Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-22
RED CROSS SEEKS
TO SPEED Up AID
Hurricane Relief Fund for
Nation Lays, but Capt.
tai Is Active.

officials of the National Red Cross
went into executive session this morn
ing to seek ways and means of speed
ing up contributions to their $5,000,-
600 hurricane relief fund when a check
last night disclosed that only $879,35l
Of the needed amount had been re-
ceived up to that time.
The immediate need of money was
further emphasized today when addi-
tional reports from workers in the
storm-sWept regions of Florida and
Porto Rico indicated that pestilence and
famine are lowering over the devaS-
tated homes. ready to add their horrors
to the already staggering burden of the
storm victims.
Workers at Red Cross headquarters
however, explained that most Of the
money in hand to date is from the large
chapters in the East and that the re-
ports from Western sections and the
smaller chapters are by no means COM
plete.
All chapters have been urged to have
their reports in by Monday morning and
officials believe the total of contribu-
tons at that time will be much more
impressive.
Capital Fund Progresses.
While contributions from the Nation
as whole were tagging bit, Washing
tonlanS were making an impressive
showing. A compilation of donations
today indicated that nearly one-third
OF the local quota has been raised or
promised.
Victor B. Deyber, who is handling the
financial end of the local work. had re-
ceived $12,455.76 at an early hour to-
day. This is exclusive of the hundreds
Of dollars sent to The Evening Star and
a $4,000 contribution promised by a
local civic organization Monday.
The manager of the Gayety Theater
informed the District Chapter of the
Red Cross today that his theater will
give two benefit performances in the
near future, donating one-half of the
ticket money to the relief fund.
A letter has been sent by the District
Chapter to all Washington clergy urg-
ing them to make an appeal for funds
from their pulpits Sunday. Many pas
tors have indicated they will take this
step in behalf of the storm sufferers.
Women have been placed in banks,
theaters and stores to receive donations,
and this number may be increased
These workers have received a great
many small donations, which, it is be-
lieved, the giverS would have hesitated
to send to a regular receiving station.
Gov. Alfred E. Smith from KinsIey,
Kans., sent the following telegram to
John Barton Payne, chairman of the
Red Cross, today:
II learned with profound grief that
the distress in both Porto Rico and
Florida is even greater than it at first
appeared to be. The distress of these
stricken people should move America to
come speedily to their assistance. 1
earnestly indorse the appeal which the
this country 1 hope and believe that
it will meet with speedy and generous
response
President Sends Message.
This message followed close on the
heels of one from President Coolidge,
who, when advised at Ludlow, VT, that
the Red Cross had fixed a minimum
goal of 100000 for it's West Indies
hurricane relief fund, sent the following
message to the Red Cross at Washing
ton:
II am gratified that the Red Cross
acted so promptly upon receipt OF its
first surveys of the extent of the needs
following the hurricane which, after the
devastation it had already wrought in
the Virgin Islands and Porto Rico, has
exacted a toll of a great loss of life,
suffering and property devastation in
Florida. I earnestly request our citizens
to respond promptly in meeting the goal
of at least five million dollars which
the Red Cross has requested for the
relief of those whose plight will appeal
to the most generous impulses of our
people,"
In Florida, where the dreaded hurri-
canes have taken their greatest toll of
American lives and property, the re-
spouse to the appeal Of the Red Cross
has been exceedingly prompt.
The chapter at Tallahassee, capital
OF the State, wired it had more than
doubled its quota and would continue
its efforts