The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-11-16

MA MIb organization devoted exclusively
lfnrHn An to the humanitarian enterprise OF
srse 1W answering In practical way the
hnnnn1IH call of human distress. That Is
II1tkR during the period from Armistice
IQQUps day to Thanksgiving day when the
American lied Cross holds Its 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 1t. So when he Ia asked to become mem
Der he answers, Sure, I'll join know the Red
Cross Is doing fine work, and If my member
ship will help out, why, here 1t is.'
Thus the response of the average American
for approximately two weeks out OF the So In
the years. The chances are that during the
other so weeks he doesn't have occasion to think
about 1t especially Then there comes dIsas-
ter-a tornado, flood, mine explosion or an
epidemic OF some sort
Ii 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 II he isn't one OF those whose home has
been swept away or has lost relative or friend
or 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
% his newspaper the first accounts OF the dis
Aster, he Is sure to come across some such sig
nfcant statement as this, 1.-THE Red Cross Is
mobilizing Its forces to meet the emergency"
or RED Cross workers have already arrived on
the scene and directing the relief work"
Perhaps Mr.. John Citizen doesn't realize that
he had part In that relief work, small though
1t 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 1t during
the last roll call, added to the thousands and
tens Of thousands and hundreds Of thousands OF
similar contributions, Is what makes 1t 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 II he
would realize It, 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 2500O,000 persons This
relief included. aid to victims In 100 disasters;
assistance to veterans and their families. help
Tor the unemployed, the distribution or SoUOU,-
600 bushels OF government wheat-nearly H.
100000 barrels OF hour-to 100000 families;
and the distribution of $4,000 bales OF govern
ment cotton-55.0OO,000 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
by the 370O Red Cross chapters and 10000
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 unfortunate OF
their communities.
The Red Cross Is known for Its efficiency In
meeting disaster emergencies Never In more
call for Red Cross assistance been more CON
slant and imperative than In the last - months
Catastrophes crowded upon one another at the
rate OF ten month"; total of 120 In the year
Major calamities are enthusiastically rural
For every fire or earthquake that strikes the
populace Of a large city, requiring Red Gross
ministration there are many floods, hurricanes
tornadoes, droughts, grasshopper lnfestation.
and other disasters assaing the smaller towns
and the agricultural sections.
Although national and local officials of thu
federal emergency relief administration hay
said repeatedly that Federal relief funds can
not be used in providing the necessities TO
which the Red Cross assumes responsibility,
there has been some confusion In the publ
mind as to what the Red Cross does and wha
the government does Red Cross relief u give