The Red Cross participated actively in the care of ill and injured during
the various ceremonies incident to the inauguration of President Wilson,
March 4, 1913.
On the morning of Sunday, March 2, a small emergency hospital was
established in a room set aside for the purpose at the Union Station.
This continued in operation till the morning of Thursday, March 6, and
was open for patients day and night.
On the morning of March 3, two small Red Cross tent hospitals were
opened, one in rear of the Sherman Statue and the other in Lafayette
Square. These were in operation till the close of the Suffrage Parade the
same afternoon. In addition five ambulances were stationed along the line
of march for this parade. Two of these were near the Peace Monument, one
at Seventh street, one at Twelfth street, and one at Fifteenth street.
Very few patients sought assistance or were brought to these hospitals
or ambulances on this afternoon. All received were promptly treated and
properly disposed of.
On March 4, the day of the inauguration, besides the hospital at Union
Station the Red Cross had in its charge tent hospitals east of the
Capitol, in rear of the Sherman Statue and in Lafayette Square. The
second was also open during the fireworks or till about 11 p. m.
At these stations the number of patients treated was as follows:
Union Station 64
East of the Capitol 23
Rear of Sherman Statue 19
Lafayette Square 12
Ambulances, March 3 15
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Major Charles Lynch. Medical Corps, U. S. A., was in charge of the
emergency service. Miss Jane A. Delano, Chairman of the Nursing Committee
of the American Red Cross, acted for that committee in the necessary
arrangements so far as it was concerned. Miss Anna J. Greenlees served
as director of Red Cross nurses, and Mrs. Theodora North McLaughlin
represented the District Chapter. The physicians on duty at the stations
were members of the Inaugural Sub-committee on Ambulances and Hospitals.
The nurses were Red Cross nurses of the District of Columbia and the Boy
Scouts were supplied by the local Boy Scout organization.
It will be noted that no very great demands were made on the emergency
service of the Red Cross during the inaugural period. Most of the
patients required rest rather than medication or hospital treatment. This
they were able to obtain at the Red Cross Stations. These also sheltered
a few cases of serious illness and for all everything possible was done.
The weather conditions were in marked contrast with those of four years
ago, which contributed largely to reducing the number of cases requiring
emergency treatment.
The thanks of the Red Cross are due to the following physicians, nurses
and Boy Scouts for services which, while by no means spectacular, were
thoroughly creditable in every respect.