Show 4 26 D 0 41 A the business of the american red cross Is to fild aid in the prevention find and alleviation of human suffering in times of peace find and war it was originally organized to supplement the medical al services of armies in times of war I 1 when the american national red cross by act t of the united states congress approved january 5 1005 1905 was incorporated and placed under government supervision its purposes in addition to its duties in times of war were declared to be to continue and carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence famine fire floods and other national calamities la lami ties this organization has therefore a great work to do at nil all times for there Is always human suffering to be alleviated but now that the world la is racked with war its work la Is tremendous men dous and it is doing it in a way that should make every man woman or child who belongs to the red cross proud to be a member it Is the only nope hope of thousands of suffering human beings and stands between them and cold hunger sickness and despair despa lr it Is the instrument by which each one of us may make himself useful our only means of extending helping hands to the innocent victims of the war no one can start the new year in a better way than by joining the red cross and by aiding in the campaign for new members in time of war the red cross chapters handle their tivi ties through various comm committees ittem they undertake to raise and collect funds to manufacture hospital garments and supplies to take charge of 0 transportation and supplies to aid families of soldiers and sailors and their widows and children to train for and assist in securing self supporting positions for those permanently crippled or blinded in any one of these lines of work women have proved themselves efficient the manufacture of hospital garments and supplies Is left almost wholly to them while men handle the matter of raising and collecting funds and taking charge of transportation the work in hand just now calls for special activity in securing new members the business men in any community are the ones to undertake the planning and carrying out of campaigns for increased membership in the red cross in cities of considerable size good work Is often done ly by creating a rivalry between men in various lines of business the grocers undertaking der taking to secure a greater number of members for instance than the dry goods men or employees of one house entering into friendly competition with those of another house in the same line of business an able business man at the head bead of a drive tor for new members will be able to engineer it in the most practical and efficient way house to house canvassing for new members Is about the most thoroughgoing method |