The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-11-11
Luther P. Jefferson
Will buy your Cows, Calves and Hogs
and pay cash.
Phone Elkton 439W
Disasters Strike Al
States During Year
Red Cross Aids 100000 Persons
Following Catastrophes

That the past year has not been an
easy one for the American Red Cross 10
shown in q recent report listing dis
asters necessitating Red Cross relief
throughout the United States during
the past twelve months.
The report reveals that 1879 domestic
disasters called for Red Cross aid in
247 counties Of Al states. and that
assistance was given to 100000 persons
who were disaster victims.
"That this has been a very active
year is obvious when one compares
this years operations with the average
Of 90 disasters requiring Red Cross aid
annually for the past Is years." Chair
man Norman H. Davis said in COM
menting on the Red Cross Disaster
Relief Service report.
These catastrophes included cloud
bursts, cyclones, epidemics, fires,
foods, forest fires, hailstorms, mine ex-
plosions, a school bus accident, ship
wreck, tornadoes, typhoons, and wind
storms.
Disaster relief was the first humani.
tartan work of the American Red Cross
after it's organization in 1884," Mr..
Davis said. "In the ensuing 81 years
the flag of the Red Cross has flown
upon every scene Of major disaster in
the United States. The Red Cross has
carried relief-food, clothing, shelter,
medical aid, rehabilitation of homes
and families-to more than 1900 scenes
Of disaster at home and abroad, and
has expended over $140,000,O00 con-
tributed by the American public in this
work of mercy"
The Red Cross policies of relief, the
national chairman pointed out, have
been established over period of years
through actual experience of its work
ers in the field. Relief is given on
the basis Of need of sufferers-not of
losses. Loans, he pointed out, are never
made, but relief is a gift from the Red
Cross in the name Of its members and
contributors to its work.
1T would not be possible for the Red
Cross to carry out such widespread
relief activities without the help of
thousands Of volunteer workers." Mr..
Davis said. Volunteers are the main
stay of the organization, and in the
past years work assistance from many
cooperating agencies has made 1t pos
sible for us to answer the many calls
for help"
While relief was being given to VIC
tims-of natural catastrophes, the Red
Cross was not unmindful of the neces-
sity for preparedness plans to meet
emergencies that may arise in any
American community. Red Cross chap
ters in hundreds of counties have or
ganized disaster preparedness commit
tees charged with responsibility to
map relief plans in advance of need,
and to organize resources Of communi.
ties to prevent duplication of effort and
waste of materials when calls for help
are received.
These plans are proving especially
advantageous in localities subject to
frequent floods. tornadoes, or hurri-
canes, and actual tests of such plan
ming have demonstrated the necessity
for such measures.
"The administration Of such relief
for disaster victims Is made possible by
annual memberships of millions of
Americans in all walks of life," Mr..
Davis pointed out. "The extent of Red
Cross aid to such sufferers IL entirely
dependent upon unselfsh sharing ON
the part Of all Of US"