Roanoke Rapids herald., 1923-11-02
RED CROSS HELPS
WARS SUFFERERS
Aids 100000 Veterans and
Their FamiIies--27,OOO Dis
abIed Still in Hospitals.
SPENDS s5,s66,265 IN YEAR
Individual Attention Assured to
All Physically AiIing or
In Distress.

Washington. - War service hve
years after the armistice, which on
November II 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
tion total Of nearly $1,000 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 a 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 it's aims to give the loving care
and interest Of the home to these men
undergoing physical reconstruction
far from their actual home influences.
Years Expenditures t5,s6s,25s
In the year ended last June 80 the
Red Cross reports $3.920,0oO spent by
its Chapters in extending individual
attention to the ex-seryice men and
$1,946,255 spent by National Head
quarters of the Red Cross, total Of
1886. .25t In behalf Of the men called
to duty in the World War the Red
Cross since July 1. 1917, has spent
nearly $164,000,000. Today there are
2,608 Chapters in as many localities
carrying on this work, aiding the in
dividual veteran, assisting his family,
furnishing creature comforts and
funds TO tide over troublesome periods,
The strong connecting link between
the Red Cross and the United States
Veterans Bureau takes the complica-
tions out Of dificult 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 2,22t
allotment and other claims.
Solves Serious Problem
The financial problem of the ex-serv.
ice man when travelling to and from
hospitals IL serious one, and in meet.
ing this constant demand the Red
Cross expended 313S.S34.17 during the
year. For extra rscreational 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 the
record of single month illustrates
the large service rendered by the Red
Cross. For example, 1854 new cases
required attention. and a total of 26.-
007 cases wore acted upon; 49,36S let
ters and 1858 telegraph messages
written, and more than 1900 enter
tainments given In recreation houses
for the benefit Of the patients.
Authorities declare that the pres
ent is a critical time In the lives Of
many of tho disabled ex-service men
who during the five years since tho
armistice have developed misgivings
Of recovery.
Work Among the "Regulars"
Service to the enlisted men of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps is 4
charter obligation of the Red Cross,
which in the last year recorded over
100000 cases of assistance extc nded
and S34,42 visits to tho sick and dis.
abled. Inquiries by the Red Cross at
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
60 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 who
sacrificed and the Red Cross, whose
efforts are praised and iAdorsed by
the veterans organizations. To do
all that can be done to soften the CEN
sequences of the hard blows Of war
is the supreme duty Of the Red Cress.
to which 1t is giving it, best wsSk sad
most liberal service.
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