The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-06-03
The Red Cross Policy

Recent observance Of the fiftieth anniversary OF
of the American Red Cross and of the 70
zenith anniversary Of the Burleigh county chapter, ser
o focus attention on this far-reaching organiza.
phich serves at home and abroad with equal readiness
Probably the biggest and most important job ever p
to the Red Cross In this country was that of
ewing suffering from drouth last fall in a number
ur middle western states. The manner in which Il
ob was handled is typical Of all work done by the +
ross In cases Of major disaster. The policy follow
'as outlined by James L.. Feser, an executive Of the F
ross, as follows:
81. Neither the national organizations nor the
chapters engaged in drought relief work are
making bulk purchases of foodstuffs. Instead.
the usual disaster practice Of giving beneficiaries
orders on local merchants is being followed. The
soundness Of this practice has been demonstrated
many times and the reasons for 1t are fairly OBJ
vious. 1t is not only desirable in times of disaster
but practically essential that the normal chan
nels of trade be supported. In general no adj
vantage has been taken of the Red Cross but on
the contrary dealers in the drought affected ter
ritory are billing the chapters at very reasonable
prices. To undertake to build up our own chan
nels of distribution would not only be resented by
local people but would actually have a bad effect
upon the economic conditions in the drought ter
ritory. Furthermore, it would be expensive to
provide our own channels for the distribution of
supplies and it is doubtful whether local chapter
personnel in the territory affected would conduct
the work for us on the scale now being urged
which would completely paralyze local business.
20. Chapters outside of the drought area have
not been permitted to use drought relief contri-
buttons for the purchase of food supplies to be
shipped into the drought area. A desire to do
this is expressed by some chapters in all disas-
tiers. Business groups in all parts Of the country
see an opportunity to stimulate trade in their
own community and especially at present to dis
pose of large surplus stocks.
SO. Large quantities of donated foodStuffS
have been accepted and shipped into counties
where the largest number Of persons were at
tected and where it was possible for local chap
tiers to distribute the supplies to supplement
foods being purchased locally on orders from the
Red Cross. Such donated supplies have not been
accepted in lieu Of cash and applied on the cam
paign quotas of the communities making the do
nations. These donations have been accepted,
Of course, subject to our ability to make ~satisfac-
tory transportation and distribution arrange
ments. We have from the beginning declined to
accept perishable foodstuffs which could not be
handled without refrigeration costs which would
have made the project Improbable. With the dis
continuance Of the free transportation privilege
it is apparent that in most instances at least it
will not be economical hereafter to accept dona-
tons Of foodstuffs. TO date $40 carloads Of food
stuffs have been accepted. Assuming an average
of 1000 pounds to the Car, this would represent
10000 900 pounds Of foodstuffs. It will readily
be seen that the quantities already accepted rep
resent q large operation. curtailing materially the
quantities Of foodstuffs which would otherwise
have been purchased within the affected terri
tory. Detailed reports will, Of course, ultimately
be available showing the points Of origin and
destination Of all Of these supplies. together with
complete details as to the quantity Of each COM
modify"
he matter under discussion when the statement wa
ed was q charge that the Red Cross had refused t