Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-14

Harding formally opened the annual
meeting Of directors OF the American
Red Cross today with short ad-
dress expressing his qualification
over the work Of the organization
during the last year.
Tho President predicted that with
tho awakening Of the conscience of
mankind and the prugrcss OF civili-
cation. there viii be less and less for
institutions OF charity TO do, but
added Ii" rejoiccd as an American
that there is an Organization like tho
Red Cross ready and willing to
serve
Societies Answer Criticism.
The work OF the Red Cross. the
President declared. was an answer 10
those VINO have said that America is
doing nothing for the rest Of the
world. He asserted that the Am-ri-
can government and people are Civ
ing the best that is In u.s." by cx-
crting an influence everywhere 70
protect the interests OF humanity.
Mr.. Harding spoke In the capacity
as president OF the Rcd GROSS. n posi-
ton lac said he WAS happy TO occupy.
How gratihed ] was one after
noon some weeks ago" he said In
speaking OF the work OF the organiza-
ton. when tho urgency of the Near
East was pressing and asked Of the
executive officer. the chairman OF
this organization. | said no him:
There Is urgent need Of relief. what
can tn" Red Cross do? and without
preliminary words or without any de-
lay. Mr Payne said: We are ready
To- serve
Organization Quick tn Rc~pond.
INSTANTLY 10 that difficulty and
trying situation. the American Red
Cross made its influence and It's ca
pac!ty 10 serve. it's readiness to serve.
evident
Nothing has been more gratifying
To me- Ia my experience as President
than that little incident. OF course,
"" think that in the awakened con-
sciousness ~ mankind in the re-
ncwed commitments to higher ideals.
better f"llowships and Manifestations
of our boosted civilization. there will
be less 10 do along tn. lines which
YOU HAY" followed In ~. Red Cross
work wish th"T" were always less
tasks TO perform. but somehow or
| other II IS the fortune OF civilizations
always TO have these duties to per
form and I rcjoic. as an American
and as a witness az IN" present day
conxc!.ntiousness thai wc hav" such
an organization az the American Red
cross. which IL ready TO serve.
Il believe that In consciousness OF
Willingness and readiness comes the
great compensation for the time.
energy and support and soul which
YOU give 10 the work OF the orSnni-
zation.
Did Fine Work During Year.
Il ike TO tell men who are cry
ins out that the American govern
m"nt Is not giving all its attention
to world appeals. that not only Is
tho government giving OF It's In
nucnCe TO protect human interest
every where in tho world. bu, this
expression of American influence, the
capacity To serve, is giving the best
that IS I'm us
You have done nne work. You
viii be called upon to do more
other speakers at tn. meeting
were Nice-Prcsidcnt Coolidge. Rob
ert w. Deforcst. OF New York, vice.
president OF the society. who pre-
sided: John Barton Payne. national
chairman. and MISS Mabel Y. board
man. secretary, since It's incorpora-
ton by Congress. Officers were unan-
!mously Reelected. and at q meet
ing OF the central committee. a reso-
luton was adopted approving the
orrnnigation's present program The
committees declaration called for
priority in carrying out the program
for the needs OF disabled former
service men and preparedness for
disaster relief.
Mrs. Henry p. Dawson. Of Locust
valley. y. Y. widow OF the chairman
of the Red Cross war council. wa,
elected TO succeed him as member
OF the incorporators. and the chan.
ter delegates selected her to replaca
MIN on the central committee, to
which Herbert Hoover also was
elected. succeeding Charles D. Nor
'oh' OF New York. who declined re-
election The vacancy on the hoard
OF incorporators caused nv tho do,th
or Thomas Nelson Page. was ollcd
by Mrs Charles Scott. Jr. OF phiIa.
~ATARRH