CAN THE RED CROSS SURVIVE?

In his keynote address to the 24th Annual Convention of the American National Red Cross last month President Basil O'Connor spoke boldly on present trends in charity and welfare. Tracing the trends of development and action of voluntary association for the alleviation of human suffering, he inquired as to whether or not this is an outmoded and inefficient method. "Must we consider the possibility," he asked, "that a compulsory system of humanitarian activity under state control is the best solution?" Mr. O'Connor considered that the expansion of governmental authority has taken place in the main because of the failure of private individuals or private groups to do certain jobs which society feels must be done. Modern fascist and communist dictators, said Mr. O'Connor, have risen to power on the ruins of the political and religious groups, the trade unions and the fraternal orders. They had to destroy these in order