Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
'RED CROSS WORK
AT PEAK THIS YEAR
Unusual Group of Disasters
Makes New Record for
Far-FIung Activities.
Star staff Photos.


By the Associated Press -
ss. With more than half the States in
the United States receiving aid as the
result Of 1929 disasters, the American
Red Gross faces an unprecedented re-
lief situation.
Statistics assembled at Red Cross
headquarters yesterday showed that
Red Cross workers are now extending
relief in IS States. Five of these States
have suffered twice recently and two
States have suffered three times.
Exclusive of the Virginia tornado Of
May 2 and the New Hampshire flood
of May 3, victims Of disaster this
Spring totaled 1905 persons. Be-
cause their workers have entered the
field so recently, the Red Cross has
not vet been able to make an accurate
check on the last two. of the IS dis
asters which have occurred since Janu-
airy /.
One hundred and fifty-nine trained
widely scattered fields. They were fur
nishing shelter, food and clothing to
the residents of the New Hampshire
village of Kidderville, virtually wiped
out by the breaking of the Balsam Dam
Friday night. They were penetrating
into the remote mountain districts
about Rye Cove, Scott County. Va, to
fight the threatened tetanuS aftermath
Of Thursday nights tornado.
Making Canvass.
They were making a house-to-house
canvass in Dublin, Ga, to make GER
tain that every victim needing anti
tetanus toxin as the result of injuries
received in the April IS tornado should
receive treatment. They were distribut-
ing seed. feed and mules along the Ala
bama River from a relief boat preceded
by a scout boat. In Scribner, Nebr,.
they we're caring for the widows Of
men killed in dynamite explosion.
While there have bsen many times
in the history of the organization when
there were more Red Cross workers in
the field, due to some tremendous single
disaster, there has never been a time
when Red Cross activities were so far
hung as the result Of many minor
disasters.
During the fiscal year ending June 80,
1928, 80 catastrophies requiring relief
measures were Tailed by the Red Cross
bureau Of statistics. In the period from
July l. 1928, to May 4. 1912, l16 dis
asters had been reported.
Record Of Relief.
Since the close Of its last fiscal year
the American Red Cross has appropri-
ated $750,000 from the national treasury
for disaster relief. The major portion
Of this amount has been appropriated
since the LIST of January to care for
the many catastrophies OF 1929.
II the appropriation continues at its
present rate. the organization will have
expended 100000 in relief at the end
of its fiscal year, almost $780, 900 more
than thu average. For the past five
years the average has been $4,000.
Statistics assembled over q period of
40 years indicate that disastrous storms
are as frequent in their visitations as
fires and floods combined.
Mississippi, however, tailed two floods
to one tornado this Spring. Georgia
had two tornadoes and one food. Ken
lucky, North Carolina. South Carolina,
Illinois and Alabama had two disasters
apiece, with foods taking precedence
over tornadoes.
The rest of the States visited by
catastrophy and which are now recup-
Grating were wyoming, Nebraska, Penn
sylvania, Florida, Iowa, Montana, Ar
kansas. Tennessee, New York, Virginia.
Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wis
consin, Texas, Maryland, West Virginia
and New Hampshire.