Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-12-17
OUR RED CROSS AND IT'S
WORK

The United States of America was
the first nation to officially recognize
organized voluntary relief for armies in
the field during the Civil War the
United States Sanitary Commission
was organized TO assist the Army Medi-
cal. Bureau in preserving and restoring
the health of soldiers
The American Red Cross was incor-
porated in Washington, in the District
OF Columbia, in July. 1881, under the
the Red Cross. Miss Clara Barton was
its first president
In 1905 it was realized that the i'm
portance of the work demanded a re-
peal of its district charter and a rein
corporation of the society under
government supervision. AS a conse-
quenc.e on January 5. 1905. it was In
corporated at The American National
Red Cross, under congressional
charter.
Under that charter the purposes Of
the American National Red Cross are
clearly defined. In section they are
set forth as follows:
First to furnish volunteer aid to the
sick and wounded of armies in time of
war, in accordance with the spirit and
oordftfo,e % t1,o C1,eo.<,,o. - c,o......
to which the United States of America
gave its adhesion on march,, 1882
Second, to act in matters OF volun-
tary relief and in accord with the mill
tary and naval authorities as a me-
dunn Of communication between the
people Of the United State of America
and their army and navy.
Third. to continue and carry on n
system Of international relief in time
of peace. and TO apply the same in
mitigating the suffering caused by
pestilence. disease. famine FIRE floods
and other great national calamities and
to devise and carry on measures for
preventing the same
At the present time thu President Of
the United States is the president Of
the American Red Cross
The Comptroller of tie Currency Of
the United States is the treasurer Of
the American Red Cross
All of its accounts. covering both
receipts and expenditures. are audited
by the War Department.
Under this charter the American Red
Cross is called upon. not alone to fur
nish aid to the sick and wounded of
armies in time of war, but it has clear
ly outlined peace duty as well.
It is to devise and carry on meas
ures for preventing pestilence, famine.
fire, floods, and other great national
calamities.
With the work of relief in devastat-
ell Europe looking toward a close, the
Red Cross has turned its face toward
home
1t has found enemies here as treach-
erous and cruel as it has helped 70
vanquish overseas.
Ignorance, Indifference, selfshness.
neglect. these are the forces that are
menacing life. assailing liberty, and
forbidding the pursuit of happiness.
Ready as always to serve in time Of
war, the Red Cross is unwilling to
stand idle in time of peace.
Not in any spirit of ambitious leader
ship, but dominated by a desire for
service the Red Cross is striving to
combine all forces in an onslaught
against the foe.
BY instruction. by administration. by
cooperation, the Red Cross aim is
preparedness.
It's organization Is nationwide
1t needs the accumulated aic OF
large and determined membersn = to
gain a second victory for humanity.
When America entered the Wor
Var in 1915, the Red Cross. already .
fulfilling its chartered mission, was
furnishing aid and succor as neu-
tral organization to the nations at war.
At the beginning of the World War
in 1914 the American Red Cross con-
sisted of 1O4 chapters, with 1e,70S
members.
Through sympathetic interest in war
work. its membership steadily grew
until when America entered the war In
1917, there were 5s2 chapters in the
limited States, with 4s6,1s4 members.
At the time of the Arrnistice, in
Nov. 1918, there were 1857 chap
ers and II 900 branches, $4,000 auxili-
,ries. 100000 adult members and
unior membership comprising nearly
a. ooo. 900 school children. Today
here are $500 chapters, with an