The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1919-11-02
Unfinished War Work.

SANoL PiOS1 dlll 10 puDllollSu.
Unfinished War Work.
During the war the energies OF
the Red Cross were concentrated OF
extending aid and comfort to mill.
tary and naval forces and relief
to civilian populations. This war
time task is not yet fully perform
ed. To men still in service and tx
their families at home, to discharg-
ed soldiers not yet re-adjusted t.
thef rountine of civilian life, to boy
suffering or jconvalescing in mill
tary and naval hospitals, the Amer
can people must still give cheer
comfort and service through theif
Re Cross. In certain portions O.
Europe the American Red Gross
must still care for der-nourisheJ
babies, and for the aged and in
firm, and must assist war-ravaged
countries to organize their own re
sources to preserve the vitality an
lives of their people. While al
these responsibilities at home and
abroad have steadily lessened il
volume and scope and are gradually
moving 'Sowarl completion, they
cannot be abandoned until they arr
fully met The Red Cross can un
dertake no plans that do not in
clude this Unfinished WNlr-worgl az
their first obligation.
Traditional Responsibilities.
The Red Cross must contiaia y
carry on in an even more effective
way than in the past, the already
established system Of National and
international relief in mitigating
the suffering caused by famine,
fire, floods and great national ca
fanatics. 1t must also be prepared
to give ervice to the standing for
ces of our military and naval es-
Establishments and to aid them in
every necessary way in the event
of their being called into action.
1t must continue the work UNDER
taken prior to the war in the field
of Nursing and must maintain its
courses of First Aid, Diatetics, and
Home Care of the Sick.
Increased Responsibilities.
The war has left America with
the retaliation that h].her stand
ards of responsibility to prevent
needless suffering and loss Of life
are set both for individuals and the
nation. The Red. Cross with its ira
ditions and its established organi-
cation of Chapters and Branches, is
prepared to aid in maintaining these
standards by cooperating with all
recognized agencies both govern
mental and voluntary engaged in
the work of conserving human life
ard happiness. 1t must meet its
new and developing responsibilities
with the same energy and effect
iveness as it met those occasioned
by the war. In general, the scope
of the service of the Red Cross, in
addition to the regular disaster
function and co operation with the
military and naval forces will be
directed to assisting, stimulating
and experimenting all Legitimate
movements for the preservation,
promotion and Improvement Of the
public health and betttring lv-
ing conditions through applyinGand
extending the principles of true
neighborliness.
Activities Already Authorized.
The Red Cross has already begun
the work of meeting these respon-
sibilities and Chapters are now
engaged in extending the following
activities:
(a) Public Health Nursing. \,
Oh Educational classes in Diet
etics, Home Care of the Sick and
First Aid
tc) Home Service to Civilian
Families.
(d) Children's activities through
the Junior Red Cross.
Preservation, Promotion and I'M.
prOvement of the Public Health.
The Red Cross recognizes that
the maintenance of public health
is a public function to be operated
by governmental bodies. It also re-
cognjzes that government today
local, state and national is not
everywhere prepared to meet these
problems, particularly since their
solution must depend largely upon
the understanding and cooperation
of individual citizens. With ? these
things in mind, it proposes 20 de-
vote its organized energies to build