The Lexington progress. (Lexington, Tenn.) 1884-current, 1919-10-31
A STATEMENT OF A
DISAGREEABLE AFFAIR.

of making many believe that sue
cessful campaign could not be made
in behalf of the Red Cross Annual
Roll Call-nor, indeed, could a sue
cessful campaign for any similar or
ganization be conducted. Neither my
paper or myself, personally, have been
in the habit of noticing anything that
might partake of the nature of Cos
sip, but this matter, while talked at
large, is one in which are concerned
each and every man, woman and child,
who have given money to the Red
Cross-with the understanding that
the man who would not give money to
the Red Cross might be justly looked
upon as very poor specimen of man.
hood or citizenship. Now to the
story:
Perhaps two months ago there
came to Lexington gentleman NAM
ed Crane, connected with the auditing
department of the National Red
Cross, with Southern Headquarters at
Atlanta, Ga. Mr.. Crane told us in a
meeting held in the Southern Metho-
dist church, that unless the local Red
Cross Chapter selected one of two
was in which to apply the money on
hand said money, under the law of
the organization would have to go in
to the general treasury of the Red
Cross, no chapter having the option
of spending the money given to the
Red Cross, for any purpose or pur-
poses other than those laid down by
the organization. | was present at
this meeting and, with the rest, select
ed the Home Service plan for the dis
position of our funds, the other plan
being one of much greater magnitude
Ia plan that we did not care to take
up and try to carry out. 1t was ex-
planned that the Home Service work
would need the service Of some person
to act as secretary in looking after
the general welfare of the returned
soldiers, especially those that were in
any way disabled-for instance, if we
had returned soldiers, in financial
need, we should furnish them what
ever sum might be necessary to tide
them over, with the understanding, on
his honor, that they would repay the
money, if they could but if they
should prove TO be unable to repay the
money it would be all right and the
former soldiers be just as welcome to
the assistance extended them as if
they should repay it.
The meeting took no definite ac-
tion except to adopt the Home Ser
vice work, but set the following Tues
day, believe it was, to wind up the
matter, elect secretary and put the
Home Service work in operation. At
the first meeting those present were
given to understand that it would be
imperative to send whomsoever we
might select as secretary to the Home
Service work, to Atlanta, Ga, for the
purpose of attending a school of in
struction in the work.
Well, the next meeting, as referred
to above, was held, after due public
ity, and Miss Eva Edwards was elect
ed secretary of the Home Service
work at the salary of $500 per
month, as / was informed after the
meeting, over which Hon. E. w. Es-
sary presided, Chairman o. E. Holmes
being absent. The action of the
meeting soon got abroad, of course,
has been widely and adversely criti-
cized and the result has been the
question WAS the Secretary elected
by the understood constituted au-
thority, the Executive Committee of
the local Chapter?" an expression of
the opinion that the amount set apart
for the secretary salary was entirely
too much. To be frank about it, OBJ
lection has been the application of so
much money in that way, when. the
people did not hesitate to say that
they gave it with the understanding
that it was going to the use and bene-
fit of United States soldiers.
Time went on and not until Friday
of last week was the matter again
in any sort of meeting of ,
either the chapter or the Executive
Committee. AT that time we had with
US Mr.. c. C. Member, of Nashville.
Secretary of the State Board of Char
tiles and Correction, who was with US
performing labor of love for the Red
Cross and to principally look after the ,
Christmas Roll Call for the Red Cross ,
for none who fail to pay the annual ,
dues of s1.0O holds membership in the ;
organization. No move was made to- |
ward making the Annual Roll Call !
but the Executive Commit ,
tee, in the meeting held on that day.