New Britain herald., 1918-09-09

The following is authorized by the Red Cross War Council:
 "Thc War Council of the American Red Cross today issued the second in stalment of it's reports to the Amer can people concerning the use being made of the Red Cross War Fund. This particular instalment covers work being done in Italy since the begin ming of the war and plans made for the period up to the end of DeCem- Der, 1918.
 Tn carrying out it's work in Italy
 the American Red Cross has appropri- ated to July 1, 1918, the sum Of ST. 939, ,653.50, The greatly enlarged field of opportunity and obiga ton in Italy has called for an appropriation for the six months ending December, 1918, amounting to $12,657,S37.5O. Thus by the end of the year 1918 the American Red Cross will have eX- pended since the war beean,-and up to the end of 1918, at least $20,000- 1 000.00 in work of relief in Italy.
 Need for Red Cross work in Italy became apparent to the War Council in Washington early in the summer of 1917 and a temporary commission, headed by George r. Baker, Jr, was sent to Italy to make a thorough and
 exhaustive investigation of the needs there. As 9 result of the commissions $
 report a permanent commission was in process of formation when the Teutonic drive on the Austrian front filled all Italy with homeless, starv- ing, despairing refugees and brought on a crisis which took American Red Cross workers into the Italian field. . From that moment their activities have never ceased.
 To-day Italy is fully convinced that the American people are a nation of deeds as well as words. There is scarcely village or commune which has not been given unmistakable evi- dence of the generosity, kindliness and
 bility of America in the work of
 saving Europe from the grasp of Teu-
 tonic autocracy.
 Tn this connection, Col. John Blu
 chan, one of the directors of the
 British Ministry on Information, said
 T hope Americans appreciate the
 work which their Red Cross organiza-
 ton has done in Italy American work
 was wonderful. It was organized and accomplished with deftness, energy and tact. It must have been enor- mOusly expensive. but it was worth
 many times what 1t cost in it's re- markahle effect on the morale not only of the people at home, but at the front, where it's maximum was felt
 "A survey made in July shows that Up to that time relief had been dis tributed to nearly 400, 1000 needy fam flies of soldiers. At last reports the American Red Cross had in operation in Italy fl kitchens with a capacity. of 0,000 rations weekly. These were contributing to the comfort and support of 1000 families. It is maintaining 43 Worl<rooms where nearly 5000 women are employed in producing an average two nurseries caring for 13,0O0 chil- dren There are nineteen health cen ters containing 8,O46 children. There are twelve adult health centers Car- ing for an average of 800 persons weekly.
 All this character of work done up to July 1, 1918 was accumulated at 9 cost of $4,347,388. Work among the soldiers at the front up to July l, 1918, had cost $2,844,602. A special emergency fund was expended during the same period taking care of thou sands of refugees. This was done at a cost of $174,700. Another item of expense during the early days was that of transportation. This amount ed to $2oO, 462. Operating expenses during this period amounted to S167,- 537.
 In connection with the foregoing