The Washington times., 1931-04-13
HITS CONGRESS
F0RPROPOSED
DOLE PLAN
Executive Praises Spirit of
People in Responding When
Suffering Demands Help
Continued from Page -

N(Ontsnue0 from rage ~
resources and the ability and
the courage Of the American
people In mutual action under
their own Red Cross, men no
doubt genuinely concerned over
the growing seriousness Of the
situation, were Skeptical Of your
abilities and the forces which
give It strength, and were In
sistent that the Red Cross
should abandon its voluntary
character, should abandon its
INDEPENDENCE and It's fOunda-
tiOns in service which arc part
Of the spiritual life Of our
country, and become in effect
. Government bureau through
Federal appropriations as the
source Of its funds"
Praises Cash Refusal
He said the critics had failed
to take into account the 1act
that the Red Cross represents "a
vital and precious force In our
people-their ability and strength
In voluntary action and tnelT
sense of service and OF moral
responsibility" 9s
Mr.. Hoover declared the REQ
Cross Sprang from the people
and part Of their spiritual expires
sion.
"It was q momentOus deci-
sion which confronted you, to
refuse the easy course that was
proposed a. Congressional ap-
preparation Of $25, 1000, ,OOO), and
It has been due to you, to your
cOurage, your resolution, and
devotion, that it has been pos
sibIe even in time Of extreme
economic difficulty to prove
your strength and ability to
meet national emergencies, by
finding from your members the
financial resources on the one
hand and the ability and sense
OF service for distribution on
the other.
Government DOIes
'Tf your officers had yielded
on this occasion the Red Cross
would have been rendered i'm
potent In the face Of every
future national emergency for
It would have been inevitable
to turn to the Government and
the taxpayer; It would have
meant the destruction Of the
spirit Of the Red Cross and it
would have been the destruc-
tiOn Of something even greater
than voluntary Service-it would
have injured the spiritual re-
SponSes Of the American peO-
pie. II would have been q step
on the pathway Of Government
dOleS."
Declaring that in such prob
lens as the drought suffering
brought about the nation was
dealing not only with tntangibles
Of life and ideals, but Of civiliza-
tion's highest sense, that Of "per-
Sonal responsibility Of neighbor
for neighbor, the spirit of charity
and benevolence in the individual,
the holding alight the lamp Of
voluntary action in American life"
L~udS Voluntary Deeds
He concluded:
"A great spiritual value comes
to those who give from the
thankful heart, who give be-
cause Of their SenSibility to SUIT
fering. It is this spiritual value,
which Is exemplified In the Red
Cross, that Is Of transcendent
value to our nation. 1t is be-
cause Of the courage and main
tenancc Of this spirit and this
value that wish on this Occa-
sion to pay tribuate to each
and every man Of you and to
your board Of governors, and
more especially to your chair.
man.
instrument Of Mercy
''YOu have not alone served
our country in distress, but you
have contributed to preserve a
great ideal in our people.
''YOu have proved yourselves
not only o practical instrument
Of mercy and relief but you
have renewed and invigOrated
the spiritual life Of the nation.
"'You are inScribing another
bright chapter in the history Of
the American Red Cross; and
you are inserting . chapter
Of spiritual growth Of our
country"
John Barton Payne, national
chairman Of the organization,
presided.
Others to Speak
Following the address by PreSl-
dent Hoover, Judge John Barton
Payne, president Of the American
Red Cross, welcomed the dele
gates.
James L. Fieser, vice chairman
In charge of domestic operations,
briefly addressed the meeting and
outlined the work of the Red
Cross in drought relief.
He was followed by John N.
McDuffee. spokesman of the Ju-
nior Red Cross. McDuffee, a
high school boy of Grand Rapids,
Mich, told Of the work being done
by the junior organization.
Ray Lyman Wilbur. Secretary
of the Interior, spoke on the
'child's bill of rights"
Following the morning meeting,
delegates moved from Memorial
Continental Hall to the auditor.
i,Irn of the United States Chamber
~ Commerce where sessions will