Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
Roosevelt Pleads
For Strong Support
OF Red Cross
Called Strongest Shield
Against Forces
Of Destruction
BY the Associated Press.

generous, Warm-hearted support to
the Red Cross and make it "one of
our strongest shields against the
forces of Observation-Disclosures acti-
waited by nature or man."
The Chief Executive spoke from
the White House on a Nationwide
radio program which launched the
annual Roll Call of the 58-year-old
relief organization. Celebrities of
the theater and other entertain
ment fields joined in the appeal.
Mr.. Roosevelt said the Red Cross
this year was being called on to
meet an unusual number of appeals
for aid from every quarter, the con-
f1ict in Europe bringing added re-
sponsibilities" to the domestic or
ganization. member of the Inter-
national Red Cross.
I'VE of this fortunate country"
he said, ARE already doing much,
in the name of humanity, on be-
half of the unfortunate victims Of
this unhappy conflict"
Health At Home.
Declaring the battle to preserve
life and health at home was equally
important, re said:
The psychology of hate and de-
struction so rampant today makes
it too easy to forget that while war
is not human necessity. neither
are the preventable deaths which
harp, nation of peace
1T is essential, therefore, that the
Red Cross continue its efforts to
reduce the number of avoidable
accidents and illnesses which yearly
take the lives of hundreds of thou
sands of Americans"
The Chief Executive declared the
Red Cross Roll Call for members
begins today Armistice Day. but
there can be no armistice in our war
against need and human suffering"
Text Of Address.
The text of the Presidents adj
dress follows:
I have gladly accepted the invi-
tation to say a few words on this
program launching the annual Roll
Call of the American Red Cross. I
join in this appeal because the Presi-
dent Of the United States also Is
president of the American Red Cross.
Moreover I believe with heart and
soul that all of us Americans should
do everything we can to support an
organization of such vital impor-
lance to our people.
knowledge of our individual re-
sponsibility toward the national and
international services of the Red
Cross is always essential to the sue
cess of these ministrations of mercy.
We should bear in mind that. dur
ing the Roll Call the Red Cross does
not ask us to make mere dona-
ton. 1t invites us to join-to take
our place in the legion of men and
women of good will who make the
Red Gross one of our strongest
shields against the forces OF de-
struction-whether activated by ma
ture or man. ~, y,
We must realize that regardless
of race, creed or color the Red
! Cross deeply matters to us as indi-
viduals in world darkened by con-
| f1ict and misery.
.s.t Record of Service. 80.
The Red Cross stands upon a re-
markable record of service to hui
mainly. Founded in 1881 and char
tered by Congress in 1905 as our
national voluntary relief agency the
American Red Cross has played a
conspicuous part in relieving the
distress which has followed every
national disaster. The growth of its
services to the Nation has been In
direct proportion to the growing
confidence of the American people
/ in its ability to respond swiftly and
competently to emergency situa-
tons
The Red Cross this year is being
called upon to meet an unusual
number of appeals for aid from
every quarter. Because our Red
Cross is a member of the large
family of Red Cross societies which,
in time of war, join with the neu-
trail International Red Cross in &C.
neva in the alienation of suffering
caused by war. the conflict in Eu-
rope has brought added RESPONSE
bilities to our national organiza-
ton.
We of this fortunate country are
already doing much, in the name
OF humanity, on behalf of the unfor-
tunate victims of this unhappy con-
f1ict. am sure you would not want
1t otherwise, and when the time
comes for the Red Cross to ask your
help to continue this work 1 am
confident for your sympathetic re-
Spouse.
Our Red Cross.
Equally important, however, is
the Northumberland battle of
our Red Cross to preserve life and
health here at home. The psychol-
ogy OF hate and destruction so ram
pant today makes it too easy to for
get that while war is not a human
necessity, neither are the prevent
able deaths, which harm a nation
at peace. 1t is essential, therefore.
that the Red Cross continue its ef-
forts to reduce the number of avoid
able accidents and illnesses which
yearly take the lives of hundreds of
thousands of Americans.
To make this possible we must
keep our Red Cross prepared
through memberships and contri-
buttons to meet any and all emer-
gencies, whether at home or abroad.
The annual Roll Call of the Ameri-
can Red Cross begins today, Armi-
stice Day, but there can be no
armistice in our war against need
and human suffering.
We have been told many times
that 1t is our Red Cross, that it is
our voluntary agency for the relief
and prevention of suffering of our
neighbors at home and abroad-and,
perhaps, of ourselves. I would like
to underscore the truth of that
ct faneov,f ;e n,,~ DAD @r>~~