The Washington times., 1935-01-24
CLAIMS
JUDGEPAYNE,
NEARING 81

prominent in public Affairs in all
recent administrations are ex-
pected to attend funeral services
for Judge John Barton Payne,
national chairman of the Ameri-
can Red Cross, who died early to-
day Of pneumonia.
It was announced by members
of the family that funeral services
would be held at 2 o'clock Satur.
day at historic st. Johns Church
on Lafayette Square, restored to
its original architectural form
several years ago through Judge
Payne'S generosity. The services
will be in charge of the Rev. j.
Oliver Hart, rector of st. Johns.
Burial is to follow in Oak Hill
Cemetery.
Friend of Presidents
Judge Payne'S death occurred
two days in advance of his
eightieth birthday. His body
rested today at his home, 1882
I St. N. w.
Judge Payne numbered among
his friends every President of
the World War and reconstruc.
ton periods. as we'll as numerous
lesser luminarieS. He had been
prominent in public affairs for
many years, and was frequently
called to the White House for
consultation. He had headed the
Red Cross since 1921.
Ironically enough, the noted
humanitarian who had succored
millions of refugees of storms,
floods. hurricanes. fires and earth.
quakes in this and other coun-
tries, and had relieved many a
poverty-stricken family, died at
George Washington Hospital on
what may be recorded the EaSt'S
worst night" - with sub-zero
temperatures and gales distressing
many sections, with perhaps half
Of the country blanketed with
heavy snowfall and with flood
waters in the Mississippi Delta
Narrowing thousands Of persons.
Visited by Strawn
At his bedside was DR.. Walter A.
Bloedorn, who, with Rear Admiral
Cary T. GraySon and DR.. Charles
Stanley, attended him, and his
nurse. His two nieces, who may
share his fortune, reached the hos
pital after he died. Among Judge
Payne'S last callers was Silas H.
Strawn, of Chicago, former presi-
dent of the United States Cham
Der of Commerce. Mr.. Strawn
and Judge Payne used to be law
partners.
Judge Payne entered the hospi-
tai few weeks ago and underwent
an operation for appendicitis. A
previous attack Of influenza caused
complication of diseases to develop
with pneumonia claiming his life.
When the then President Hard
ing called upon him to become
chairman of the Red Cross, Judge
Payne accepted with the stipula.
tion that he serve without COM
pensation.
Judge Payne was then IS years
Of age. Serving under four Pres
identS, he directed the Red Cross
activities during the 1927 Mis-
SisSippi Valley floods, the Florida
hurricanes of 1925 and 1928, the
West Indies hurricane Of 1923, the
drouth of 1930-31, and unemploy.
ment relief prior to organization
Of Federal relief.
Noted PhiIanthrOpist
Patron of the arts and phi.
lanthropist, Judge Payne gave
away money and objects dart
approximating in dollar value
nearly a million during his life.
In 1917, giving up his law
practice, Judge Payne undertook
his first service to the country
as arbitrator of strikes during
the World War.
Onder President Wilson he
was on the Treasury Board of
Appeals and general counsel for
both the Shipping Board Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation and the
United States Railroad Admin.
istration. In 1919 he became
chairman of the Shipping Board
and in 1920, Secretary of the
Interior.
Born in West Virginia in 1855,
when that State was still part of
Virginia, he was one of 10 chill.
dren. Passing the bar in 1875,
he went to Chicago in 1882 to
practice. In 1895 he was elected
judge of the Superior Court in
Cook county, at which post he
remained until given his first
Federal position in 1917.
He married Jennie Byrd, a
well-known artist, in 1918. She
died in 1919, and in her memory
Judge Payne restored historic st.
Johns Church, quaint early
American edifice which stands