Since I couldn't find documentation on the operation of the infirmary in the parish archive for 1917, I assumed its operation had been suspended, and when I read the minutes from the annual meeting of the Red Cross Branch held on February 17, 1918, I was convinced of that. The main topic of the minutes was the year 1917, discussing the cessation of the hospital's operation as well as the continuation of the Branch's work. The minutes were taken by Salma Jožef, the temporarily elected secretary. Quotes from the report of Ambruš Artur:
"The wheel of fate has turned in such a way that there is still a need for intensive work of the Red Cross because the war is still ongoing18, the nation is still bleeding, there is still a need for selfless souls. We have done what could be done. But this work had a completely different character than in previous years. Due to the difficulties that besieged the hospital from all sides, we had to request the complete cessation of its operation.
Thus, the majority of the tasks we diligently performed fell off our shoulders. But with undiminished energy, we continue to work in the office, where we try to help solve the problems that afflict our fellow countrymen as best as we can. During the summer months, the Society initiated the operation of a day care center for the children of the poorest, whom we surrounded with caring attention. We provided financial assistance to poor schoolchildren. We also provided financial assistance to others, not just students. In cases where we cannot directly provide assistance, we try through various social actions to draw attention to them and appeal to the conscience of society to sacrifice for them. One such action was the celebration of the day of Peter and Paul, which resulted in a material gain of 1400 crowns, and its moral impact was literally grandiose. The most deserving for the success of this action, i.e., the one who carried out the lion's share of it, was Dr. Kencel Jožef."
After this, the president solemnly remembered the deceased Brajtkopf Kalman, a member of the Red Cross Society since its formation in 1914. At the end of his speech, the president proposed two initiatives to the Committee. In the first, he asked the presidency to declare Šoljmoš Elemer, who had supported the hospital with 24 beds for a long time, an honorary member of the Society. The proposal was unanimously accepted. Since Šoljmoš Elemer intends to establish a hospital in the municipality's territory, the president requested the assembly to finance the maintenance of one or more beds in the hospital to be established. This proposal was also accepted, with the note that the Council, which is in the process of being established, would decide on the number of beds.
During the session, the treasurer read a summary of the financial operations of the Red Cross Branch for the year 1917. The revenues amounted to 43,495 crowns and 48 fillers, while the expenses amounted to 5,816 crowns. The Society's assets on December 31, 1917, amounted to 37,679 crowns and 11 fillers plus a war loan bond of 100 crowns, a gift from Avram Stanković. The increase in the Society's base compared to the previous year amounted to 11,124 crowns and 11 fillers. The assembly gladly accepted this treasurer's report and, at his request, relieved him of his duties, thanking him for his work thus far.
After this, President Ambruš Artur himself, on behalf of the infirmary officials and delegates, submitted his resignation. The assembly thanked the president and his associates for their dedicated work, acknowledged and accepted their resignation, and entrusted the further conduct of the meeting to the new president, Ranković Ištvan, the oldest member. After Mr. Bihari Bela took the floor and made his proposal, the assembly elected the following ladies and gentlemen to the Council:
The Baroness wife of Dr. Čavoš Ignac, Mrs. Pulai Roman, wife of Dr. Davidović Bogdan, Mrs. Turn Roberta, Mrs. Brajtkopf Kalman, Garai Iža, Baron Čavoš Ignac, Ištvanfi Ištvana, Ambruš Artura, Sivčev Partenija, Polak Emanuel, Dr. Kencel Jožef, Halmoš Lajoš the elder, Ranković Ištvan, Lind Đula, Dr. Klotzel Ferenc, Šiler Henrik, Pavlak Lazar, Dr. Samek Gustav, Halmoš Lajoš the younger, and Zedi Ileš. The minutes were certified by Halmoš Lajoš the elder and Adamković Marija.
18 Significant Events of 1917 in Chronological Order:
- January 22 Wilson delivers his peace message to Congress
- April 6 The U.S. enters the war on the side of the Allied Powers, after which other continental countries also declare war on Germany
- May 23 Tisza István resigns as Prime Minister of Hungary
- November 7 The Bolsheviks come to power in Russia December 7 The U.S. declares war on the Monarchy
