Los Banos Rotary Club History
Speaker Clarifies Red Cross Cigarette Selling Charge

The familiar charge by ex-GIs that American Red cross cigarettes were sold rather than given to soldiers overseas, is true, according to A. L. Schafer, past national disaster director of the American Red Cross.

Speaking before the Los Banos Lions Club and the Rotary Club Tuesday, Schafer clarified his statement: "Red Cross cigarettes have been sold, but not by the Red Cross."

He explained that many times overseas post exchanges ran short of cigarettes and borrowed supplies from the Red Cross until new shipments arrived. In each case, the Red Cross was resupplied with the cigarettes borrowed by PXs. However, Schafer pointed out, there were cases of hijacked Red Cross cigarettes and GIs who picked up extra packs and sold them.

During World War II, 3,700 persons received brief training as field representatives and were sent overseas. "In recruiting so many workers in such a short time it was only natural that there might have been a few lemons," the speaker declared, in pointing out the few isolated cases of dishonest field representatives.

Schafer entered Red Cross service in 1917 and retired in October, 1948. "The Red Cross is the people's organization for everyone and workers contribute of their time and services if not money in the spirit of world brotherhood."

Citing the humanitarian—and heartwarming—services of the organization, he said during a recent Florida hurricane during the Christmas season, workers went all out and played Santa Claus in a big way.

Through the fast organization of volunteer workers, the names, sex and age of 5000 children in the disaster area were compiled and packages containing toys were personally addressed and mailed to the youngsters who otherwise would not have had reason to celebrate Christmas.

There are 65 nations which support Red Cross socities similar to those in the United States. In Prague, Czechoslovakia a Red Cross training school for handicappd children was established in which students learned a useful trade. Thirty-six of these youngsters appeared before handicapped children groups in the United States as a graphic illustration of their progress. "This was a real lesson to children here as to what can be done."

Schafer listed the five departments of the organization: health and welfare, junior red cross, disaster relief services, service to the armed forces, and volunteer workers, there are 100 volunteer workers for every paid member, who before being accepted for service duty must go through an extensive training period.

The speaker said the Red Cross discourages loans of national or state legislative funds in favor of standing on its own feet. He cited an instance of political wrangling that ensued following a loan of some $60,000 by the Kentucky state legislature to aid disaster relief work in that state. Counties that were not stricken then began bickering for their share of the funds that were earmarked for only the disaster area.

In reviewing the governmental organization of the Red Cross, Shafer said the charter provides for a 50 member board of governors of which eight are appointed by the president of the United States. Twelve are named by the board, 30 are elected at the national Convention. The president appoints one board member as the Red Cross president.

The organization then breaks down to state, county and community levels.
Shafer was introduced by Mrs. L. C. Fergus, the Los Banos Red Cross Chapter chairman. She also introduced Charles B. Tator, Pacific area Red Cross field representative.

January 14, 1955

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