The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1939-11-16
RED CROSS
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war in full swing and unknown dis
asters that might overtake us by the
end of the fiscal year next June, goes
without saying. The Red Cross has
been needed organization in the past
and it is hoped that all will flock to
their standard and allow them to keep
up the humane precepts of their call
ing and for which they are organized.
During the year which broke the re-
cord of disasters in the United States
amounting to 157 of major ones which
required Red Gross assistance, Mime
sofa tornadoes and forest fires neces-
STATED Red Gross rehabilitation aid to
more than 600 persons at total eX-
penditure of $4,000, according to F., A.
Winfrey, assistant manager in charge
of disaster operations in the midwestern
area.
The alarming rise in disasters ma
tionally, he pointed out, represent
figure approximately fifty per cent
higher than the average frequency of
80 recorded since the American Red
Gross was founded in 1884, Minnesota
was one of A states in which disaster
relief was given to total of 10000
victims during the fiscal year.
The biggest operation in Minnesota
the past year was the Anoka-H ennepin
counties tornado in June of this year,
when nine persons were killed, 14O
were injured, 40 homes were totally
destroyed and more than 200 were
damaged, as were many other build
ings. The Red Gross assumed all re-
sponsibility for rehabilitation of needy
families in addition to emergency relief
given in cooperation with other Or
carnations.
The Red Gross spent $4,000 in the
Anoka- Hennepin county operations.
The national organization granted
$4,000 to supplement a $4,000 fund
raised through public appeal.
New homes were built for 26 families;
so homes were repaired as were about
80 other buildings. Seventy fami-
| lies were furnished with household
goods, IA with food, clothing and main
tenance; Is with livestock and farm
supplies.
Thirteen families in Koochiching
county in october lost their homes and
most personal belongings when small
clearing fires near International Falls
became uncomfortable. The Red Gross
provided shelter and food for the fire
victims. Building of new homes and
replacing of household furnishings were
necessary for IL families. Local trades
men donated labor in construction of
homes, materials of which were fur
nished by the Red Cross. The operation
cost $1,000 which was granted by the
national organization
Late in August, 1888, tornado swept
through sparSely inhabited areas in
st. Louis and Itasca counties, killing
one person and injuring four. Nine
families were given assistance amount
ing to 81 $40 by the Duluth chapter, of
which Ely is part, most for rebuilding
of homes and replacing of household
goods
In all disaster relief operations, the
money spent by the Red Gross was
contributed entirely by the public,
either during the annual Roll Call
or, if the catastrope was large enough
to require it, by special fund appeals
at the time of the disaster, Mr.. Winfrey
explained
The fifty cents of each membership
which local chapters turn over to the
national Red Gross following the roll
call, makes possible financial aid such
as the national organization gave in
disasters in this state, the official en-
phasized.
Since its founding in 1881 the Red
Gross has aided victims in 2,495 dis
asters here and abroad, expanding
$143 100000 for rescue, food, clothing,
shelter, medical and nursing aid and
the permanent rehabilitation of families
unable to re-eStabliSh themselves the
report of Dewitt Smith, newly ap-
pointed director said in his annual re-
port for the fiscal year ending June 30
The total expenditures for last year
amounted to $2,276, 100 for the 157 dis
asters of the year. During the year
also Al 900 enlisted men or their families
were helped through its workers
stationed at army, navy, marine corps
and coast guard stations and through
Red Cross chapters from coast to
coast. The recent Congressional action
to increase the armed forces has
necessitated expansion of this vital SER
vice to enlisted men by the Red Gross.