Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-03

A Red Cross fund campaign ex-
poses a cross section of humanity,
and in the long run, humanity
looks pretty good.
There are. to begin with, the
10000 Washingtonians who are
volunteering their time to collect
funds which will serve to better
the lives of their fellow men.
And there are the contributors
of more than 81 million so far,
toward the $1,385, 300 which this
years drive seeks in the Washing
ton Metropolitan Area.
But there are some who let
stories they haven't taken the
trouble to verify keep them from
the gift they might otherwise be
inclined to make.
Among those who are working
hard to make the campaign a
success are Mrs. Eloise Orme Rob-
inson. 1922 Columbia road NV,
and her two sons, Thomas A. and
William o. Robinson.
Sons Pitch in.
Mrs. Robinson is co-chairman
with her son William of Area 204
in Division 3 of the fund campaign
organization, and has volunteered
in several previous Red Cross cam
lpaigns. Her co-chairman, a teller
at the Washington Loan & Trust
Co., was an area chairman in last
years drive also.
Thomas A. Robinson, an en-
Igineer and patent attorney for the
Association of American Rail-
roads, is a volunteer solicitor in
the same area with his mother
and brother.
Mrs. Robinson takes the day
shift" Her sons do their cam
Ipaigning in the evenings. Their
territory covers many blocks rang
ing from Quarry road at the Zoo,
much Of Sixteenth street, Florida
avenue, Calvert road and Adams
Mill road.
The area includes apartment
houses, small businesses and
shops. The Robinsons have pro-
duced IS per cent of their fund
quota to date.
Pleasant Surprises.
Responses of the people they
visit vary in nature as much as
the people themselves do, they
report but most of the surprises
are pleasant ones.
William Robinson went to the
door of a house on Wyoming ave-
nue. after dark one day. There
was no answer, although he could
see light. He rang several times
before he saw some one approach
ing the door. but not opening it.
He rang again and held up a card
with a large Red Cross emblem
on it.
A nurse opened the door.
Since it's you. come in" she said.
But be very quiet. The lady of
the house is quite i'll. She won't
be able to give her contribution
until later, but I'll give mine right
now"
She wrote a check for $50, tell
ing Mr.. Robinson, I'm from
Maine. and up there we believe in
the 1.-THE system" .
MY constant amazement and
encouragement in this campaign
comes from the generosity of small
businesses which look like they
hardly are going concerns them
Selves" says Mrs. Robinson.
Poor Homes Give.
Mrs. Carroll L. Buxton, 4104
Twentieth street NE, a housewife
who works part time in a drug
store. says she sometimes hesi-
tates to ask for a contribution
when she sees some homes.
They look like they might be
needing help themselves" she re-
ports. But they usually are the
ones who offer something most
spontaneously, perhaps because
they understand trouble so well.
And they're terribly proud of the
Red Cross stickers I leave, even
when they can't afford a dollar"
Mrs. Buxton says it is often
those who can afford to give who
are the first to refuse or criticize.
For instance, a doctor who came
into the drug store. Asked wheth-
er he had made his donation, he
replied. why should I give to help
tronado victims when I've read
about Federal and State aid to|
the tornado zones?"
The Red Cross explains that
Federal and State aid go only to
replace roads, bridges and other
such property. and not for the
people in need themselves. The
Red Cross takes care of the long
drawn-out rebuilding of homes
and other rehabilitation Of fam
lilies with no means Of their own.
Solicitors still are hearing some