The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1922-04-19
Mr.. Persons Tells
Work Done for
Disabled Vets
ADDRESS BEFORE CENTRAL d.
VISION CONFERENCE AT
DES MONIES.

TDllOWlIlS Is lie CeAC Ol LIE duQIcS
by w. Frank Persons, Vice Chairman
in Charge of Domestic Operations, or
what Is the American Red Cros!
Doing for the Disabled Ex-Servict
MANI" at the Central Division con
ference March Z:
''The Red Cross has just the same
responsibility to aid the disabled ex
service men today that it had during
the war to care for the families Of
men absent in service. The reason
is that the disabled ex-service mar
who needs help today is still subject
to the conditions of service. That is
he is today suffering the same, OF
greater, limitations of income and ac
ton, and he is continuing to make the
same on greater sacrifices for ou1
country.
''The Red Cross was ready to serve
the families of our fighting men, ane
later to help them to start anew il
their business and home life. The
Red Cross cannot now abandon the
opportunity to help the group of soldi-
ers and sailors who have returned dis
abled to their service. The respon-
sibility of today is not less, but great
err, and the Red Cross remains faith
full to it's duty.
Service is rendered to disabled ex-
service men, both by local Chapters
and by the National Organization.
In both respects this service is sup
Elementary to that which the Govern
ment is undertaking to do. Further
more, in both these fields of Red Cross
effort the service is interviewer with
the work of other voluntary organiza-
lions.
What Chapters Do.
"By far the greater part of the
work done by the Red Cross for dis
abled ex-service men is accomplished
by the local Chapters. It is this Or
ganization of the neighbors of the
soldier and his family which comes
most often in contact with him. Of
the 3,&48 Chapters on October 81.
1921, more than $500 were till main
tanning d service for disabled men.
A complete eatalog of the various
services rendered by Chapters would
be very long. The principal services
are as folio
81. The Chapter helps the disabled
man and his family out of any kind
Of trouble If the wife and children
are sick, if he has any legal Difficult
ties, if he is discouraged, the Chapter
worker tackles the problem and tries,
by giving careful study to the mans
situation, to work out some plan that
will set him on the road to satisfac-
tory self-help. While he is waiting
for his claims to be paid by the Gov
the Red Cross Chapter may
extend financial assistance. During
the year 1921 Red Cross Chapters, it
is estimated, have spent more than
100000 in service and in financial
assistance to these men and their
families. The reports indicate that,
On the average, the Chapters rendered
services in more than 100000 in
stances during each month of 1921.
"2. The Chapter aids in putting
he disabled man in effective relation
with the Government in order that he
may secure his full rights. This, in
itself, is often technical and difficult |
job, involving the filing out of num-
erous and detailed applications and
the procuring of the necessary evil
1ence and affdavits.
"3. Many Chapters are providing
recreation and other comforts for the
of training centers and Gov
eminent hospitals (including contract
nospitals) at their own expense, or
In cooperation with the American
Legion, the Knights of Columbus, or
other patriotic organizations.
"a. Chapters, upon request, are
information concerning the
conditions of the home and family life
when such information is needed for
the comfort or treatmet of hospital
patients. Such information is invalu-
able in the treatment, particularly, of
hose who have tuberculosis or mental
ailments. This information is trans
mitted through the Red Cross work
ers in the hospitals to the physicians
by whom it is requested.
The National End.
"The National Organization is now
Medical Social Service
in hospitals of the Veterans Bureau,
National Homes for disabled volunteer
soldiers, in the Army and Navy gen
eral hospitals, and in the district Of
fees Of the Veterans Bureau. Re-
figures for the month of
December, 1921, show that 43,521 dis
abled men were assisted in these in
situations:
"1) In securing affdavits to sup
port claims for compensation.
"(2) Writing to mans family.
"(3) Lending money.
"(4) Securing medical and social in
formation for the hospital physicians.
"The Red Cross staff of fulltime re-
numbers 604, in addi-
ton to Chapter representatives and
other volunteers, Of whom there are
several hundred.
"In the hospitals the Red Cross pro-
vides equipment for recreation, enter
tainment and athletics, knitted goods,
such as sweaters, muffers and socks,
and personal supplies of consider