Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-31
RED CROSS READY TO MEET
ANY. NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Experience Gained by Organization in
Recent Disasters Is Used in Perfect
ing Plans for Future Activity.

This activity exhibits itself in a va
riety OF ways. Mr.. Fieser calls II the
contribution Of the war TO the work."
Junior and life saving work, pubic
health and nursing programs, work
for ex-service men and their families
and many other endeavors keep the
chapter on the qui vive. he says.
OF course the annual Red Cross roll
call. plans for which are now being
laid for 1927. Is the signal for visible
energy on the part OF the chapters.
Mr.. Fieser points out that this
year the American Red Cross is OBJ
serving its coming Of age" - its
twenty-first birthday under its pres
ent charter, as we'll as it's tenth an
niversary OF its entrance into World
War activities. The charter says that
the American Red Cross shall be the
representative of the American PEG.
pie in time of disaster. pestiieuce and
national emergency. 1t is also line
Of communication between the Ameri.
can people and the Army and Navy.
Government Aid.
The chairman and five members Of
the central committee are appointed
by the President of the United States
and are representative of the Govern
ment departments. This gives a d.
rect channel into the Government ma
chinery. as the organization is semi
governmental in character, as we'll a.
enjoying wide popular support.
It's government neXus is exhibted-in
times of disaster. when the support
of the Army and Navy and other gcT-
ernmental agencies becomes really
available. This means tentage, equip
ment. stores. medical supplies, vessels
of tn, Coast Guard and the Light
house Service, expert advice on soils
from the Department OF Agriculture,
assistance from the Public Health
Service, down to seaplanes from the
Navy and radio outfits and operators.
This, Mr.. Fieser says, is aptly illus
trated in the Mississippi Valley dis
aster.
In the case of the japanese earth
quake, Mr.. Fieser recalls, the naval
radio service was placed at the dis
posal of the Red Cross TO render as
sistance and transmit necessary mes
sages. The Shipping Board, Navy
and Army transports opened their
hold for cargo space for supplies to
Alleviate suffering.
Part of the Washington Office has
supervision over activities east OF the
Mississippi and the State of Louisiana.
The st. Louis branch Office has con-
troll over the area west of the Mis-
sissippi River to the Rockies and the
San Francisco branch Office has
charge Of the seven States in the Far
West. Backing up its activities are
100000 adult and 100000 junior
members of the Red Cross.
Mr.. Fieser declares that there are
from so to 100 disasters over the
United States every year. large ana
small. ranging from floods, cyclones
and hurricanes to epidemics and mine
disasters. News Of these disturbances
is communicated to the Red Cross. by
| the press services or newspapers, or
often by an operator who sends word
| before a wire goes out. This sets IN
| motion the immense disaster relief
machinery. starting with the local
unit, backed by the national organi-
| cation and supported by the United
| States Government itself.
The President of the United States
| is the president OF the American Red
Cross. On several occasions In recent
years an occupant of the White House
| has called upon the American people
| to aid in some disaster at home or
abroad. This occurred in December,
| 1906. when President Taft appealed for
| the victims Of the famine in China.
and again in1910 after the earthquake
in Costa Rica and in 1912 after 2
second Chinese famine.
Aided War Sufferers.
President Wilson in 1914 had occa-
sion to take similar steps when
famine ragged in Japan. as he had the
year before during the Ohio Valley
flood disaster. When the World War
| broke in Europe in the late Summer
of 1914 President Wilson appealed for
funds for the war sufferers, and a year
later found him urging the American
people to contribute for the succor- OF
Mexican victims. In 1917, when the
United States entered the conflict, he
asked his fellow-countrymen to give
literally for their own, and in 1899
another proclamation went forth un.
der his hand asking assistance for the
Chinese famine relief.
The Pueblo floods in 1921 called for
a proclama ton from President Hard
ing, and the year after Symrna relief
was the occasion for like appeal by
him. In 1923 President Coolidge issued
a plea on the basis of the Japanese
earthquake. Last year the Florida
hurricane evoked a proclamation. as
did the Mississippi Valley disaster this
year. -
All these events, Mr.. Fieser asserts.
have added materially to disaster RAJ
lief data. The Mississippi Valley ex-
perience a few weeks ago contributed
literally to this fund of information,
for progressive methods were utilized
to bear relief, making full use of air
craft and radio to supplement the
better known channels of aid.
Mr.. Fieser feels that whatever dis
aster may befall in the future the
American Red Cross, in cooperation
with the American people. will be able
to cope with it through a system Of
preparation deemed as vital for cons
munities as is military preparedness
for nations.