The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-16
PEACE TIAE PROGRAM
AMERICAN RED CROSS

Outlining the peace time program
OF the American Red Cross in his first
statement to the members of the or
ganization in Virginia, Maryland
! West Virginia and the District OF CO.
lumbia. Thomas Dec. Ruth, the newly
appointed manager OF the Potomac
division. states that the Improvement
Of tho pahktc health of the commu-
nifty win form one Of the paramount
objects to be accomplished. but that
there Is no intention to duplicate and
interfere with the good work of other
organizations working along similar
lines"
Before speaking of the future OF
the Potomac division. Mr.. Ruth paid
tribute to the work accomplished by
IT during the period Of actual HOSTILE
| ties and since the signing of the arni-
, stice. Being a former army man at
tached to the general staff, he had
many opportunities to observe the &C
! tual workings of the great relief or
ganization, and for the past four or
five months he has devoted all OF his
time to studying the policies of the
Red Cross.
"We are entering upon a new period
Of service" said Mr.. Ruth yesterday.
THE war is over, but 1t has left a
residuum of uncompleted obligations
TO our soldiers and sailors and their
families and of relief work for the
stricken peoples overseas These
duties it Is obvious we must discharge.
But the war has also revealed to the
Red Cross new fields of service TO cur
civilians in this country, and IL Is
here that our great opportunity lies
during the times of peace that are
now before us.
/ Before the war the Red Cross was
confined. largely 10 relief OF sudden
Elsa sters. to the Lobuilding of 4 mrs
ing service and IT, The teaching o, first
AID The Organization was feeling its
wEy Now the war has give! a
greater vision. We shall continue our
old projects, but we shall do also much
snere.-~T hFassh-tha-. draft We were
brought face to face with the fact
that the health of our people. whether
from city or country. was far below
standard. Through the system of
home service, built up out of a war
need. the Red Cross discovered-for
itself at least--in many communities
and rural districts a shocking condi-
ton OF ignorance, poverty and disease
and an utter lack Of social conscious
ness on the part Of the people.
to this home field. therefore, that the
ffed (TnsS iS turning lts Par icuitf
attention.
Through our newly establish ed
department OF health service we are
seeking to supplement and cooperate
with federal, state and county health
officers. Our reorganized nursing SER
vice aims not only to relieve the sick,
but to spread the knowledge OF home
care of the sick, home dietetics and
home hygiene. Through home ser
vice extended to aid civilian families
we are doing for these families what
was done during the war for the fam
lilies of soldiers and sailors. In short,
through its combined service the Red
Cross hopes to carry out we'll
| rounded and all-embracing program
of relief and education, a program
which liz a logical development from
our pre-war and wartime activities"
Mr. Ruth said there was no inten-
/ ton to duplicate or interfere with the
good work of other organizations along
| these lines and where such organiza-
lions exist the Red Cross seeks only to
supplement and TO help coordinate.
| Where they do not exist II will under
take to fill the gan until the people of
| the community have established agen-
! ctes to handle this work effectively.
He urged that every CHAPTER main
| q great national organization.