The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-04-08
ACTIVE RED CROSS BODY
WORK OF THE NORTHERN
DIVISION REVIEWED
Relief To Two Major Disasters
In State Attracted Wide
Attention
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch

l<ASSOCldteQ fTeSS DlSpdtCn.J
Minneapolis, April Recently mer-
ged with the Chicago central office
because Of peace time reorganization
plans, the Northern Division of the
American Red Cross, which UP to
short time ago had headquarters
here, ranked as one of the most act
i've divisions in the country. The div
ision had charge of work in Minneso-
ia, North and South Dakota and Mon
tana
Relief to two major disasters in
Minnesota which attracted wide at
tention and the drought relief work
Montana were prominent among the
activities Of the Northern Division.
During the Minnesota forest fire in
October 1918 and the tornado at Fer.
gus Falls on June %, 1919, the divi-
sion did months of relief and rehabil-
itation work. More than 100000 was
expended by the division in drought
relief in North Dakota and Monana,
according to reports.
Aid To Tornado Sufferers
The local office OF the Red Cross
also contributed help and service af-
ter the tornadoes at Tyler and Castle
Rock, Mimi, Ward county, NORTH
Dakota and Wilkin county, Mime
sofa. A grasshopper determination
campaign in North Dakota, which 10
said to have saved the crops Of the
another niche carved in the work
board. -
Growth in the activities of the div
ts1on in peace time work is shown by
records in connection with the clos
ing OF the office. Since March, 1920.
two general representatives have
been stationed in each Of the four
states. Among other accomplish
ments during the peace time period
are as follows:
Establishment of eighty five new
nursing services during 1920; As
signments of 125 nurses to Red Cross
and affiliated services; supervisors
made 261 visits to communities:
sixty five enrolled in the Red Cross
nursing service and sixty eight nurs-
es assigned to the United States
755 classes in 1920 with 1920 stud.
ents being enrolled, ranking as third
highest division in the number of
classes and students; establishment
Of health courses in five state normal
schools; Study of health of rural
teachers, $500 being examined.
Cor: ducted Home Hygiene Course
nome hygiene course mas Deen
conducted by the Red Cross in forty
nine counties in Minnesota, twenty
six counties in North Dakota, and
twenty five counties each in South
Dakota and Montana Thirteen nii-
triton clinics In Minnesota, two in
South Dakota and one each in North
Dakota and Montana are noted among
the health service activities. Com
munity welfare work on Red Cross
funds by trained social workers il
done by nine chapters In Minnesota,
five in South Dakota and seven each
in North Dakota and Montana.
The division also has been active
in helping former service men. The
local Office records show that 755
new cases were handled In February
1920. while a year later, 1900 new
cases were taken care of in February
1921. An average Of 1000 cases 3
month was handled. In answer to q
request this month, sixty I've per-
cent OF the chapters of the division
reported total membership Of 1885,
000
All the activities begun by ,ae
Northern. division will be continued
by each Vocal chapter but headquar-
tiers will be transferred from Mimi
eapolis TO Chicago, r. G. Branio1,
former manager Of the local division
offices, has been appointed assistant
headquarters under Manager Walter
H. Davidson.