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As the Red Cross drive enters upon its second day, the committee wishes to reemphasize the fact that each canvasser must see every man in his territory. It is hoped that the money collected will go to the disabled World War Veterans of Cambridge representing a contribution from every undergraduate in the University. Although the average contribution should be between five and ten dollars, some men will be unable to give this much, so that those who can are urged to give more.
When soliciting contributions canvassers should carry a letter from B. DeL. Nash '23, chairman of the committee, as a means of indentification to the college police. There will be a meeting tomorrow evening at 7.15 o'clock in the Randolph Hall Breakfast Room at which all money that has been collected will be turned over to the committee.
Praises Work of Committee
In a recent letter to Mrs. Annie L. Chesley, chairman of the Home Service Committee of the Cambridge Red Cross, President Eliot expressed the following appreciation of the work which this week's drive is attempting to benefit:
"I think that the service for disabled ex-soldiers of the Home Service Section of the Cambridge Chapter of the American Red Cross should be continued until such time as the Government proves itself ready and competent to render it. It is doubtful whether the Government ever can serve the disabled or incompetent soldiers well except in one direction, the maintenance of good hospitals and asylums under the management of the National Health Service. Ever since our soldiers began to return from France the Red Cross has been doing for them many things that the Government is not prepared to do.
"It would be difficult, if not impossible, for any Government Bureau to serve the sick and disabled ex-soldiers as well as the Red Cross organization can. Customary Government action is slower and less elastic than that of the Red Cross, and is more apt to be pauperizing in its tendency. The Red Cross methods are more sympathetic, confidential, and humane."
Situation a Serious One
The seriousness of the situation which gives rise to the drive is evidenced by the fact that 2857 disabled soldiers come under the scope of the Cambridge branch of the Red Cross. Of these the men to whom the chapter renders actual assistance, may be divided into several classes. In emergency cases, the Red Cross does actual hospital work, but with the vast majority of men the organization leaves this side of the work to the state and city hospitals, while it attends to another branch of service almost equal in importance to the actual caring for the sick and wounded; namely, supervision of the disabled man's family and assistance in securing for him a position which his crippled condition will permit him to fill.
In addition to the hospital patients slightly disabled veterans who are unable to find work, men who have been cut off from their compensation due to failure to report for a stipulated physical examination, and tubercular and mental cases who prefer home treatment, all come under the scope of the Red Cross. Cambridge men stranded in other cities and residents of different places unable to get home because of lack of funds may receive loans from this organization, while foreign-born or illiterate soldiers receive assistance in filing papers and in securing means of employment. The Red Cross thus assists a large body of men and their families not only for the present time, but also, by means of medical treatment, financial aid, and assistance in legal and technical matters, helps them for the future as well.
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