Evening star., 1935-04-08
RED CROSS LAUDS
SERVICE OF PAYNE
Chairman c. T. GraySon
Pays Tribute as Conven-
ton Opens Sessions.

The annual convention of the
American Red Cross opened here this
morning with a tribute by Chairman
Cary T. Grayson to the fine charac-
ter and great ability" of his prede-
cessor. the late Judge John Barton
Payne.
After reading a telegram from
President Roosevelt expressing regret
at being unable to attend the con-
vention and deep interest in the work
of the Red Cross, Chairman Grayson
said of the late Judge Payne:
Il wish to pay tribute to him for I
know of no man of finer character
nor greater ability. Throughout his
long life he was beloved and admired
and his influence was felt wherever
he WENT
Another Tribute Offered.
Another personal tribute to Judge
Payne was paid by Right Rev James
E. Freeman. Bishop of Washington,
who declared:
The IA years of Judge Paynes ad-
miniStration were stern and trying
ones They tested the capacity and
genius of our best and strongest lead
ers. They presented situations that
called for discriminating judgment
and rare craftsmanship.
These Judge Payne possessed with
a freedom from hasty and immature
decisions and an absence of passion
that made him a recognized leader
where counsels were confounded and
counselors we're embarrassed"
1,50O Expected to Register.
About $500 delegates are expected
to register today at the national
headquarters of the organization.
President Roosevelt's telegram, read
to the opening session. said in part
There is no activity in which 1 am
more deeply interested than in the
work of the Red Cross"
Delegates will meet in five general
sessions, the annual dinner being held
at the Mayflower Hotel tomorrow
night. The general sessions are open
to the public and several of the
speeches are being broadcast.
Concurrent with the convention OF
the parent organization. about 300
high school boys and girls will repre-
sent the Junior Red Cross in their
convention at the District Chapter
House. The junior members will dine
and dance at the Mayflower Hotel
tonight and were taken on a sight,
seeing tourSof the city during the day,
including a visit to Mount Vernon
and Arlington.
Leaders Will Attend.
The convention, which will last
through Thursday, brings to Wash
lngton some of the outstanding lead
ers in disaster relief work. Speakers
on the opening program also included
DR.. Edward C. Elliott, president of
Purdue University; Miss Linnea An
derson, high school girl, of Tacoma,
Wash, spokesman for the Junior Red
Cross, and several others.
The convention is the first held
under the dictatorship of Admiral
Grayson and gives him an opportun-
1ty to meet with the various chapter
and regional directors from all part
of the country.
The leading topic of discussion at
the sessions will be first aid work TO
meet the problem of the mounting
accidental death toll The program
also embraces an elaborate program
OF expansion for the organization.
There was an undertone of sadness
in all the talks as the session got
under way. Almost every speaker
had a word of tribute for the leader
who had guided the destinieS of the
relief organization for so many years.
DR.. Elliott discussed the subject,
THE Red Cross as a School for
Democracy" and Miss Anderson
talked on the "Juior Red Cross: Our
Opportunity to Serve"
Besides the general and round table
sessions. the delegates will be enter
tanned with several side functions, in
cluding a reception at the White
House by Mrs. Roosevelt tomorrow,
numerous breakfasts, luncheons, din
ners and teas.