The Connecticut Branch is organizing a subdivision in New Haven and
expects to complete the organization in a few days with a membership of
150 or more. A large subdivision is also being formed at Norwich. The
Bristol subdivision, which is the only one of its kind in the country,
being composed entirely of boys, has sent a generous contribution to the
Japanese famine fund. The “Hartford Courant” has been most energetic and
successful in its collections for the famine fund and the National
Treasurer has received a number of contributions from that paper.
General Charles Bird, U.S.A., President of the Delaware Branch, writes:
“The Delaware Branch of the American National Red Cross has effected a
complete organization with a strong membership committee and a
sub-committee to act with the Executive Committee in arranging for the
enrollment of surgeons, physicians and trained nurses to be ready to
respond to a call for any emergency. The work of these committees is
hampered somewhat on account of a lack of public interest, growing out
of the fact that there does not seem to be any active work for the Red
Cross at present. Efforts are being made to increase the interest on the
ground of being prepared for the emergency when it comes. The
subdivisions in the lower part of the State are well organized and ready
to work when calls are made upon them.”
The District of Columbia Branch is preparing to hold a mass meeting on
March 30th at the Belasco Theatre in Washington, at which Secretary of
War Taft and several other prominent speakers will deliver addresses on
the subject of the Red Cross. It is also expected that two Army Surgeons
who were present with the Russian and Japanese Armies in Manchuria will
speak of what they saw of Red Cross work during the late war in the Far
East.
Subdivisions of the Illinois Branch have recently been organized at
Danville, Aurora and Rock Island, with a membership of over one hundred
at Danville. Since the publication of the Annual Report of the Red
Cross, Illinois has reported the enrollment of a number of doctors and
nurses.
The Secretary of the Maine Branch reports that that Society is “slowly
but surely improving and getting ready to do good work.” Earnest efforts
are being made to increase the membership.
The Maryland Branch, like the District of Columbia Branch, contemplates
holding a mass meeting on the 5th of April. These meetings are expected
to arouse much interest and assist considerably in enlarging the
membership.
The Massachusetts Branch “is too busily engaged with the famine fund to
write much for the Bulletin.” The Bulletin is glad of this opportunity
to congratulate the Massachusetts Branch upon its successful efforts in
behalf of the Japanese famine sufferers. Massachusetts ranks first among
the Branch Societies in amount contributed for this fund.
The New York State Branch has appointed Mr. William Chauncy Langdon,
Secretary of the Executive Committee, and Mr. Langdon is actively
engaged in organizing subdivisions throughout the State. Subdivisions
have already been formed in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and
Brooklyn, in Oneida and Westchester Counties, and in Islip Township of
Long Island. The Oneida County Subdivision has the largest membership,
155, 12 of whom are life members. The total membership in New York State
is 790.
The Cleveland Subdivision of the Ohio Branch reports the enrollment of a
number of doctors and nurses.
On March 14th “The Pennsylvania Branch of the American National Red
Cross” was organized, with headquarters in Philadelphia. The following
officers were elected: President, Talcott Williams; treasurer, Mrs. A.
J. Cassatt; vice-presidents, Captain John S. Muckle, Miss Anne Thompson,
Hon. H. Kirke Porter, of Pittsburg; Hon. Vance McCormick, of Harrisburg;
Bishop Alexander Mackay-Smith and George H. Frazier; secretary, Joseph
Allison Steinmetz.
Money sent by the American National Red Cross to the Philippine Branch
for the typhoon sufferers has been gratefully acknowledged by that
Society. The practical sympathy thus shown for the unfortunate sufferers
from that disaster conclusively and promptly proved the value of the Red
Cross organization. The Philippine Branch has reported recently over one
hundred members.
The Secretary of the Rhode Island Branch writes:
“The Rhode Island Branch is receiving cordial support from the
community. The number of annual members is increasing, as is also the
number of life members. The subscriptions for the relief of the Japanese
sufferers have been liberal and gifts are still coming into the fund for
that purpose.”
From letters and newspaper reports received from South Carolina, it is
evident that the officers are actively engaged in building up the
Society. We have also been informed that a considerable sum has been
collected for the Japanese Famine Fund.
The Central Committee hopes soon to be able to report the formation of a
State Branch in New Jersey and several other States.
The Executive Committee of the American National Red Cross some time ago
appointed a sub-committee to select a design and material for a new form
of Life Membership Certificate. These will be ready for issue soon, and
life members who have received the old form of certificate will be
furnished with the new certificate upon application.
A design of Red Cross pin to be worn by the members has been adopted,
and arrangements will soon be completed whereby all members desiring
pins or buttons will be able to procure them.
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