Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-02
10000 Volunteers
Begin Red Cross
Campaign Here

Twenty thousand volunteer
solicitors in the Washington area
embark today on the 1853 Red
Cross fund campaign opened Of
flcially across the Nation yester-
day by President Eisenhower.
The President, in a message
carried by major radio and tele-
vision networks. told how he has
known the Red Cross IN peace
and.,in two world wars.
Whatever the time or the
need" he said. ''it is dedicated
to. strengthening the Nation by
helping people to help themselves
and their neighbors.'
He called the Red Cross zone
of the free institutions which
has helped to make this coun-
try great, and declared it is an
American privilege to support its
fund appeal.
$93 Million Goal.
Against a national goal of 500
million, the Washington Metro
politan Area campaign will seek
1881 900 during the month-long
appeal.
r. Roy Dunn, president of the
Potomac Electric Power Co., who
heads the combined drive of the
District. Montgomery, Prince
Georges, Arlington, Fairfax and
Prince William Counties and
Alexandria chapters. presided at
a huge opening rally last night
In Constitution Hall.
In a campaign eve statement,
he declared that the fund appeal
holds even greater significance
this year-causing an. increase
of $145, 700 over last years cam
paign goal.
This, he said, is because "the
Red Cross now carries two vital
new responsibilities affecting our
communities health and our
overseas Servicemen's welfare"
Meeting our higher goal will
not be an easy task" said Mr..
Dunn. Larger gifts and more
contributors-10l2 per cent more
will be necessary" He added,
however, that he had confidence
In the strength and ability of
campaign leaders and the devo-
ton Of volunteers.
So Million Higher
- The national goal is So mil
lion higher than last years, be-
cause of a commitment to the
Office of Defense Mobilization to
collect IL million more pints Of.
blood this year for processing
into gamma Globulin. polio pre-
ventative, and to the Defense De-
partment for expanded recrea-
ton services for overseas armed
forces.
The Metropolitan Area quota
increase is the local part in these
new national programs. =
President Eisenhower was in
troduced by E. Roland Hartman,
national Red Cross president, as
the honorary chairman of the
organization.
Leroy A. Lincoln, chairman of
the board of directors of the
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.,
and chairman of the national
Red Cross fund appeal, declared
that "18 million adult members
with nearly two million volun-
teers carry on the work for which
Congress created this organiza-
tom
: Entertainment Programs
1.-The Presidents appeal CHI
NAKED separate ha1f-hour radio
and television kickoff programs.
The radio program was a dra-
matte show presenting actress
Shirley Booth, based on reports
of Red Cross hospital worker
in Korea. Television offered a
variety show featuring Tallulah
Bandhead. Red Buttons, Bob
Hope, Jane Froman and other
personalities.
The Metropolitan Area rally
last night preceded the broadcast
Of the United States Steel Corp.
Theater Guild on the Air per-
Torrance of "O'Halloran' Luck"
a Stephen Vincent Benet comedy
starring James Stewart, John
Lund and Gloria DeHaven.
The National Broadcasting Co.
program featured also a recorded
talk by Gen. James Van Fleet,
retired commander Of the 9Th
Army.
my men Of 9th Army sup
ported the Red Cross with their
blood to aid their wounded
comrades. and with their money
to keep the Red Cross function
ing both at home and abroad"
he continued. Surely, we who