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2  RED CROSS WAR FUND

New York Red Cross Dedicates Uptown Information Center
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SPEAKERS EMPHASIZE WAR FUND DRIVE IS EVERYONE'S CAMPAIGN

Red Cross Illumination Symbolizes Opening of Its Campaign Office

Illumination of a large Red Cross climaxed the ceremonies attendant upon the dedication of the Red Cross Uptown Information Center at 590 Madison Ave. The ceremonies were held on the afternoon of January 12 and for the following two weeks this center was devoted to furnishing information to all who desire to help in Red Cross Work.

At this center the public was able to obtain information about Red Cross work as well as witness actual demonstrations of the many humanitarian services performed so skillfully and willingly by the Angels of Mercy of the Red Cross.  Also persons desiring to give financial aid could contribute at this center.

The dedication ceremony included addresses by Mr. Thos. J. Watson, who welcomed the gathering; Mr. Leon Fraser, Chairman of the Red Cross War Fund Drive in the New York City, who acted as chairman and told the audience of the work of the Red Cross today in relieving suffering in the Far East; Major General James J. Harbord, who discussed the purpose of the Information Center; Miss Clare Boothe, noted author and playwright, who told her observations of Red Cross work during her recent trip through the Far East; Hon. Newbold Morris, Acting Mayor of New York City for the day, who explained the significance of the Red Cross Center to the people of New York City, and Mrs. William Barclay Parsons, Jr., who explained the functions of the various branches of the Red Cross as workers marched upon the stage to show the audience the type of uniforms worn by each branch.

Mr. Fraser Throws Switch
Mr. Fraser threw the switch which illuminated the Red Cross to symbolize the opening of the information center. Mr. Fraser told the audience that IBM had donated $50,000 to the War Fund. Midway through the ceremony the entire audience of several hundred members and friends of the Red Cross sang the Star Spangled Banner.

The dedication ceremony was broadcast throughout the world, beamed by WRUL, short-wave radio station of the World Wide Broadcasting Foundation, in Boston, Mass., to reach not only Europe and Latin American, but Hawaii, the Philippines and the Far East. WQXR carried the program locally.

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MR. THOS. J. WATSON SAYS RED CROSSES DOES WORK FOR ALL OF US

Predicts War Fund Drive Will Surpass Hopes of Its Supporters

In greeting those present at the dedication
ceremonies, Mr. Thos. J. Watson said:

"I am very greatly honored to have the privilege of opening this meeting, which marks the beginning of the two-weeks' campaign for war funds for the Red Cross. During this period of two weeks all of the people in our community will have the privilege of participating in the raising of these funds.

"This campaign is everyone's campaign, not just that of the Red Cross. The Red Cross is simply doing the work for the rest of us. Now it is up to all of us to show our interest in the Red Cross, which is the No. 1 organization, in my estimation, coming right along with our armed forces. All of us who witness our young men going out ready to give their lives for this cause for which we are fighting need no other inspiration or urge to do our part.

"I predict that this present campaign will go far beyond the expectation of the men and women who are working so seriously to build up funds to enable the Red Cross to take care of our soldiers in the field and in the camps and at home. 

"It is my great privilege at this time to introduce to you the man who is heading the New York Drive, Mr. Leon Fraser. As President of the First National Bank of New York, he has distinguished himself as a financier. He distinguished himself as an internationalist while serving as President of the Bank for International Settlement in Switzerland. He has distinguished himself in his participation in all civic affairs. He is a Trustee of Columbia University, Union College, Trinity School; member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he is giving of his time and ability, looking forward to the future when all of our organizations will be able to participate in plans for lasting peace."

HON. NEWBOLD MORRIS LAUDS WORK IN WAR AND CIVILIAN DEFENSE

New York's Acting Mayor Points to Assistance All Over the World

Text of the remarks of the Hon. Newbold Morris, Acting Mayor of New York City for the day, on the occasion of the dedication of the Red Cross Uptown Information Center on January 12, follows:

"I don't know how many of us realize what the Red Cross means not only in our own country, not only in extraordinary times, but in ordinary, every-day life throughout the world. The Red Cross is the disaster relief agency of the American people.

