The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-10-09
HARDING APPROVES NATIONAL APPEAL
 FOR WAR REFUGEES
Near East Relief and >Ameri- can Red Cross Will Work Jointly in Relieving
 Suffering
By Associated Press

Washington. October s.-A nation wide appeal for funds for the relief of the thousands of refugees In tho near east was authorized today by President Harding. The money will be distributed through the American Rcd Cross and the near east relief. working pointly. and will be raised by a special committee headed by former Postmaster General Hays.
 A statement by the President said:
 "A recognized and most appealing emergency exists in the near east. After full conference 1t Is unani- mously agreed that the American Red Cross and the near east relief. two governmentally recognized organi- zatiCns. are the logical instrumentali- ties through which this relief may be extended. and 1t Is a manifest duty that they should take care of tho situation.
 Ut has been decided that these two organizations will take care of the situation jointly. In a campaign of most cordial cooperation they will command the facilities for most ef-
 
 Organizations Join
 ITO meet the situation there Is created special fund to be known as near east emergency fund This special fund is to, be raised by a nationwide appeal. which is indorsed and will be engaged In by the Ameri- can Red Cross. the near east relief. the Young Mems Christian associa- ton, the Young Womens Christian association. the Federal Council of Churches, the Knights of Columbus, the American relief administration, the Jewish joint distribution commit tee and other organizations having interests in the near east.
 Money may be sent to Eliot Wads- worth. treasurer of the American Red Cross. Washington, D. C.: Cleveland Il. Hldge. treasurer of the near east relief lbl Fifth avenue. New York, or the Literary Digest, 354 Fourth avenue. New York. special embha- sis and appeal for funds will be made during the roll call of the Red Cross in November. Checks in each instance shall be made payable to the near east emergency fund.
 "A special committee has been named to assist in the emergency joint appeal. consisting of the heads q. This special committee consists of Will H. Hays. chairman: Judge John Barton Payne of the American Red Cross. Dr. James L. Barton of the near east relief. R. J. Cuddihy of the Literary Digest. John L. Flaherty of the Knights of Columbus, Dr. John R. Mitt cf the Young Mems Christian association. Mrs. F. John French of the Young Women's Christian asso- citation. pr. Robert F. Speer of the Federal Council of Churches, Felix Warburg of the Jewish joint dis tributiou committee and Herbert Hoover of the American relief ad- ministration.
 Work Begins Hmm ediateIy
 "The relief work already afforded will be followed at once by the most prompt ministration which the Ameri- can Red Cross and near east relief can bestow, in oo-ordinated efforts. proceeding tn the assumption that the heart of the American people will respond generously, enabling these agencies of relief to meet the crying emergency"
 MT. Harding personally handed copies of the statement to the news- paper correspondents, to whom he paid visit in the press room of the executive offices. Agreement for the Red Cross and the near east relief to cooperate In relief measures TO- suited from extended conferences yesterday between officials of those organizations and Mir. Hays.
 Announcement that additional measures fer relief fin the near east already had been taken was made tonight by Charles V. Vickrey, gen. eral secretary of the near east re- lief Three purchasea of .aroons afloat have been made and a fourth ship is now loading for Constanti- nople.
 MT. Vickrey made public cable gram from the near east relief agency at Saloniki. describing condi- tions there. 1t stated that the situa- tion amcng the 50.000 refugees was pitiable. with only about half of them adequately housed.