The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-01-13
RED CROSS WAS
NOT TO BLAME.
Baker Exonerates Ameri-
can Red Cross Of Blame
in Sale of Articles.
CAUSED BY ACCIDENT

The train of circumstances through
which hospital garments, especially pa
jamas, donated to the American Red
Cross and by it, in turn, to the mill
tary establishment, inadvertently
found their way into commercial mar
kets, has officially been laid bare. The
Kenosha County Red Cross Society has
received from headquarters copy of
letter signed by Secretary of War
Newton D. Baker and public state
ment issued by the War Departm ent
which completely exonerates the Red
Cross from blame.
AS soon as it came to the attention
of the American Red Cross that hos
pital garments bearing it's emblem
were being offered for sale in this
country the matter was laid before the
Department. of Justice, the War De-
partment and attorneys general of the
states wherein the articles were found
on sale. Action was prompt, steps be-
ing taken at once to stop the offering
of the articles for sale, and if possible
to prevent continuance of the supply
W Tile AGLCHdAtS SOlSS4ASO' AC
complete history Of the incident is told
in the following statement issued by
the War Department:
Red Cross Not Responsible.
at having been brought to the at
tention of the ar Department that
the daily press is carrying stories en-
barrassing to the American Red Gross
as a result of a recent appearance for
sale to the United States of garments
bearing the labels of the American Red
Cross, Secretary of War Baker issued
the following statement:
ct should be understood that the
American Red Cross is not in any way
responsible for the recent appearance
for sale in the United States of arti-
cles bearing the Red Cross label, and
made in Red Cross Chapter work
rooms. Large quantities Of these ar
ticles, bespeaking the generous atti-
tude Of the American people, were on
hand in the various American hospitals
in France at the time the Armistice
was signed. These articles had al
to the Army. AS these hospitals were
abandoned and salvaged the various
supplies were collected into ware
houses. When the bulk sale Of all
war department surplus supplies to
France was consummated, entire ware
houses with non-inventoried contents
were turned over in that sale.
Could Not Be Segregated.
"Owing to the rapid withdrawal of
troops from France and the necessary
abandonment Of hospitals and depots
of the Medical Department of the Ar
my it was impossible in all cases to
segregate from Medical Departm emit
Department property such articles as
pajamas, blankets, towels, sheeting,
etc, which had been in use in hospitals
and unused articles, so generously do
mated by the American Red Cross for
use in Army hospitals in France, and
to return to that association such ar
ticles. Consequently when the sur
plus army supplies were turned over
upon the consummation of the bulk sale
to France this property was included
with other medical supplies. 1t is evil
dent. therefore, that the American
Red Cross is in no way to blame for
conditions over which that association
had no control
"In connection with the foregoing
press items in regard to American
Red Cross property, it should be recall
ed that by Act Of Congress, approved
July II, 1919, the Secretary of War
was Authorized to place at the dis
posal Of the American Red Cross such
medical and surgical supplies and sup
Elementary and dietary food-stuffs