"It is important because it involves the expenditures of millions of dollars even in normal times for the alleviation of distress within our own borders, due to disaster, and, even more important, for humanity throughout the world. I think the rest of the world should remember that the American people through the Red Cross pour their millions of dollars out to help those who are in distress. It matters very little whether it is famine in China, destitution in Poland, starvation in Belgium, yes, or even an earthquake in Japan.

"In ordinary times of peace, our people through the American Red Cross subscribe to alleviate the misery due to disaster. Now the Red Cross will be in the front line trenches, in the front lines with our armed forces, and it means a good deal to the citizens of our great metropolitan areas that the Red Cross will be on the job, because this kind of warfare is not restricted to any particular battle front. The war is in the streets, at the doors of the civilian, and great industrial areas are, of course, very natural targets.

"Most important of all, the fact that the Red Cross has been so magnificently organized and prepared for this long before the trouble broke, should be reassuring to the people of New York and the other great cities of our country.

"We are trying to keep business going on as usual, because American business must support this great war effort. If our people understand that any disaster can be taken care of through the cooperation of local defense councils and the American Red Cross, we will defeat the most sordid of all enemies--panic and the desire of people to flee from congested areas.

"The Red Cross is mobilized to alleviate any kind of disaster right here in the streets, on the sidewalks of New York. For that reason we must support it. We must support it with private funds, as it always has been supported.

"Back on September 4, of 1941, I remember a joint statement of the American Red Cross and the New York City Defense Council, announcing their plan for cooperation. Here in this Information Center New Yorkers may learn--those who want to enroll and help with the American Red Cross--where they are best fitted to serve and what kind of training they can take.

"I believe, Mr. Fraser, the New York citizens will respond to the year-round effort of the American Red Cross in a manner for which New Yorkers are so famous when they understand the cause. This time the cause is ours and I ask everyone in the City of New York to support the American Red Cross, because now it is our agency fo disaster right here in the City of New York."


[[image 1]]
The New York Chapter of the American Red Cross officially opened its Uptown Information Center on Monday, January 12, at Madison Ave. and East 57th St. The official opening of the center was symbolized by Mr. Leon Fraser throwing a switch which illuminated a huge Red Cross at one end of the floor. Grouped about the cross in the above picture are some who participated in the dedicatory ceremonies. Left to right: the Hon. Newbold Morris, President of the New York City Council and Acting Mayor on the day; Miss Clare Boothe, noted author and playwright; Mr. Leon Fraser, Chairman of the Red Cross War Fund of Greater New York; Major General James G. Harbord, Chairman of the New York Chapter of the Red Cross, and Mr. Thos. J. Watson. 


Miss Clare Boothe Tells About Red Cross Abroad

Following are the remarks of Miss Clare Boothe, playwright, at the dedication of the Red Cross Uptown Information Center on January 12:

"Now at long last all Americans know that the whole world is our battleground. But the Red Cross, with vast and merciful vision, knew that long ago. The Flag of the American Red Cross was planted down on every battle field, on every continent, months--even years--ago. The Army of the Red Cross has always been prepared.

"Wherever, in Europe or Asia, in these past two and a half tragic years, I have seen our Allies take up arms to meet the advancing foe, I have always seen another great army swing swiftly into action; this good and great and strong army of the Red Cross. I have seen, in Belgium and France during the Blitz, its soldiers first in every bloody field, in the front lines and behind them, succoring the wounded soldier and civilian alike--over and over again, snatching the priceless gift of life from the very arms of death, for thousands of men and women and children.

"I have seen on the streets of Chunking, after a very savage Japanese air raid, how the litters and ambulances of the Red Cross, first at their battle stations, have been last to leave disaster's scene. I have seen them, with skilled and gentle hands and steely nerves, dispense those blessed supplies which you sent them long ago from here, up the long and tortuous Burma Road... clothing, food, medical supplies. In China, they say, five million of our Chinese allies have benefited from your Red Cross. 

