Evening star., 1926-10-05

There is faith that all contributions
will be wisely, economically and hon.
estly spent for the benefit Of the suf-
ferers-none being used for purposes
of administration. Another virtue of
| this society Is that it follows through,
Once having entered a devastated
area, the Red Cross does not leave
| until there has been complete re-
Mobilization. 1t does not withdraw
after the acute physical ills have been
alleviated. Help is continued until
, every person affected has been re,
stored to full powers of efficiency and
the community has been recon
structed Such work took full year
after the tri-States tornado in the Mid
west in March; 1925, and a total OF
So, 900, 900 was expended.
"Aid is given freely, necessity being
the only requirement, and in such a
way that the benefactor does not fee!
himself an object of charity. He does
not lose his self-respect. Rather ls
he inspired by a fine example to a
better and more efficient life, that ne
in turn may render service to others.
while the Red Cross comes strik-
ingly before the public eye at times
Of great emergency, reported exten-
sively n the newspapers. 1t is in the
less we'll known and unspectacular
services where constant and most I'M
portant benefits are rendered. Not
only are our active soldiers and sailors
ministered to, but encouragement ana
assistance are being given to our war
veterans wherever they may be. In
the broad field of prevention, destined
to play an increasingly valuable roie
in the progress of civilization, already
an excellent start has been made.
Among the services now being sup
ported by the Red Cross are: Home
hygiene and care of the sick, pubic
health and nursing, nutrition, hrst
aid and life saving. 1t is not intended
that local committees shall be super
seeded in their privilege and duty TO
carry on health preservation and So
cial service work. But we undertake
to start such activities wherever need
ed and to arouse public sentiment to
the necessity Of maintenance by the
local authorities.
Junior Red Cross Praised.
Zone of the most promising of the
recent developments is the Junior Red
Cross, organized among the youth OF
high school age. The aim is to inspire
in the youth the fine spirit of service
and self-sacrifice which is so charac-
teristic of the senior organization.
| These junior groups are kept in touch
with similar groups in foreign lands,
and evidences of good will are fire.
Quently exchanged. Who can doubt
that this spirit Of friendliness fostered
among the young people Of the differ
ent nations will bring a harvest of
better international understanding and
of mutual respect in the years to
come? Among the choicest treasures
Of my bookshelveS are thousands upon
thousands of bound personal letters
written by the school children OF
Japan, expressing the gratitude OF
that exceedingly courteous nation for
the millions of relief which was af-
forded them by the American Red
Cross at the time Of the devastating
earthquake and food which over
whelmed Toxic and the surrounding
territory in 1923. Out Of the spirit of
those who gave and the gratitude or
those who received a better under
standing and more enduring ties OF
friendship have certainly been
wrought.
Suffering and sorrow are universal.
Sympathy and a desire to help those
in distress are characteristics not con-
fined to any one nation. Already the
comprehensive sphere of influence
throughout these United States. 1t
has more than 100000 senior and
over 5.5O0,000 junior members. There
are 1857 chapters. nearly 500 in ex'
cess Of the total number OF counties
in our States. We are cooperating
with other countries through the Pan
American Red Cross and through the
League of Red Cross Societies, COM
posed Of 54 independent national or
ganizations. We have time and gain
given freely in aid of stricken com
munities in foreign lands.
"All of this represents tremendous
organizing ability. embracing vast re-
sources, and including an enormous
number Of people. There was never
any other like charity in the world.
1t represents idealism applied in a
sensible, practical, sound way to the
real problems Of relief.
Result of Idealism.
"What the Red Cross Is doing IS
| only one example of the innumerable
results of American idealism. While
| there is no moro moving spectacle
| than that of the poor out Of their
meager substance. extending relief to
their fellow beings in time of Distress
such relief would be entirely made
! quate to meet the needs of modern So
ciety. To extend medical aid, to give
| the necessary food. clothing and shell
ter to the victims of disaster in the
TTA E A NJ. r>,1