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.