"In the Philippines this simmer, I saw your Red Cross working tirelessly against time, feverishly organizing the means and methods by which the inevitable long day of terror and long night of pain might be less terrible for your soldiers and their allies to endure. How many lived the 360 thousand dollars which you bad sent to the Philippines by December 7th to your Red Cross there, have saved we can only guess. For the Jap has dropped an awful curtain of bombs and steel-a curtain of silence between your Red Cross out there and you. But we do know that at least one Red Cross ship had sailed through that curtain of flame over Manila, bearing to a haven of refuge in Australia, many of your wounded back to you.

"And now, everywhere, the American flag goes out to meet the flag of the Red Cross in the field. You Americans have put them both there. You must keep them both there, fighting and marching side by side to peace and victory."

Cross, you would be here until late this evening. So we have picked only the services in which persons, after they have taken a course in the Red Cross and have had active hours of service, are allowed to wear their uniforms. 

"I shall describe each of these uniform services in a very general way. We hope it will whet your appetite so that you will want to come to the information center and find out more about them. 

"First of all, I will call for the Nurses' Aides. As they stand up here on this side of the platform, you see there are two different kinds of uniform. The pink uniform was worn before the war started, Civilian Defense asked if we would have the Nurses' Aide in this blue uniform. After the first of May the Nurses' Aide must appear in this uniform.  

"Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 50. After a 35-lecture course and 45 hours of practice in the wards under a professional nurse, they are trained to supplement the services of the professional nurses in clinics and wards of civilian hospitals. They are now working in 16 hospitals in New York, and there are 19 classes of Nurses' Aides now being conducted. 

"Next I will present the staff assistants. There are two uniforms for staff assistants. The yellow one is for the staff assistants, and the white, with yellow, is for the roll call. 

GEN. JAMES G. HARBORD DESCRIBES PURPOSES OF THE NEW CENTER

Chairman of the N.Y. Chapter Stresses Need for Information Office

Following are the remarks of General James. G. Harbord, Chairman of the New York chapter of the American Red Cross at the opening of the Red Cross Uptown Information Center on January 12: 

"Once more in a great national emergency the Red Cross stands in its traditional attitude as the symbol of the American people united in national sympathy and mercy. Among the fifteen millions of devoted members rallied under our banner are men and women from every walk in life,- banded together for the one great objective of helpful service to suffering humanity.  In its great relief undertakings the Red Cross has always had the unbought assistance of men and women of outstanding ability and prestige in American life. It has depended upon their wise counsel and fine generosity. Such a man is the donor of what we today dedicate as a Red Cross Information Center, a place for enrolling in Red Cross Volunteer Services and Instruction Classes. 

"This is the up-town headquarters for Red Cross Information of every kind, - a veritable 'Information Please' with the answer to every kind of Red Cross question, being likewise the up-town Headquarters for the War Drive Fund, and for the acceptance of War Fund donations. This whole splendid setting is the gift, Mr. Thos. J. Watson, President of International Business Machines. The entire ground floor of this imposing building, its telephones, its design and facilities of every kind, - the whole floor and its equipment are turned over by Mr. Watson for a period of two weeks with no expense whatever to the New York Chapter of the Red Cross. 

"It will be directed, and may I say adorned, by members of our Co-ordinating Committees among whom are Mrs. George Watson, Mrs. William Barclay Parsons, Jr., Mrs. Duncan G. Harris, Mrs. E. Roland Harriman, and Mrs. Henry S. Breckinridge. 

"The attractiveness of this scene and the matchless spirit of those who participate in it are most encouraging. They are characteristic of the way Mr. Watson and his people do things. On behalf of the New York Chapter, may I extend to you, Sir, my most appreciative thanks for your generosity. This graceful and princely gift. With this I declare this Red Cross Information Center officially opened."

