The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-11-17

GyNQDU' day to THANKSGIVING day when the
American Red Cross holds it's annual roll call
and invites the support of the American people
by Joining its membership
During that time Mr.. John Citizen hears lot
Of talk about this organization, he reads about
1t in the newspapers, and in the coat lapel of
his fellow citizens, wherever he goes, he sees the
familiar little white button with the scarlet cross
on it. So when he is asked to become men,
Der he answers, "Sure, I'll join! know the Red
Cross is doing a fine work, and if my member
ship will help out, why, here it isl
Thus the response Of the average American
for approximately two weeks out of the 80 in
the years. The chances are that during the
other 80 weeks he doesn't have occasion to think
about it especially Then there comes a disas-
ter-a tornado, food a mine explosion or an
epidemic of some sort.
If Mr.. Citizen is a resident of the stricken
community, he has good reason to think of the
Red Cross again. For long before federal, state
or county relief agencies can begin to function,
the Red Cross has swung into action.
Even if he isn't one of those whose home has
been swept away or has lost relative or friend
in some other way has had the disaster
brought close to him, he has good reason to
think of the Red Cross again. For as he reads
in his newspaper the first accounts of the dis
aSter, he is sure to come across some such sig
nificant statement this 1.-THE Red Cross is
mobilizing its forces to meet the emergency
or RED Cross workers have already arrived on
the scene and are directing the relief work"
Perhaps Mr.. John Citizen doesn't realize that
he had part in that relief work. small though
it may have BEEN But he did. That money
which he handed over when he received his lit
tie white button with the red cross on it during
the last roll call, added to the thousands and
tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of
similar contributions, Is what makes it possible
for the Red Cross to be on the job so quickly
when the call for action comes. For all regular
services of the Red Cross derive their support
from the annual roll call and the strength of the
organization lies in it's mass membership.
Perhaps he doesn't realize either, how ex-
tensive is the work of the Red Cross. But If he
would realize 1t, let him look at the record of
last year.
Reaching into nearly every county of the
United States, the American Red Cross the past
year carried relief to 25,0O0,000 persons This
relief included: aid to victims in 40 disasters:
assistance to veterans and their families; help
for the unemployed; the distribution of S5,00O-
600 bushels of government wheat-nearly H.
100000 barrels of flour-to 100000 families:
and the distribution of $4,000 bales of govern
ment cotton-55,000000 ready-made garments
100000 yards of cloth-to more than 100000
families.
These humanitarian activities, extending into
every section of every state were made possible
branches, with their thousands of volunteer
workers who, trained in Red Cross courses gave
freely Of their time in order that life might be
made bearable for the needy or unfortunate of
their communities
The Red Cross is known for its efficiency In
meeting disaster emergencies Never in more
than 80 years of disaster experience has the
call for Red Cross assistance been more con-
slant and imperative than in the last II months
CatastropheS crowded upon one another AFT the
rate of ten month"; total of 12O in the year.
Major calamities are enthusiastically rural
For every fire earthquake that strikes the
pOpulace of large city, requiring Red Cross
ministraton, there many floods hurricanes,
tornadoes, droughts. grasshopper infestations
and other disasters assailing the smaller towns
and the agricultural sections.
Although national and local officials of the
federal emergency relief administration have
said repeatedly that Federal relief funds can
not be used in providing the necessities for
which the Red Cross assumes responsibility"
there has been some confusion in the public
mind as to what the Red Cross does and what
the government does. Red Cross relief is given
TO disaster sufferers in need. Government re-
lief consists in giving employment and whatever
additional relief is required for the maintenance
of family regardless of whether or not they
are disaster sufferers. Thus the Red Cross con-
tinutes its functions the national disaster re-
lief agency.
There were A tornadoes and "a floods in the
United States last year, and the Red Cross in
each case met the emergency and brought about
rehabilitation. During one period of Il weeks
46 disasters occurred in % states, many Of them
affecting wide areas.
In the United States relief was given in PIT
counties and ten towns. There were eight storms