The Cordova daily times., 1922-10-25
RED CROSS IS ANGEL MERCY
 WITH RELIEF

were reported killed and 521 injured, called for emergency relief measures and the expenditure of more than $1,441 ,000 by the American Red Cross during the fiscal year ended June 30. According to a statement based upon the forthcoming annual report of the Red Cross, these disasters caused property damage estimated at more than $3O,0OO,O00 and rendered more than 145.000 persons homeless or otherwise in need of assistance. In one section alone, the report states, on the Mississippi border. the Red Cross fed daily for weeks more than 35,O0O flood refugees.
 The greatest toll of life was taken by Hurricane and tornado, while the overflowing of rivers, the breaking of dams and torrental rain storms drove the greatest number of people from their homes. Fire also played an inn portant part in the chain of disasters " Red Cross relief workers.
 The years disasters reported in cluded 26 floods, 19 tornadoes or storms, 15 fires, 4 epidemics, ? the ater collapses, shipwrecks, one of which was the wreck of the U. S. airship Roma, a bridge collapse, mine explosion, railway collision and a drought.
 Of the floods, that at San Antonio. Texas, caused the greatest property loss, $6OOO,OO0, and the heaviest fatalities, 100. Among the unusual disasters was that reported from China, where, last May, the Ameri- can Red Cross chapter at Picking went to the relief of non-com batants wounded during the fighting at Chang Hsin Tien.
 Most of them," the report dryly added, were hit by bits of flying pottery shot up by the contending forces"
 In Red Cross disaster records there I will probably remain as a chapter by itself the details of one calamity which touched nearly every state with a sense of horror. This was the collapse of the roof of the Knick- erbocker Teater in Washington, D. C., which resulted in almost 100 deaths and 125 persons injured. Located in the section of the National Capital containing fine homes and great apartment houses, this motion pie ture theater was patronized by many persons of prominenece in the of cial and civil life of the city, per sons whose connections radiated over the entire country. The horror was intensified by a blizzard, which, though it retarded, did not block the Red Cross relief efforts.
 The crash and destruction by fire of the U. S. Army dirigible Roma in Virginia, last February, with the loss of a score of officers and enlisted men, was the first disaster of it's kind in this country to call for Red Cross relief. The suddenness of the acci- dent tested the readiness of the or ganization and of the chapter at Hampton, Va, but the response was immediate. Not only was relief fur nished the survivors, according to the report, but funds were provided to bring relatives of the dead to the scene from long distances.
 In the years record of aid rendered overseas by the American Red Cross are two fires in the Philippine Is- lands, one in Manila which destroyed 1000 homes with a loss of $1,5OO,OOO and 5000 persons rendered homeless. the other at Tonic which drove 5000 from their homes. In medical relief that was quick and effective the smallpox epidemic at San Domingo, with total of 22,0OO cases and 225 deaths in single day, tried the re- sources and preparedness of the Red Cross for action in epidemics.
 A hurricane in San Domingo, and flood in San Salvador also tried the Red Cross resources but refugees were effectually cared for and much dire distress relieved.
 The year has seen the further per. lection of disaster relief administra- tive measures in every field, it was reported, and that the work may be carried on to still greater accomplish ments the American Red Cross is ap- pealing for a worldwide renewal of membership during the annual roll call winch is to be conducted be- tween Armistice Day, November H.,