Evening star., 1947-03-03
Red Cross Aides
Start S787, $50
Drive Today
Eisenhower and
Marshall Stress
Continued Need

Continued Need
Volunteer workers In the Red
Cross fund drive to raise $7s7 $50
q this area today began solicita-
lion among business and Govern
ment employees after hearing Secre-
tary Of State Marshall last night
call the Importance Of Red Cross
work greater today than during the
war years.
Secretary Marshall, Gen. Eisen-
hover, Army Chief of STAFF, and Red
Cross oficials spoke at q rally In
Constitution Hall saluting the 1a47
drive which will continue through
March. The Nationwide goal of
'he campaign Is $4,000, 900.
The first reports Of local contribu-
lions viii be made at 1880 pm. to-
morrow at the report luncheon
meeting Of drive workers in the
United States Chamber of Com
nerce Building. Several campaign
units, including the special gifts
unit, are expected to make reports.
An, almost capacity audience, in
cluding Mrs. Truman, last night
heard Gen. Eisenhower describe the
Red Cross as 'the expression of the
heart of America to the American
soldier" Basil O'Connor, national
chairman OF the Red Cross, and
Joseph G. Grew, chairman of the
Metropolitan area fund drive, were
among the Red Cross ofiicials who
spoke.
Il would not depreciate the value
OF the work of the Red Cross here or
with our troops, Gen. Marshall said
but I would like to draw attention
to its activities in the international
field for world peace.
Gifts Further Lasting Peace.
1--WE have q very sick world and
It's needs are not only material but
even more, perhaps, psychological
and spiritual. The individual con.
tributions which the people of the
United States give to the Red Cross
can have an important influence, on
the development Of lasting peace.
I'm this country and in all the
We are largely fortunate
people. We have our problems but
we can approach them without the
tributtons and ordeals that are COM
mon to Europe and Asia.
What Is needed, I repeat, Is not
only material aid. Psychological
and spiritual announcement Is
necessary in Europe and Asia SO
that the fragment OF hope left there
will not die. Desperate men, and
many of them in those countries are
becoming desperate, can easily be-
come desperate groups and endanger
world peace.
Il am sure the Red Cross will play
q large part in meeting the nAeds
Of the world today. The Importance
Of itsrwork Is greater today, than
during the war years the Secre-
tary of State concluded. rr@s',
Valuc 10 morale Cited.
Gen. Eisenhower said that when
the American soldier Is asked what
he thinks Of the Red Cross, he cant
speak of money or things. He talks
In terms Of courage, good cheer and
affection"
Typical Of my own memories Of
the Red Cross during the war" he
continued, "is of few men trudg-
ing along a road that is deep in
mud. They are bone weary. But
down the road they meet q Red
Cross clubmobile with girls hand
ing out doughnuts and coffee. There
Is a spring in their step as they
march on.
I'VE have many soldiers still
carrying on the. unfinished work,
men who are trying to see that we
never have another war" Gen.
Eisenhower continued. 'It is true,
that America provides the best Of
everything for its soldier and often
the soldier looks on this as good
business sense, but to the soldiers
of the United States, the Red Cross
is the expression Of the heart Of
America"
d. C. Tradition Recalled.
Washington has a great tradition
to live up to In this Red Cross cam
paign, Mr.. Grew, who presided at
the rally. said. During the last
four years." he declared, "Wash-
ington was among the three leading
cities In the amount of its oversuh-
scription Of its campaign. We must
maintain the teamwork of the war
years to match this record"
The Red Cross symbol is one Of
brotherhood, of help from "one man
to another" when help Is needed,
Mr.. O'Connor said, adding great
unfinished responsibilities lie be-
fore us" in these postwar years.
John Clifford Folger, chairman OF
the District Red Cross, described
some activities Of the local chapter
during the war He called the Red
Cross 'the greatest avenue Of good
will in the world"
Helen Hayes Stars in Play.
Following the rally, the Theater
Guild On the Air radio program was
presented from the stage Of Con-
stitution Hall, with Helen Hayes
starring In the play, What Every
Woman Knows" The program
which is sponsored by the United
States Steel Corp. was dedicated
to the Red Cross drive.
Benjamin F. Fairless. president OF
the corporation, spoke before the
was proud to join In the tribute to
the Red Cross"
Two Virginia Veterans Die