Ellsworth American., 1921-09-07
THOUSANDS OF RED
CROSS WORKERS TO
MEET IN OCTOBER
First National Convention to Be
Held in Columbus, Ohio;
Pageant a Feature


The American Red Cross viii this
year, for the first time in its history,
hold a national convention which is
expected to bring together several
thousand representatives of the ap-
proximately 26o0 Chapters of the or
ganization in all parts Of the United
States. The convention will be held
at the Ohio State Exposition Grounds,
Columbus, Ohio, from October 4th
through October 7th, preceding by
month the fifth annual Roll Call for
members, which will take place from
Armistice Day, November 18th, to
Thanksgiving Day, November gath.
The outstanding features of the
program will be a series of great mass
meetings in the coliseum on the Ex-
position grounds with addresses by
national leaders of thought and ac-
tion and national officers Of the Amer
ican Red Cross; an historical pageant
tracing the progress Of mercy and
service up through the centuries in
which more than 1000 men, women
and children will take part; pageant
picturing the service Of the Junior
Red Cross; singing by a chorus Of
thousand voices; a reunion of Red
Cross nurses who served overseas dur
ing the World War; mass confer
ence ON the Red Cross Roll Call, and
series Of important sectional con-
ferences on the various phases OF the
Red Cross peace program.
Noted Speakers Invited
Among those who have been in
vited to address the delegates are:
President Harding, now President Of
the American Red Cross; William
Howard Taft, Chief Justice Of the Uni
ted States Supreme Court: John w.
Weeks, Secretary of War: Edwin Den
by. Secretary of the Navy; Herbert
Hoover, Secretary of Commerce; Gen
eral John J. Pershing; Charles R.
Forbes, Director of the new Veterans
Bureau; John G. Emery, Commander
Of the American Legion: William Jen-
nings Bryan; Judge Del Toro, of Porto
Rico; Miss Alice Masaryck, OF the
Czechoslovakian Red Cross; R. B.
Bennett, of the Canadian Red Cross;
Miss Alice Fitzgerald, of the League
of Red Cross Societies.: Fighting
Chaplain Duffy:
Red Cross leaders who are sched-
uled to speak include Dr. Livingston
Farrand, Chairman of the Central
Committee: w. Frank Persons, Vice
Chairman in charge Of domestic oper-
ations: Albert Ross Hill, Vice-Chair-
man in charge of foreign operations;
Eliot Wadsworth. Mrs. August
Belmont, Miss Mabel T. Boardman and
DIR. Thomas W. Green.
If the duties of his Office permit him
to attend President Harding will prob
ably speak at the opening mass meet
ing on the evening of October 4th, on
"The Response for the Nation" follow
ing Dr. Farrand's address on The
Call"
A Magnificent Spectacle
The pageant, "The Red Cross of
Service" will, it is believed. be one
Of the most magnificent spectacles Of
pageantry presented in this country.
1t will be produced under the dfrec-
tion OF the author. Ruth Mougey Wor-
rell and among those taking part will
be some so men and women who won
distinction during the war for service
to the Government and the Red Cross.
A program Of special music is being
arranged and the big chorus will as
sist. Professor Lamont Warner, OF
New York City. is in charge Of the
stage sets. which will provide an al
legorical background The costumes
are being made by volunteer workers
of the Columbus Chapter from de-
signs by Ray Sobey and under his
direction. Many innovations in light
ing and technical effects are being
worked out.
The purpose Of the pageant is to
impress on the delegates from all sec
dons of the country the Importance
to communities and to the entire
country Of the permanent program of
the Red Cross. 1t will trace through
the centuries, from the beginning of
the present era. the spirit of
service which is now symbolized
by the Cross Of red on the
field Of white. While the main
portion Of the pageant depicts in a
dramatic and inspiring way the dif.
ferent services Of the Red Cross dur
ing the war and today. In peace, II
will be preceded by a spectacular his
torical procession. passing by Human
ity. accompanied by Mercy. Faith, Ser
vice Hope and Love, the groups In the
procession Illustrating great events In
various centuries of charity and ser
vice. One Of the most pretentious
scenes win be that Of King Arthur and
the Knights of the Round Table, and
the knightfng OF Sir Geaahad for Ser
vice.
While the mass meetings and the
pageant VIII attract q great deal of
attention and VIM gfve splendid tn.
spiration to those tn attendance, the
sectional conferences WIN be the real
meat of the convention, tho working
sessions. At these conferences active
Red Cross workers from communities
In many States, representing various
points Of view, will discuss the i'm
poTtant problems met BY Chapters and
Branches in carrying out their peace
programs, including d1sasksr retie6.
public health nursing. the general
health program, volunteer service,
Junior Red Cross work, postwar &C
e1v1ties, &Astruc&ton In homo hygiene
and care of the sick nutrition, and tho
nke.
New Eaoland DeseVates
Arthur g. Roech, Manager Of the