Red Cross Department [pp. 178-191]

OVERLAND MONTHLY
almost entirely to the work of her exacting position.
Other officers were elected and chairmen of corn
mittees appointed.
First Vice-President, Mrs. Louis Sloss; Second
Vice-President, Mrs. W. R. Smedberg; Recording Secretary. Mrs. W. R. Eckart; Corresponding Secretary,
Mrs J. A. de Greayer; Treasurer, Mr. Wm. Alvord; Assistant Treasurer, Mr. W. B. Harrington; Bank of
Deposit, Bank of California.
Executive Committee: Mrs. W. P. Morgan, Mrs. Florence Moore, Miss Betty
Ashe, Miss Alice Stincen, Miss Anna Beaver, Mrs. E.
R. Dimond, Miss Susie McEwen Mrs. Martinez, Mrs. C.
R. Winslow, Mr. Samuel Knight, Mrs. I. Lowenberg,
Miss Wethered, Mrs. G H. Buckingham, Dr. G. F. Hanson, Mrs. F. G. Sanborn; Mrs. Wendell Easton, Mrs.
W. B. Harrington, Mrs. Louis Sloss, Mrs. Edna Snell,
Poulson, Mr. Frank J. Symmes, Mrs. Frank J. Symmes,
Mr. A. Mack, Miss Carrie Gwin, Colonel W.'R. Parnell,
Miss Elizabeth Blanchard, Mrs. J. G. Clarke, Mrs. L. L.
Dunbar, Mrs. W. H. Mills, Mrs. A. P. Redding, J. F.
Merrill, Andrew Carrigan, Mrs. Henry Gibbons, Jr.,
Mrs. Addie Ballou, Rabbi Voorsanger, Rabbi Nieto,
Mrs. A. S. Hubbard, Mr. C. L. P. Marais, Mrs. E. C.
Wright, Mrs. Fannie Lent, Mrs. P. A. Hearst, Mrs.
Horace Davis.
Chairmen of Committees: Hospital Visiting, Mrs. W. B. Harrington (afterwards Mrs. Gibbons); Finance, Mrs. W. P. Morgan;
Subscription, Mrs. L. Sloss; On Nurses, Mrs. Wendel,
Easton; Purchasing, Mrs. W. R. Smedberg; Member ship Badges, Mrs. E. C. Wright; Identification Badges
Mrs. H. Martinez; Printing, Mr. John F. Merrill; En tertainments, Mrs. E. S. Poulson; By-Laws, Mr. A.
MAack; Ferry Hospitality, Mrs. Lowenberg; Press, Miss
Anne Bryce; Information, Mrs. A. P. Redding; Audit ing, Mr. John F. Merrill; Stores, Mrs. F. J. Symmes;
Ambulance. Miss Ashe; Schools, Miss Stincen; Clubs,
Miss Beaver.
During June there were but four meetings of the
Executive Committee. The re-organization of the
local Society and the re-forming of committees has
been accomplished. Not the least important feature
of the month's work has been the establishment of a
permanent and efficient Bureau of Information; both
at li Post street and at the Headquarters in the
Spreckels building. The committee is informed upon
subjects pertaining to the moving of troops, their
location in camps, the needs of the men, etc. They
are at their posts all day and cheerfully answer all
questions.
On June 11th the Committee was principally occu pied with the consideration of the Constitution and
iBy-Laws of the Society. The report of the Commit tee was received and the Constitution adopted.
The most interesting item recorded on the minutes
of June 17th was the order to send a fund of $150)
to the First California Volunteers under Colonel Smith
at Manila as a regimental purse; $500 was also given
for the use of the Heavy Artillery under Major Rice.
Early in the history of the Society it became necessary to open a store-house for the reception of donations of goods and for the temporary storing of articles bought and awaiting shipment. Mrs. Theo. E.
Smith was appointed Manager, and Mrs. Frank J
Symmes of the Executive Committee, devised and
formulated the system of requisitions which is in
force today.
No work of the Red Cross Society has received more
unhesitating commendation from the Army officials
than the preparation and presentation of Identification
Badges. The idea was suggested by the long rows of
graves marked "unknown" of the Civil War. The
Identification Badge consists of an aluminum medal
about the size of a half-dollar and upon it is inscribed
the number, company, and regiment, of the wearer.
The badge is hung around the neck. Every man who
has left us for the front has been provided with one.
The California Volunteers were supplied by the
Red Cross of San Francisco. officers and men, also
the Signal Corps and Engineers from California.
Mrs. Henry Martinez, Chairman, reports as follows:
"Telegrams were sent to all the States asking if
they desired to furnish their men with the badge.
Wyoming, Kansas, and Utah, responded at once. The
badges were prepared and the bills sent to the governors of the States. Governor Richards of Wyoming
personally distributed the badge to his troops. Idaho,
Nebraska, Colorado, and Nevada, sent money for the
badges. Several of the States have not been heard
from, but the men are all furnished as they leave and
the bills will no doubt be paid by the respective States.
Mrs. Long of Oakland, wife of Major Long, has ordered badges for all the regular troops who have gone,
also for the Astor Battery and the Hospital Corps, the
Iowa troops and the men from North and South Dakota.
Minnesota badges were sent from home, but as they
were not exactly what was expected, the Red Cross
was pleased to present the regiment with a full set in
acknowledgment of many favors received from the
regiment in connection with entertainments."
It has been a source of regret to the Society that
the Membership badges have been delivered with
so much delay. In justice to the Society and the firm
who have manufactured them, it must be stated that
the press of government work has prevented their
filling our orders more promptly. The first thousand
were presented to the Society by the San Francisco
Co//. The Membership badge is supplied by the Society without charge as a pledge of membership.
Badges are now on hand in sufficient numbers to fulfill
all demands.
The Ferry Postal work originated with Miss Cecilia
Burke. Finding a runaway boy amongst the troops at
the Ferry, who had enlisted without the knowledge or
iso