Evening star., 1941-10-19

The following year a bill was passed
reincorporating the American Red Cross
with the name of Miss Barton heading
the list of the incorporators, and the
District of Columbia Chapter, American
Red Cross, was organized in March, 1905.
Shortly after the reincorporation, on
March 25, the first meeting of the re-
organizers was held at the home Of
William j. Boardman, 1901 P street NV,
the temporary officers being president,
John B. Henderson, jr, and secretary,
Charles L. Magee.
After all. no story on the Red Cross
would be complete without special ref
erence being made TO Miss Mabel T.
Boardman, the national secretary Of the
Red Cross, and known by most every one
in Washington as having been appointed
by President Wilson, in 1920 one of the
Commissioners of the District of Co.
lumbia. the first woman to occupy this
post But her work in the Red Cross IS
what she is best known for, her service
dating from the Spanish American War,
and two years later, when the organiza-
ton was incorporated by Congress, Miss
Boardman's name was placed on the
board Of incorporators. In 1905 the
Red Cross was reincorporated and since
then this worthy lady has held many
prominent positions of responsibility. To
her is due the credit for the erection Of
the national headquarters building in
Washington, having obtained through
Congress an appropriation for this pur-
pose Of S4O000O. And, including gift
of 100000 from James R. Scrymser,
100000 more in contributions. Miss
Boardman is still active in Red Cross
work, nationally and locally, and in the
present local Roll Call, is chairman Of
the special Memberships Committee.
Roll Call Officers
The officers of the Roll Call include
Gen. John j. PerShing, honorary chair
man: Edgar Morris, chairman Lanier
P. McLachlen, vice chairman; Charles
H. Doing, treasurer: Otto S. Lund chap
ter manager, and Mrs. Irene H. Waldo,
secretary. The Roll Call group chair
men include: Mrs Joseph T. Davies, Mrs.
E. G. Montgomery, Mrs. James K. Nc
Clintock. Mrs. N. A. BJTnell, Mrs Homer
Case, Mrs Albert F. Lingle, T. Stanley
Holland, David E. Mccoy. Maj. Gen.
James c. Magee. Brig. Gen. F. R. Keefer,
E. Barrett Prettyman, Preston B. Kava-
naugn, CORTLAND D. Ferguson Brig. Gen.
Albert L. Cox, Geoffrey Creyke, jr, and
Robert c. Owens. Advisory Committee:
James L. FieSer. Walter Davidson, Com
missioner j. Russell Young, Lloyd B.
m
There have been many instances in the
history of the Red Cross when funds
have been badly needed but if present
indications prove correct. no one can
tell just how much money will be needed
for carrying on its extremely important
work for the next u months, when, as
it now looks, the scope of its work will
be enlarged far beyond what it ever
was before During the World War, into
which we entered in 1917, this organi-
zation performed a most valuable and
indispensable service at home and
abroad, and no one can tell but that
it may be called upon to render a like
service again.
Last years District of Columbia en-
rollment totaled 158779 and the men,
bership goal set for this year is 100000.
Fifty cents of each membership goes
to the national organization for mainte-
nance of activities sponsored by the Red
Cross on a Nationwide basis-disaster
services, first aid, lfe-saving training.
nursing, war service (aid to veterans and
men in the Army and Navy, Junior
Red Cross, services of volunteers, etc.
In addition, ALLEGATIONS are made to
chapters in Maryland and Virginia, whose
members are employed in the District
but desire to credit their memberships
to their home chapters.
The District chapters l941 budget en-
ables staff departments and volunteer
services to provide aid for the needy, to
prevent loss of life, and to teach preser-
vation of health and safety throughout
the year.
Whenever humanity is in distress, the
great heart of Washington is represented
by it's participation in the work of the
American Red Cross Here, in our own
community, in any place in the country
where disaster strikes, and any place in
the world where distress prevails, the
spirit of Washington's helpful sympathy
flies from the banner of the Red Cross,
Deeply enmeshed in the fabric OF
Washington's own life are the activities
of the District chapter.