Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-06
AID OF RED CROSS
IN FIRES EXPLAINED
Convention Delegates Hear
From Scenes of New Eng
land Disasters.

Delegates to the annual convention of
the American Red Cross paused in their
convention program this morning to
hear first hand reports of relief meas
ures taken in four Eastern States which
in the last few days have suffered ire
mendous losses in brush and forest fires.
Robert E.. Bondy, manager of the
Eastern area, telling the delegates that
this year, as in other years, "a dramatic
incident of disaster" had developed
overnight. reported that 10 chapters in
New Hampshire, New Jersey. New York
and Rhode Island are bearing the brunt
OF emergency relief.
Fire Cost Reaches Millions.
Fires in these States have taken a
toll Of millions of dollars in property
damage and have rendered hundreds of
persons homeless in the last week.
Lack of rain has greatly handicapped
fire fighters and in many instances.
Bondy reported, ex-service men have
volunteered to fight the flames: Bondy's
report, based on latest information to
Red Cross disaster headquarters, said
that $50 homes had been destroyed In
New Hampshire. causing 1900 persons
to be homeless and consequent unem-
ployment.
Two thousand men were fighting fires
in Rhode Island yesterday and were
being fed by the Red Cross while at
their labors.
Homes and timberlands have been
destroyed in New Jersey one county re-
porting the loss of 80 homes and Ocean
County the loss of 100.
The most serious condition obtains
in New Hampshire, and Bondy said
that Maurice Reddy, national director
of disaster preparedness, left for New
Jersey yesterday with staff worker to
organize relief measures in that State.
Health Conscience" Urged.
The necessity for campaign to give
the Nation a health conscience" was
urged upon the convention today by
Prof. G. E. A. Winslow, director of the
School of Hygiene Of Yale University,
and DR.. Ellen Potter, director of the
New Jersey division Of institutes and
agencies.
Prof Winslow, In citing the need for
great physical health, asserted that at
present 100000 children apply yearly
for admission to American schools and
that of this number $4,000 are tubur-
cular. This number rises to 100000 by
the time this group Of children reaches
high school age. he said.
Could the total of mental diseases
and defects be weighed, he continued,
they would be found equivalent to ''all
other types of physical diseases and de-
fects taken together"
Others addressing the second general
session of the convention were Thomas
W. Gosling. superintendent of schools,
Akron. Ohio. and Walter Davidson. as
sistant general manager Of the Eastern
area Of the Red Cross.
Annual Dinner Tonight.
Following tse general session the con-
vention broke Up into various round
table conferences. This evening the an
nual dinner will be held in the May
flower Hotel.
Judge Payne Speaks.
A colorful gathering of delegates last
evening heard an address by Judge
John Barton Payne, national chairman,
and witnessed the presentation of the
Mabel T. Boardman trophy to the chap
ter. which enrolled the greatest per-
centage of its community in the Or
garization last year.
The award of handsome silk Red
Cress flag was made to the Milford,
N. H., chapter. Judge Benjamin F..
Prescott, chairman Of the chapter, re-
ceived the trophy at presentation ex-
eIciSeS lOlloWLlB ouuBe Fdylc duuI COS.
Douglas Griesemer, national director Of
the roll call, made the presentation.
Judge Payne reviewed the history Of
the Red Cross and outlined in particu-
lar the development of the League of
Red Cross Societies, of which SO nations
now are members, including Turkey.
the latest nation to signify a wish to
cooperate with the nations in disaster
and educational relief work.
Dr. Rene Sand, technical counselor
of the league, was to have delivered an
address last night, but his appearance
was postponed on account of the late
arrival Of his ship from France. He
will speak tonight at the annual dinner.