PREFACE
With its January issue theRed Cross Bulletinbegins its fourth year. The fact that it is becoming of more general interest has led those in charge of the publication to increase its size that it may conform more to the appearance of other magazines. A new cover, symbolical of Red Cross work, will be provided for the April issue. As the expense of publishing theBulletinhas been a heavy drain upon the limited income of the Society, it has also been decided to accept advertisements, so that theBulletinmay in part pay for itself.
That, though elected President of the United States, Mr. Taft consented to be re-elected President of the American Red Cross is a fact upon which the Society is to be not only heartily congratulated, but for which it is most deeply grateful; that, while assuming the great duties and responsibilities of the highest office in the government, Mr. Taft still desires to associate himself in an active way with the American Red Cross is but another proof of his constant desire to be of service to his country and also testifies to his belief in the usefulness of the Society. The Red Cross has also been most fortunate in obtaining the consent of Mr. Robert W. de Forest to act as the Vice-President.
This issue contains reports and illustrations of the last two fields of Red Cross relief. A short sketch of the Russian Red Cross has kindly been prepared by a member of the Russian Embassy in Washington.
The complete story of the Red Cross Christmas stamp can be told only in the AprilBulletin. Its remarkable success is a great satisfaction.
We trust our members will read the officer’s reports, the articles on the Endowment Fund and the First-Aid Text-Books. The next problem that our National Society has to meet, and must meet successfully, for it is still young enough to have no such word as “Fail” in its lexicon, is the raising of such an Endowment Fund as will put our Society on a permanent basis and make it the equal of the great societies of the other countries of the world.
The First-Aid Text-Book cannot be too highly commended. We know too little what to do in case of accidents. When statistics show that one person out of every seven of the inhabitants of the United States is injured annually, and that in New York alone during the last three years the annual average of accidents on the surface, elevated and subway traction system has been 34,000, the necessity of the valuable information and instruction this book contains should be realized by everyone. Mr. William E. Curtis has kindly written for theBulletina review of the Text-Book, and a further notice in regard to it is contained in the advertising department.
Just as theBulletingoes to press the Executive Committee learned, through press reports and official channels, of the occurrence of an earthquake in Southern Italy of unprecedented severity, and started its relief machinery into motion by telegraphing the Red Cross Branches and the Governors of several States, requesting that an appeal be issued and contributions received for the relief of the sufferers. Reports of the work of relief and a financial statement will be printed in the AprilBulletin.
Hon. William Howard Taft, President of the American Red Cross, President of the United States, March 4, 1909.
Hon. William Howard Taft, President of the American Red Cross, President of the United States, March 4, 1909.