The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 2, April 1909)

by American National Red Cross

HOW NEW YORK RAISED FUNDS FOR ITALY

The experience of the New York State Branch in raising relief funds for a considerable number of disasters shows that several simple but indispensable things must be done in order to ensure adequate contributions—adequate, that is to say, to the emergency needs, and, as it will no doubt interest many Red Cross members to know what these things are and how they have been done, a brief description of the last appeal is offered.

When on the morning of December 29th last word came to the State Headquarters in New York City from Mr. Magee, the national secretary, authorizing and directing an appeal to the public for funds wherewith to meet the needs of stricken Sicily and Calabria, the secretary of the State Branch, Mrs. William K. Draper, and the state field agent were with the office secretary. For such an emergency there is a recognized program of work. The first thing to be done, of course, was to publish the appeal. At once, within an hour, notices were sent to all of the local newspapers. This notice stated that the American Red Cross had appealed to the people of the United States in behalf of the earthquake sufferers; that all funds sent to the State Treasurer, Mr. Jacob H. Schiff, at the State Headquarters would be forwarded with the utmost expedition through the federal state department to the Italian Red Cross, and that all persons sending their contributions in this way would have the fullest assurance that the money would reach the desired destination, and would learn later from official Red Cross reports how it was spent. Subsequently three ladies, members of the State Branch, visited all of the newspaper offices in the city and enlisted the co-operation of the editors in keeping before the public the function and record of the Red Cross, and the name and address of its local treasurer. It was realized that in order to get the best results the name and address ought to be printed every day by the papers in a conspicuous position. Unless this were done day after day, many persons inclined to give would forget this detail and let the occasion pass.

The chairman of the state executive committee, Mr. Cleveland H. Dodge, had meantime been notified. He satisfied himself by personal inquiry that all necessary measures were being taken to give publicity to the appeal and handle the contributions when received. The State Branch has twenty subdivisions, and these in case of similar disasters have been informed by letter, the small saving of time generally not justifying the expense of telegraphing. In this important instance, however, the chairman directed that the subdivisions should be notified by telegraph. Within an hour or two, therefore, every subdivision secretary in the state was advised of the appeal, and the morning papers in each locality published it, together with the name and address of the local treasurer, and a statement that the Red Cross, as the official emergency relief organization, was the proper channel for the transmission of funds to Italy. These telegraphic messages were followed by letters of formal direction.

The Branch’s responsibilities were not discharged by these efforts. We all know that a large portion of the public does not realize the significance of the Red Cross, even in time of the most important functions. Confused by the many claims on its attention, this portion of the people hesitates as to the advisable course to take and ends by waiting for fuller information. It was, therefore, of the greatest assistance to the cause of practical relief that the President of the United States, in his proclamation of the disaster, should point out the Red Cross as the proper depository for popular contributions. When Governors and Mayors do the same the representation is impressive and convincing. One of the earliest acts of the Secretary of the State Branch, therefore, was to write to Governor Hughes to request him to follow the example of the President and direct the public to the Red Cross, though naming the Treasurer of the State Red Cross. Communication with the Governor’s secretary by long-distance wire followed. The Governor readily appreciated the wisdom of the proposal and issued the following proclamation:

“To the People of the State of New York:

“The calamity which has visited Southern Italy and Sicily must not only excite our deep sympathy with those so suddenly stricken, but our desire to aid in the relief of their pressing necessities. To this we are prompted by humane impulse and by our friendly interest in the people so largely represented among our citizens.

“I recommend that contributions be made through the New York State Branch of the American National Red Cross, which is in communication with the Italian Red Cross and has undertaken to receive and forward funds offered for relief.

“It may be hoped that the generosity of our people, which has had such beneficent illustration in the past, may again have abundant expression.

“Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the city of Albany this thirtieth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eight.

“(Signed) CHARLES E. HUGHES.

“By the Governor:
“ROBERT H. FULLER,
“Secretary to the Governor.”

“The New York State Branch of the American National Red Cross has offices at 500 Fifth avenue, New York City, and contributions may be made to its Treasurer, Mr. Jacob H. Schiff, there or at the address of Kuhn, Loeb & Company, 52 William street, New York City.”

Mayor McClellan, of New York City, when similarly approached issued an announcement, stating that the City Hall Fund then being raised would be turned over to the Red Cross for record and transmission and this was done.

Desirable as it is that all relief funds, however raised, should at least be passed through the Red Cross in order to receive public and uniform accounting and speedy transmission, the fact, nevertheless, is that not a few associations and individuals desire to raise funds and themselves forward them. On this account the Italians of New York City naturally enough organized their own relief committee, with the Italian Consul-General, Raybaudi Massiglia, and the American delegate of the Italian Red Cross, Mr. Lionello Perera, represented on it. The New York State Branch of the American Red Cross at once placed itself in communication with this committee. Colonel Sanger, the President of the New York State Branch, also at a later day paid a personal call. The funds collected by this organization, however, were sent directly to Italy to the Italian Red Cross, and not through the American Red Cross. Another committee, called the American-Italian relief committee, was organized and is still engaged in raising funds by the sale of memorial cards. It forwards the funds direct to the Italian Red Cross.

Many benefit performances were given in opera houses, theatres and public halls. To the managers of these performances and to the promoters of every relief fund being raised in the city, as fast as announcement of it was made the secretary wrote, asking that the funds collected be sent through the Red Cross as the recognized channel for relief. In some cases personal interviews were had with managers by the Red Cross held agent. The desire in doing this was not, of course, to limit the generosity or to discourage the independent collection of funds, but, as stated, to procure a public, uniform and central accounting. Many societies acceded to the suggestion of the Red Cross and funds collected by churches, Sunday schools, associations, women’s clubs, schools, etc., were sent to Italy via American Red Cross. Several bankers, who cabled contributions direct through their own Italian correspondents, were subsequently impressed with the wisdom of the Red Cross arrangements, and may be depended upon to make future remittances through it.

The first relief contributions began to come within twelve hours after the issue of the appeal, and provision had to be made for the large amount expected. The Christmas stamp campaign was just ended; only the accounting remained to be done, and four salaried helpers were engaged upon this when the Italian relief contributions began to pour in. Two of these helpers were retained to assist in handling the heavy mail. In addition two accounting clerks were furnished for a few days by members of the executive committee, and greatly assisted in putting the accounts in order. All contributions were receipted for as fast as received and were also recorded in special books. A list of all the contributions was sent daily to all of the newspapers for publication. The papers were also supplied daily with interesting details of donations as reported by visitors or in letters received.

Frequent demands were made to have the Red Cross take even a more active part in raising funds than it had assumed. Several proposals to issue relief stamps in imitation of the Christmas stamps were not adopted for the reason that public interest in the Italian disaster was felt to be already so high that no devices to stimulate it further were deemed practicable or necessary. Contributions were being received many times the amount which any stamp issues could possibly produce. Several offers were made to turn over theatres and public halls for the purpose of arranging benefit performances. But these, too, had to be refused since, of course, such work is outside of the function of the Red Cross.

The public was so profoundly moved by the press’ circumstantial accounts of the disaster and the appeal for immediate relief that it responded almost instantaneously. Within twelve hours of the publication of the first appeal the mail brought the first contributions. The first day yielded $1,115, the second day $63,917.50. The total to date is $317,378.94.

In this amount were the contributions received by the different subdivisions of the State. The amounts began to fall off after the first week, but continued in considerable sums for a long time and are still coming in. The appeal was withdrawn on February 4.