The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-06-16
CECIL COUNTY RED CROSS.
Funds Needed TO Maintain Public
Health Nurse.


Editor Of The Midland Journal,
Rising Sun, Md.
Dear Sir:
The Cecil County Red Cross,
through the medium of the press, is
asking for voluntary financial dona-
lions on the part of the public, to
carry on its work.
This movement recalls wildly to
my mind, a conversation had sew
eral weeks ago with high official
of the County Government, concern
ing the Red Cross work in Cecil
County. This gentleman, who is a
faithful representative of the PEG.
pie, expressed disapproval that the
sum of 100000 should be annually
appropriated from the public funds
of the County to maintain Red
Cross Public Health Nurse. In
amazement I promptly assured him
that his was totally erroneous i'm
pression-that not a single cent had
been forthcoming from this source
for the support of this work. Still
uncertain as to tie accuracy Of my
assertion, he very properly took the
trouble to consult the County Rec
ords with a view to either confirm
ing or discrediting my statement. 1t
is greatly to his credit that am en-
abled to state that few days later
he approached me in manly man
ner, admitted that he was entirely
wrong ana suggested that since the
idea which he had falsely entertain
ed was prevalent throughout the
County, it would be the part of
wisdom to dispel this notion as
widely as possible
This letter has for its object that
very purpose. No financial aid has
yet been rendered this Organization
by the County Commissioners. The
money which had accumulated in
the Organizations Treasury during
the war, provided a splendid nu-
cleus, but since then, interest having
waned, expenses gradually exceeded
receipts, until now the Treasury is
about depleted and solicitation for
additional funds is made with the
assurance that every cent obtained
thereby, will be used solely for the
benefit of the needy in Cecil County
alone.
regard this appeal for funds on
the part of the Cecil County Red
Cross as movement, the signific-
ance of which should be Thoroughly
understood and appreciated by every
right thinking man and woman in
the County. Here is an Organiza-
ton composed of unselfish citizens,
both men and women, who freely
and generously give of their time,
energy and money that their less
fortunate fellowmen may find the
way. to health and happiness.
Active interest in the physical and
material welfare of ones fellow citi-
zens can be prompted only by noble
and generous impulses and yet a
lack Of interest in and an made
quate knowledge of the Organiza.
tion's means of support, its aims and
methods, have prompted som,
skeptics to wag their heads ant
continue supinely Indifferent.
The only salaried person in the
Organization is the Public Health
Nurse whose entire time is devoted
to this work. 1t costs approximate
ly 100000 per year to maintain
her, which amount includes a salar,
of $4,000 annually, the runnin,
expenses and upkeep of Ford au
tomobile, nursing supplies and incl
dental expenses. These disburse
ments are recorded in systematic
manner and a. complete and detailed
record of her activities is prepared
every month. The Treasurer is Mr.
Charles S. Pyle, President of the Ma
tional Bank of Rising Sun, which
fact is a guarantee of thoughtful
intelligent and efficient handling O.
the funds.
If an appropriation cannot be
looked for from the County Officials
nothing in the world can save to this
County the humanitarian work
which is being so admirably carried
on by the Red Cross Public Health
Nurse unless a generous public re-
spouse be made to this appeal
Merely to save the equivalent Of a
contribution, are our intelligent citl-
zens to stand aside and see her
activities cease? Let this not be so
but rather, as Lincoln said: with
malice toward none; with charity
for all; with firmness in the right
as God gives us to see the right-let
us, us strive IT, !. on to finish the work we
FRANK w. CLAPP.