St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1920-11-06
RELIEF ACTIVITIES
ABROAD CLOSING

Washington, Oct. 25.-In the process
of closing its relief activities in France
and Belgium and at the same time Civ.
ing the greatest possible aid to those
living in the devastated districts, the
American Red Cross, during the year
ending June 80, 1920, furnished sun.
plies to 1866 villages and directly
benefited 100000 persons. These
facts are revealed in reports Just re-
ceived at National Headquarters.
Early in July, 1919, the American
Red Cross turned over to the French
people, represented by their own or.
CARNATIONS, the warehouses which
mad been controlled by it. After that,
the district managers Of the Red
Cross in the seven departments of the
devastated region acted as advisors to
these French organizations. The same
course was adopted in Belgium. The
supplies from these warehouses were
issued upon requisition from the
American Red Cross managers and
were sent by cannon to local ware
houses, under the management of
local French committees, where they
were given away or sold. During the
year Of 1911 carloads of supplies were
distributed by local cooperative sales,
at prices so much below the market
price as to make the sale little short
of gift.
The manner of determining the
price to be asked for goods sold, as
we'll as the way in which they should
be given away, was entirely in the
hands of the French and Belgian re-
gional and local committees. The
plan generally followed provided that
returning families should be assisted
without cost until they could in
measure re-establish themselves on
some sort of living basis. The
prices asked for all goods in the be-
ginning was very small, but sufficient
to enable the people to feel that they
were not objects of charity. It also
enabled the Red Cross to reach
much larger number of people. The
prices were fixed according to the de-
gree to which normal life had been
resumed in the community. When
the people were able to pay an ap-
proximate market value to the shop
keeper, the sales were withdrawn from
the community.
The funds received from the first
sale of goods were re-invested in ar
-icles the Red Cross was unable to
provide, of which any locality might
De in especial need, such as livestock,
household commodities and imple-t
ments. In many cases third sale
was made, but in all cases the money
emaining after the last sale was used
or permanent memorials to commem-
jrate the cooperation of the American
people with the French through the
American Red Cross. The decision OF
what sort of memorial should be left
was made by the local committee.
They varied from the large civic CEN
.ers, in which as much as 10000
,rancs was invested, to the smallest
physical mark Of appreciation, such
IS bronze plaque setting forth that
Here the American Red Cross OPP
operated and brought succor and COM
'ort to the people" Thus all the
money involved eventually was used
or the community originally assisted
The American Red Cross last year
distributed throughout the devastated
area 1877 American-made wooden and
steel barracks. Many of these barracks
have been continued in use as town
halls, churches, school houses, public
baths, dispensaries and hospitals.
Many local industries, such as lace
and silk manufacture, have
been re-established through American
Red Cross assistance. Farming espe-
cially has been encouraged. Large
tracts of land, which in January last
still remained battlefields in appear
ance, are now being reaped and gar
nered as grain fields. Building is pro
ceeding in all localities and the whole
revival stands as monument to
French courage, patience and persist
ence. There were practically 100000
inhabitants In this area before the
war. They were driven out or cap
,ured but only few hundred thou
sand are now still absent.
Much relief work has also been
lone among the children, principally
he giving of afternoon lunches OF
food. These have continued
through the year Christmas Day,
919, was properly celebrated and was
he first Christmas celebration ever
een by thousands of children in the
devastated regions.
To handle requests to the American
Red Cross for assistance from tndf'
.iduals and institutions in France and
Belgium special service bureau was
maintained until the end Of the year,
through which donations of supplies
we're made to 1873 organizations and
Institutions and a quantity of surplus
tocks were sold to similar agencies.
D,,L