So the House passed the Public Buildings and Grounds Bill without the Red Cross item and the Senate was asked to insert that item. It did so. Then opposition arose because the Red Cross building was a memorial to the _loyal_ women of the Civil War. It was argued that the Confederate women were just as brave and devoted and self-sacrificing as the women of the North; that no memorial should perpetuate sectional feeling. The proposition was made that the word _loyal_ be eliminated and that the building be a memorial to _all_ the women of the Civil War. This could not be done, however, because the gift of $300,000 by the Loyal Legion was conditioned upon the retention of the word _loyal_. A sharp discussion followed with the result that the Red Cross item was entirely stricken out. A little later the subject was reopened and the Red Cross item was again inserted and remained there when the Senate passed the bill. The House refused to accept the Senate amendments and a conference committee was appointed. Several important Senate amendments, among them the Red Cross item, became the subject of prolonged discussion. Congress must adjourn on March 4th. It was now March 3rd and it became imperative that an agreement should be reached. Finally the dispute had narrowed down to this: The House conferees would consent to the passage of the Red Cross item if the Senate would abandon the item for the purchase of the Rock Creek Valley in Washington for park purposes. The Rock Creek Valley purchase was of the utmost importance to Washington. It had been urged for years and there was no question that it was of greater public value at this time than the provision of a Red Cross building. The Senate forced to this hard choice wisely held on to the Rock Creek Valley item and the Red Cross item was lost. Perhaps this story of high hope, of keen suspense, of alternating optimism and despair is not worth the space here given to its relation. It is, however, a tale of a gallant fight in which the Red Cross won many friends and made no enemies. Shall it fare better in Congress another year? Who so faint hearted as to doubt? Vivid Glimpses of the American Red Cross in Turkey _Following are several illuminating extracts from reports recently received from the fields of Red Cross activity in Turkey. The American Red Cross has been extremely fortunate in the character of its representation in this work. Some of those whose services have been particularly noteworthy are mentioned in the statement below by Mr. G. Bie Ravndal, American Consul General at Constantinople, who is also secretary of the Red Cross Chapter in Constantinople. The composite picture of widely extended and many-sided activity presented by these brief reports conveys an impression of magnitude and importance which must gratify every American who takes pride in the achievements of his fellow countrymen._—EDITOR RED CROSS MAGAZINE. FIGHTING THE CHOLERA AT SAN STEFANO