New Britain herald., 1922-11-24
RED GROSS SPENDS
 MONEY IN RELIEF
Million and One-Hali Dollars Ez-
 pended During Past Year

Washington, Nov. Seventy two disasters in which 674 persons were reported killed and 521 injured, call ed for emergency relief measures and the expenditure of more than $1,441,- 900 by the American Red Gross dur ing the fiscal year ended June 30. Ac- cording to statement based upon the forthcoming annual report of the Red Gross, these disasters caused property damage estimated at more than $30.- c00,000 and rendered more than 145,- 900 persons homeless or otherwise in need of assistance. Tn one section alone, the report states, on the Louis- iana- Mississippi border. the Red Cross fed daily for weeks more than 5000 flood refugees.
 The greatest toll of life was taken by hurricane and tornado, while the overdowing of rivers,, the breaking of dams and torrential rain storms drove the greatest number of people from their homes. Fire also played an inn portant part in the chain of disasters which made insistent demands for Red Cross relief workers.
 The years disasters reported in- oluded 26 floods, 19 tornadoes or storms, IS fires, epidemics, the ater collapses, ? shipwrecks, one of which was the wreck of the U. S. airship Roma, bridge collapse, mine explosion, railway collision and a drought.
 A G. Texas caused the greatest property loss. s6,0oo.o .ooc. and the heaviest fla talities. 100. Among the unusual dis asters was that reported from China, where. last May, the American 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 pot tery shot up by the contending forces"
 In Red Cross disaster records there will probably remain as chapter by itself the details of one calamity which touched nearly every state with sense of horror. This was the collapse of the roof of the Knicker- booker theater in Washington, D. C., which resulted in almost 100 deaths and 13S persons injured. Located in the section of the National Capital containing fine homes and great apartment houses, this motion picture theater was patrouized by many per sons of prominence in the official and civil life of the city, persons whose connections radiated over the entire country. The horror was intensified by a blizzard. which. though it re- tarded. did not block the Red Cross relief efforts
 Dirigfblc Roma.
 The crash and destruction by fire of the IT. s. Army dirigible Roma in Virginia. last February, with the loss of a score of officers and enlisted men, was the first disaster of its kind in this country to call for Red Cross relief. The suddenness of the accident tested the readiness of the organiza- ton and of the chapter at Hampton. Va, but the response was immediate. Not only was relief furnished the sur vivors. 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 render ed overseas by the American Red Cross are two fires in the Philippine Islands. one in Manila which destroy ed 1000 homes with loss of s1.500.- GOO and 5000 persons rendered home less, the other at Tonic which, drove 5000 from their homes. In medical relief that was quick and effective the smallpox epidemic at San Dom ingo, with total of 22,0oo cases and 225 deaths in a single day, tried the resources and preparedness of the