Smyrna times., 1935-11-14
RED CROSS HAS
BUSY ONE YEAR
TornadOes, Fires, Hurricanes,
Floods, Epidemics, Make
Record of Year
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE ON


sufferers in more disasters through
out the United States during the
year ending June 80. 1885. than
through any similar period in the
peace-time history of the organiza
tion. Admiral Cary T. Grayson
chairman. revealed recently in com
menting on the annual report which
has just been released.
The 12S domestic disasters in
which the Red Cross extended aid
during the fiscal year exceeded by 56
per cent the average over the past
few years. Admiral Grayson said
mot only was the period heavy in
the number OF disasters. but the geo
graphical distribution was wide.
with 81 States and 353 counties af
fected.
Through these disasters and
times of community distress. the
Red Cross assisted 10000 persons
the Admiral disclosed.
Spectacular service was rendered
in many disasters because of the
uniqueness of the problems and the
far-fung points affected The work
of the National organization GOV.
cred in the report carries stories of
the Moro Castle burning: the
trench-mouth epidemic in the beau
tiful San Luis Valley OF Colorado:
the great fight over a wide front in
the midwest dust bowl against re.
spiratory diseases: floods. hurri
canes. and tornadoes in many sec
tions of the United States.
In addition to the disasters taking
place within the continental limits
of this country. Admiral Grayson
pointed out that work had been
made necessary by disasters in Ha
waii, Puerto Rico, and the Philip
pines, where 26 disasters were re.
corded in that archipelago. The
American Society also assisted the
Red Cross of two foreign countries
in caring for victims of floods and
earthquakes.
The variation of types of disasters
called for expert council on matters
relating to health and nutrition as
well as epidemic prevention Last
years work proved the value of the
structure and administration of the
Red Cross disaster relief. the Ad
miral said. the very frequency of oc
currence and the variety of types
constituting a severe test of the or
ganization chartered by Congress to
handle this type of National relief
Expenditures of the Red Cross for
relief of persons stricken by disas-
ters within the continental United
States amounted to s464.413. In ad
dition, $751; was sent to the Philip
pines to assist them in three major
relief operations necessitated by ty
phoons. $4,000 went to victims of the
Indian earthquake. and $4,000 to Po
land for victims of severe floods.
number of smaller foreign emergen.
cies called for sums totaling s2.500
The months of February, March
April. May and June were heaviest
for tornado disasters Floods oc.
Cured throughout the year. Serious
fires calling for Red Cross assistance
took place during July and Decem
ber A devastating explosion took
place in Tennessee during April
Most of the hurricanes struck States
along the east coast during the fall
and early winter
'All of this assistance to persons
in distress" Admiral Grayson point.
ed out. was only possible through
generous contributions made by citi.
zens in all sections of the country"
Most of this support of the disaster
relief service comes from the annual
Roll Call held each year from Armis
tice Day to Thanksgiving Day.