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When the United Crusade of Will County begins its fund drive later this month, it will not be working with the Mid -American Chapter. Will County American Red Cross For the first time in many years the two outstanding organizations will not be working together. Both sides have been claiming foul for many moons Recently W. A. Eneix, regional chairman for the Red Cross says, “The United Crusade has repeatedly broken faith with the Red Cross and other organizations.”’ He is seeking a full explanation and clarification of Crusade financial matters to benefit all participating agencies. On the other side of the firing line, Robert F. Lanier, president, of the county United Crusade, says, ‘The Red Cross agency is in violation of its contract with United Crusade and has ignored a warning issued more than two months ago to comply with the by-laws and agreement with the organization or be dismissed. He said this is the statement issued by the board of directors. These discussions have widened the breach between the two to a point, that some in the know feel, they will never work out the problems. What has happened in the immediate past. According to Eneix, the Will county region has launched a campaign to inform business, industry and other supporters of its explosion from the United Crusade. He said this is necessary because the fund raising drive will soon be under way and the Red Cross wants its friends and supporters to remember it when they write checks for the Crusade. Red Cross will hold its own fund drive in March. One of the charges made by the Crusade is that the Red Cross does not publish its financial report and was not giving the Crusade a written report on its needs. In answer to this the regional chairman of the Red Cross said the United Crusade board for several years has failed to approve the statement of its needs (Red Cross). Last year, the estimate submitted in compliance with Crusade requirements was for $102,000. Amount approved by the Crusade was $60,000. Lanier says the figure asked for by the Red Cross was not $102,000 but $75,000. He also claims the surplus of the Red Cross is $3,068,923. This said the president has been proven by two certified public accountant firms. In answer to this claim, Eneix says “The only thing which could be called a surplus is $110,000 and this is for the entire Mid-America chapter, of which the Will county region is only a part.” Red Cross financial statements and accounts are also audited annually by accountant firms as well as the audit division, U.S. Department of Defense. As to violation of contract by the Red Cross with the Crusade, Eneix claims they have asked the Crusade many times for examples but as of now, ‘They have not told us how or in what way.” He also says the Red Cross dismissal is in itself a violation. The agreement provides for a 60 day written notice which must be given before February 1 of any year. He implies this has not been done. Eneix also says he and other Red Cross officers have made many attempts to meet and negotiate with Crusade officials, ‘‘But again and again they will not even give us the courtesy of answering our letters.’ Questions being asked of the United Crusade by the Red Cross are: Why doesn’t the United Crusade have regularly scheduled meetings? Why “have none of the participating agencies ever been given a copy of the United Crusade bylaws? Why doesn’t the United Crusade publish an audited annual report so that all Will county contributors can see how their donations are distributed? Why has there never been a Community Welfare Planning Board, as promised by the United Crusade? How much is in the “reserve fund’’ and why is the depository of these funds kept secret? Who are the members of the United Crusade board of directors? As to the financial con dition of the Red Cross, the regional chairman said it is published annually in an area newspaper. It was published June 30, 1970, he said In conclusion Eneix says, “In effect, the Crusade is asking Red Cross to make Chicago and other com munities in Mid-America subsidize its operations in Will county ‘In spite of the fact that the people of Will county have already contributed generously to the Crusade, and are able to support their own local services.” While the area awaits the next step in the battle, a resident told this newspaper, “While they fight, we suf fer.”’ an ECONOMIST AS AS EAST SECTION VOL. II OCTOBER 14, 1970 NO. 20 OFFICIALS ARE STILL CHECKING THE REASON FOR THE explosion and fire that demolished the home of the Hardys at 7446 W. 162nd st., in the Bremen-Towne area of Tinley Park recently. According to Robert Bettenhausen, fire chief, minor damage was done to two homes close by. He told The Circle damage was estimated at $40,000. A firefighter suffered minor burns fighting the blaze. It took five piece of fire equipment to bring the fire under control, said the fire chief.
Newspaper Details
Joliet Circle
Joliet, Illinois, US
Wed, Oct 14, 1970
Page 41
Full Page
Clipped by
Loren Y.
