The Connecticut labor news., 1924-03-01
Aids 100000 Veterans and Their Families-27,OOO Dis-
 abIed Still in Hospitals.
SPENDS $5,866,255 IN YEAR
Individual Attention Assured to All Physically filling or
 in Distress.

| marks with the opening of the annual membership canvass, shows that dur 1 ing the past year assistance was ex- tended by the Red Cross to some 200,- 900 ex-service men or their fami- lies. To 130 hospitals throughout the l country approximately 75,000 ex-serv- ice men were admitted for treatment, and to 63,296 of these men definite and specialized service was extended, the 1 Red Cross annual report discloses. In all hospitals under government opera tion a total of nearly 27,O00 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- pepdents of the ex-service men, show conclustvely 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. It 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 nome service" for it's aims to give the loving care and interest of the home to these men undergoing physical reconstitution far from their actual home influences.
 Years Expenditures S5,s66 ,255
 In the year ended last June 30 the Red Cross reports $3, ,920,00 spent by its Cha .,ters in extending individual attention to the ex-service men and S1,946,255 spent by National Head quarters of the Red Cross, a total of $5,S66,25Et In behalf of the men called to duty in the World War the Red Cross since July 1, 1917, has spent nearly 164,000,O00. Today there are 2,60S 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 compl1ca- tions 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 12,000 compensa- owG N1 oi allotment and other claims.
 Solves Serious Problem
 The financial problem of the ex-serv. ice man when travelling to and from hospitals is a serious one. and in meet ing this constant demand the Red Cross expended $138,334.1 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 the record of a single month illustrates the large service rendered by the Red Cross. For example, ,504 new cases required attention, and a total of 26.- GOT cases were acted upon: 49,368 let ters and 1863 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 8 critical time in the lives Of many of the disabled ex-service men who during the five years since the armistice have developed misgivings of recovery.
 Work Among the "ResuIars"
 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 over 200, 900 cases of assistance extended and 834,420 visits to the 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 8 single responsibility of the American Red Cross demonstrated during the year that it's "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 who sacrificed and the Red Cross, whose
 
 the veterans organizations. To do all that can be done to.soften the con- sequences of the hard blows of war is the supreme duty of the Red Cross, to which 1t is giving it's best work and most liberal service. E.