MR. FRASER, CHAIRMAN OF FUNDS HAILS WAR WORK OF RED CROSS

Cites Rescue of Wounded at Pearl Harbor and Work in Philippines 

Text of the remarks of Mr. Leon Fraser, General Chairman, American Red Cross War Fund, given at the dedication of the Red Cross Uptown Information Center on January 12: 

"You have very justly said, Mr. Watson, that this is a people's campaign. What we are endeavoring to do, at the orders of the President of the United States, who is also President of the Red Cross, is to enlist in the Red Cross every American citizen. 

"In the last war there were thirty million members of the Red Cross; in this we should have sixty million. The President has asked for a contribution of fifty million dollars to help the work of the Red Cross. The Red Cross is whatever the armed forces are; it is in Iceland, it is in Manila, it is in Honolulu; and the Red Cross will be wherever the enemy bombs drop.

"You think it is very comfortable here this afternoon, but it is not so comfortable in Singapore, and it may not be so comfortable here or in other cities of the United States before we are through with this great struggle. 

"The Red Cross is the official auxiliary of the Army and Navy, and we solicit your assistance in this cause. If you are behind the war, if you are behind the President, if you are behind the Army and Navy, then you must be behind the Red Cross. We cannot all join the Army and Navy, but we can all support the Red Cross. If we cannot go-give. Those of us who remain behind must give for those who fight. 

"Fighting-fighting brings to mind the Marines in Wake Island; it brings to mind the Marines of the last war, so gallantly led at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood; and do you know who led the Marines there? You know that he was a Major General who was Chief-of-Staff of General Pershing, and who led the Second Division at Soissons when the Germans were driven back. That gentleman and that gallant hero is head of the Red Cross Chapter, Chairman of the Board of the City of New York. I mention that connection because it indicates better than any other way how the Army is behind the Red Cross, and the Red Cross is behind the Army."

"In a course of 12 lectures these volunteers are trained to help with office work, reception and information desk. They do typing, filing, help with roll call, assist other services or where ever they are needed. A Roll Call volunteer just helps in raising money. That uniform is only used in Roll Call work. You may be interested to know that 55,000 people came into the chapter house last month. If it had not been for our staff assistants, the chapter would have been in a very had way indeed.

"Now I would like the Motor Corps to stand up. These volunteers, after extensive first aid instruction and a mechanics course, are ready for many forms of active service. They continue their regular work of taking patients to and from clinics and are now transporting for the canteens wherever they may be functioning. They are meeting the boats that are coming in with evacuees from foreign countries and they man ambulances in ten hospitals in the City of New York. These ambulances will be used in case of disaster.

"I would like to present next the Canteen workers. There are two different kinds of canteens. One does service in the chapter house and in the veterans service. The other is the Disaster Canteen.

"These workers serve in a chapter house cafeteria and are on call at all times. They are trained to feed a thousand people in one hour in an emergency. They have a reserve behind them to feed an indefinite number if people for an indefinite period. They feed troops in transit at the request of the Army and Navy. Among other duties they are now feeding daily several thousand men who are in line, registering for the Army and Navy at 90 Church Street.

"Next we come to the Braille Corps. These volunteers, after a course of lessons, are able to transcribe books into braille for the blind. Other volunteers in braille bind. Other volunteers in braille bind the books. Most of the transcribing is done at home, but many of the books are bound at the chapter house.

"The production workers are next. Do you notice that this is a different uniform? This cotton uniform is the latest uniform and is gong to be worn by all

(Continued on page 4, col. 1)

[[image 2]]
Volunteers Display Uniforms in Pageant of Red Cross Services
Mrs. William Barclay Parsons, Jr., of the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross is shown above surrounded by Red Cross workers attired in the costumes symbolic of their various corps. Mrs. Parsons told the audience present at the dedication of the new uptown information center about the duties, activities and requirements for volunteer workers in each of eight of the corps.
Wide World Photo



Transcription Notes:
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