chairman and vice chairman
{ the central committee of the Red
ross, exofficio members.
War Council Changes
The personnel of the war council
has undergone several changes, but
throughout it's existence Mr.. Dawson
las continued as chairman. OF the
original members President Wilson
lrafted Mr.. Hurley to head the United
States shipping board. Maj. Murphy re
,igned to 60 into active army service
md Mr.. Norton withdrew because Of
he demands of personal affairs. These
Yacancies were filled by the appoint
nent of John ID. Ryan, president Of
he Anaconda Copper company, Butte
Mont. Harvey ID. Gibson, president OIL
he Liberty National bank, New York
md George r. Case OF the law nrn
Of White G. Case, New York. Subse
1uently Mr. Ryan and Mr.. Gibson re
;igned and their places were filled BY
Jesse II. Jones, business man anf
banker. Houston, Texas, and George
.. Scott, vice-president of the Ameri
can Steel Foundries Of Chicago.
All these men served the Red Gross
and their country without pay. Ines
,aid their own expenses while II
Washington and while travelling in the
interests of the Red Cross. ma1orit,
of the members were men of large Il
nancial and commercial interests ant
their private business have seen little
Of them since they entered the service
If their country. All their energy ant
combined ability has for two years
been directed toward placing the
American Red Cross squarely behint
the United States and her allies II
their every undertaking. Under Tho
direction of the war council the Amer
lean Red Cross has backed the Ameri
can fighting men at every turn. leavins
nothing undone to supply the supple
mental comforts which the government
was unable to provide, while at thi
same time Offering the services. com
fort and, where needed, the substantial
aid of the organization. to the families
of our soldiers, sailors ana marines