Evening star., 1926-10-05
Americas Good Samaritan.

In his address at the opening or the
Red Cross Congress President Cool
idge styled the work OF that organi
zation "only one example of the
innumerable results Of American
idealism' He bespoke for 1t the
unanimous and sustained support OF
the people Of this country. to keep 1t
ready at all times for it's operations in
behalf of stricken humanity.
John Barton Payne. chairman or
the Red Cross, expressed the belief
tbs { the maintenance of a pc. ce-time
strength Of more than 100000 mem
bers was a tribute to the organiza-
ton and to its active and influential
chapter workers. The American
people, by Joining the membership,
attest to their confidence in the eff
cheney and the fidelity Of those who
constitute the permanent working
forces of this great agency Of mercy.
In a few weeks the annual roll call
will be sounded-that is to say, the
roster will be once more passed
among the people of the country for
their signatures and for the payment
of the membership fee Of one dollar.
To the extent that they respond the
work Of the organization can proceed.
1t can answer every call for help.
And there are many calls Of which
the country at large is not fully
aware.
In the event Of a great disaster.
such as that which recently befell
the State Of Florida, when hurri-
cane Of unprecedented violence crash
ed In from the sea and smote large
area with devastating force. the Red
Cross is first in the minds Of the
stricken region and occupies promi-
nently the attention of the people of
all the States. But there are many
other occasions for its service which
do not attract notice. Thus Chairman
Payne noted in his speech yesterday
that during the fiscal year which
ended juno 80 last there were sixty
two domestic disasters alone which
called for Red Cross service and which
required the appropriation Of $278,.
1874 from the organizations own
treasury. above public subscriptions.
Only a few of these were noted be-
yond the immediate field of the mis-.
fortunes.
Readiness to respond at any mo-
ment to a call for help Is the watch
word of the Red Cross. It is as pre-
pared as is a hospital to succor an in
dividual sufferer from disease or acci.
dent The work Of the Red Cross,
however, is always done on large
SCALE 1t is the Nations "ambu-
lance" To keep it properly equipped
for this readiness to serve, to enable
1t to meet any need, large or small,
to permit it to function as the coun-
try's Good Samaritan, is the duty Of
the people of all the States
Just at present there Is in evidence
an illustration of the best working Of
the Red Cross In the presence of dis.
HSleI. L Hc HliluS IldQ SCdItcly tcoocu
TO blow in violence over the State of
Florida before the Red Cross was in
action. 1t was on the ground before
the people had recovered from their
first daze OF despair. 1T organized
the relief works. brought order out
OF disorder assured the supply of
necessities established hospitals for
the treatment of the injured and the
sick With the STORED momentum"
of its experience and it's organization
II got under headway Immediately.
There can never be a reckoning OF
the value of this immediate succor.
No controversial disputes regarding
the extent of the disaster or the need
of relief measures in Florida should
lessen the Willingness OF the people
of the country to supply the funds
necessary to carry the people of that
suffering State over their present
emergency. 1t is evident that there
is still urgent need Of aid there. de-
spite the optimism of the business
interests of the State. The people of
the country have confidence in the
Red Cross and will answer the sum-
mons which it sounds.
Times influence is mellowing. As