The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-11-27
S1,At,486 A YEARS
DISASTER RELIEF COST
Red Cross Aided $4,000 VIC
tins in United States-Losses
Total S30,O00,00O.

seventy-two disasters, with hun
dreds reported killed and injured, and
more than $4,000 either homeless or
recurring assistance, called for enacr-
gency relief measures and the eX-
penditure of Sill, 4S6.36 by the
American Red Cross during the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1922, according
to a statement based on the forth
coming annual report of the Red
Cross. The greatest toll Of life was
taken by hurricane and tornado,
while the overlooking of rivers, the
breaking Of dams and torrential rains
drove the greatest number of people
from their homes. The property loss
was estimated at more than $780,
100000. .......
The years disasters reported in
Guided twenty-six floods, nineteen tor
nadoes, fifteen fires, four epidemicS,
two theatre collapses, two shfpwrecks
Zone an airship), and bridge col
lapse. mine explosion, railway COLI
sion and a drought OF the floods in
the United States that at San An
tonic. Texas, caused the greatest
property loss, 100000 and the high
mark of fatalities, 100, while the
flood in the vicinity Of Vicksburg and
Natchez. Miss. forced $1,000 persons
from their homes.
A National Calamity
In the Red Cross disaster relief
records there will probably remain
for many years one calamity which
touched nearly every state with a
sense Of horror and of loss. This was
the distressing collapse of the roof
of the Knickerbocker Theatre in
Washington, D. c., resulting in nine
ty-six deaths and 1"5 persons injured,
Situated in the ceuter of the beauti-
fnI Northwest residential section, this
motion picture theatre was patroniZed
by many persons of prominence both
in the official and civil life of the Ma
tiona1 Capital, whose family and per
sonal connections radiated out over
the entire country. The horror was
intensified by a terrific snowstOrm
which. though it retarded. did moi
block Red Cross relief.
Airship Crash Finds Aid at Hand
The crash and destruction Of the u
Armv's large airship Roma in Yir
gInia last February with the loss of 8
officers and men and II injured was
the first disaster of its kind to call fo'
Red Cross relief in this country. Th'
suddenness of the accident tested thi
preparedness of the organization anC
Of the Chapter at Hampton, Va. bu
the response was immediate and relic
furnished the survivors. also funds 10
the expenses of relatives of the dead
who came from long distances to CLAIM
their own.
In the years oversee record for ali
rendered by the Red Cross are tw,
fires in the Philippines, one In Manila
which destroyed 1000 homes. with ;
loss of s1,500,0O0 and 5000 person
made homeless, the other at Tonic
which drove 5000 from their dwellings
In medical relief that was quick an
effective the smallpox epidemic in Sa
Domingo, which had a total Of 22,OG
cases with 225 deaths in single day
tested the readiness of the Red Cros
for action. and the same can be sal
Of the San Domingo hurricane, whic
killed u persons and reduced tn
homes of 1872 persons to wreckage.
food in San Salvador, with a deaf
toll Of 30 and 1000 refugees, was ais
effectualIy handled by the local Char
ter of the American Red Cross.
Relief Machinery Perfected
The year has seen the further pc
lection of disaster relief administri
tive measures in every field Of Amer
can Red Cross activity. and that tn
work may be carried on to still create
accomplishments the American Re
Cross is appealing for widespread r.
npwal of membership during the n
uual Roll Call, to be conducted tn
wear from Armistice Day (Novemb'
10 to. and including, Thanksgivir
Day November 30).