Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-21
D. C. RED CROSS
! QUOTA INCREASED.
Absolute Minimum Set at S..
100000 by National Red
Cross Officials.

view. Chairman Payne and his assist
ant, James L. FieSer, redoubled thell
efforts today intent on impreSsing eacf
local chapter with the seriousness Of
the situation in Storm-wrecked regions
and the imperative need of money II
famine and disease are to be stamped
out of the devastated areas.
$4,000 Mark Passed.
The Nations Capital, ever prompt to
come to the aid of suffering neighbors
dipped deep into its pockets today and
swelled the total of the cityS contribu-
ton past the $4,000 mark. Victor B.
Deyber, who is handling the financial
end of the local relief work, had re-
corded a total of $4,000 this morning.
Donations were coming in so rapidly,
he said, that his staff of assistants had
been unable to make a complete report
of the amount received.
The cashiers Office of The Evening
Star had received so many donations
this morning that the men in charge
of the work reported at noon that they
were "Swamped" and had not had time
to figure up the total.
Red Cross officials made their appeal
for more money when reports from their
workers in the stricken districts indi-
Gated that 100000 persons in Porto
Rico and $4,000 families in Florida are
destitute and in immediate need of as
sistance II they are to survive.
Fieser on Duty All Night.
Vice Chairman Fieser and his staff
were on duty all night at national head
quarters receiving reports from field
workers. Chairman Payne's message,
sent to all local chapters following tab
ulauon of reports, follows:
FIRST surveys of both Porto Rico and
Florida disaster received at midnight
by cable from Baker and telephone
from Schafer indicate that needs in
both places far exceed preliminary es-
Inmates. In Porto Rico 100000 are des-
titute and near to starvation, with
grave health problems and threatened
epioemicS. Refugees must be fed
clothed and sheltered by the Red Cross
for long emergency period. In Florida
there are $4,000 families requiring emer-
gency aid and later rehabilitation. Five
million dollars will be the absolute min
tmurn required as a relief fund"
Henry NJ. Baker; referred to in the
message, is the national Red Cross
director of disaster relief, now super
vlSing relief work in Porto Rico and
the Virgin Islands, and A. L. Schafer
Is directing relief operations in Florida.
100000 Absolutely Destitute.
Mabbit K. Reckord, associate director
of Red Cross relief work in Porto Rico,
sent the following report of conditions
there:
After survey inland by Crane, Carr
and Taylor, believe, subject to later
revision, probably upward that at least
100000 persons are absolutely destitute
and dependent upon the Red Cross for
food, clothing, shelter and medical aid
for a considerable period and for later
rehabilitation With homes. crops and
employment gone, literally thousands
are sleeping on the ground, with no
bedding or, blankets, and existing en-.
tirely on unripe fruits blown down.
Babies and children obviously great Suf-l
ferers, and. present extremely pathetic
picture. Situation is fraught with dan
gerous possibilities, such as epidemics.
Typhoid, measles and influenza preva-
lent. Malaria prevalent to great ex-
tent. Health authorities combating sit
uation from every possible angle.
Roads in many sections cluttered
with families walking miles in search
of food. Clothing and tons of food
being rushed to all sections to prevent
actual starvation of thousands. Ex-
tremely critical need exists for bare
necessities of life constituting one Of
most serious situations this kind Red
Cross has faced. Suffering and need
appreciation everywhere for the prompt
action of the Red Cross. The emergency
need is rapidly being met and sound
organization perfected. Baker sailed
early. Thursday morning for Virgin
Islands Please ship in addition to
previous shipment 1000 tents, 10000
cots and 5000 blankets"
Food is Biggest Need.
Director Baker reported that food is
an outstanding need. II have. there
fore, arranged for the mobilization If
necessary" he said, "of the entire
trucking facilities of San Juan. The
emergency situation as to food and
clothing is of major proportions and
urge all possible haste to combat these
conditions"
On the strength Of his appeal, the
local chapter of the Red Cross urged
the citizens Of Washington to donate
as much "serviceable, thin clothing" as
possible Such articles should be sent
to the local headquarters at S2l Six
tenth street.
Mr.. .fer notified his superiors
here tocay that the death list Of ap-
proximately 400 in the southeastern
lake Okeechobee region undoubtedly
will be increased In addition to this
list, Miss Helen Colwell, at Okeechobee
City reported % known dead with II
missing.
Cemeteries Overcrowded.
These reports said special factories
making caskets worked all night. A
continuous chain of trucks bore the
caskets to death areas and returned
with loads of bodies for burial at West
Palm Beach.
Many cemeteries are flooded and re-
covered bodies are lying at the road
side awaiting caSkets. Extraordinary
precautions, it was said, are being taken
to prevent contagion.
A survey of West Palm Beach resulted
IN conservative" report that at least
95 per cent of the property there has
been demolished or damaged. The
great spirit to, clear the streets of de-
briS. ... o.
Concentration of refugees in perma-
neat camps began yesterday when a
colored refugee camp was established
on the Pompano race track and another
for whites at Miami.
Juneau Nearly Over Top.
Oficials at the Red Cross national
uehuUUhILcIS SdtO LIlcy LIdu UEcH tlLl-
able to compute the total of the ma
tional contributions
The chapter In Juneau, Alaska, cabled
as follows: will oversuhscribe our
quota of $500. Have over $500 COL
lected today. Expect good subscriptions
from our branches. Good luck" II
also was announced that a check fol
$1,000 and message Of encouragement
had been received from Will Rogers.
Great admiration for the efficient or
ganization the Red Cross has swung
into operation to relieve the distress
was expressed. today by Baron Erik
Stjernstedt, secretary general of The
Swedish Red Cross. who has been g.,
the national headquarters for the pas
few days.