The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1923-10-31
RED CROSS HELPS
WARS SUFFERERS
Aids 100000 Veterans and
Their FamiIies-27. 600 Dis
abled Still in Hospitals.
SPENDS s5,866,255 IN YEAR
Individual Attention Assured to
All Physically AiIing or
in Distress.
SPENDS s5,866,255 IN YEAR

Washington. = War service fire
years after the armistice. which on
November IL the American Red Cross
marks with the opening of the annual
membership canvass. shows that dur
ing the past year assistance was ex.
tended by the Red Cross to some 200,
900 ex-service men or their fami
lies. To 1870 hospitals throughout the
country approximately $4,000 ex-serv.
ice men were admitted for treatment.
and to 63,296 of these men definite and
specialized service was extended, the
Red Cross annual report discloses. In
all hospitals under government opera
ton total of nearly $4,000 disabled
veterans were reported by the Sur
geon General of the Army.
These facts of the aftermath Of
physical and metal disability five years
after the World War, and the burden
resting upon the relatives and de-
pendents of the ex-service men, show
conclusively the great need Of the
Red Cross to act as supplementary
arm of the government in service to
these many thousands Of men who
wore the uniform of the United States
1t should be emphasized that govern
ment assistance is necessarily stand
ardized along specified lines affecting
them as whole. The Red Cross serv
ice is to the individual man and the
solution of his problems. This the
Red Cross designates "home service
for its aims to give the loving care
and interest of the home to these men
far from their actual home influences
Years Expenditures s5,e66,255
In the year ended last June 80 the
Red Cross reports s3.92O.000 spent b!
it's Chapters in extending individual
attention to the ex-service men and
$1,946.255 spent by National Head
quarters of the Red Cross, a total OF
$5,S66.255 In behalf of the men called
to duty in the World War the Rec
Cross since July 1, 1917, has spent
nearly $164 100000. Today there ar
2,608 Chapters in as many localitie:
carrying on this work, aiding the in
dividual veteran, assisting his family
furnishing creature comforts ant
funds to tide over troublesome periods
The strong connecting link between
the Red Cross and the United State.
Veterans Bureau takes the complica
tons out of difficult cases of claims
The Red Cross in this work requiring
personal representation Of the ex-serv
ice man has acted in appeal cases, in
surance matters, personal and family
problems, camp and hospital activi
ties, and in cases of death. This serv
ice handled nearly $4,000 compensa
ton and insurance claims, and 2,22;
allotment and other claims.
Solves Serious Problem
The financial problem of the ex-serv
ice man when travelling to and from
hospitals is serious one, and in meet
ing this constant demand the Rec
Cross expended $13S,334.17 during the
year. For extra recreational equip
ment in Veterans Bureau training
centers $14,306 was spent, and for the
blinded veterans in the government
school funds were supplied to enable
some Of these unfortunate men to en-
ter business as storekeepers and pOul
try raisers.
In Veterans Bureau hospitals tn,
record of a single month illustrate!
the large service rendered by the Re-
Cross. For example, 1884 new case
required attention. and a total of 26,
007 cases were acted upon; 49,36S lei
tiers and 1853 telegraph message.
written. and more than 1900 enter
tainments given in recreation house!
for the benefit of the patients.
Authorities declare that the pres
ent is critical time in the lives o.
many of the disabled ex-service mel
who during the five years since The
armistice have developed misgiving!
of recovery.
Work Among the Regulars"
Service to the enlisted men of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps is {
charter obligation of the Red Cross
which in the last year recorded ovel
200, 900 cases of assistance EXTENDED
and S34,420 visits to the sick and dis
abled. Inquiries by the Red Cross a
the request of Government authori
ties into the home conditions of sol
diers. sailors and marines aggregated
17,714, and there were nearly 5000
instances where the Red Cross locat
ed men for their families.
All these activities constituting .
single responsibility of the American
Red Cross demonstrated during the
year that its "war service" in behalf
of the veteran and the man enlisted
In the nations defensive arms must
go forward unfalteringly and with
out stint Of funds. The work Of the
last five years has welded a close
bond of regard between the men whf
sacrificed and the Red Cross, whose
efforts are praised and Endorsed BY
the veterans organizations. To de-
all that can be done to soften the con
sequences Of the hard blows OF wal
Is the supreme duty Of the Red Cross
to which 1t is giving its best work and