Evening star., 1953-06-23
Red Cross Studies
Better Services 10
Meet CHALLENGES


Red Cross activities both at
home and abroad were examined
today by delegates attending the
organizations 1853 convention,
in the light of challenges laid
down by two top members Of the
Eisenhower administration.
At a round of panel discus
sions, the delegates explored vir-
tually all phases of the Red
Cross program in an effort to de-
termine how to improve and ex-
tend Red Cross services.
The challenges were presented
last night in addresses delivered
by Mrs. Oveta Culp Hobby, Sec
retary Of Health, Education and
Defense, and DR.. John A. Han
nah, Assistant Secretary Of De-
fense for Manpower. Both spoke
at general session Of the ma
tional convention at Constitution
Hall.
Partnership Emphasized.
Mrs. Hobby and DR.. Hannah
emphasized the Importance of a
working partnership between the
Red Cross and the Federal Gov
ernment. Each cited ways in
which the delegates could help
strengthen the security of the
United States.
In the words of Mrs. Hobby,
the Red Cross is "the private
citizens way-the non-govern-
mental way-of meeting count
less needs which otherwise would
have to be met by the Federal
Government"
BY way of illustration, the Sec
retary recalled what happened
when a tornado struck Waco,
Tex, in May, leaving 104 people
dead or dying and 900 families
homeless.
THE strike came without
warning" she said. But before
the winds and rains had stopped
two hours later, the Red Cross
had modified its forces"
Ahead of Government.
State, local and military per-
sonnel went to work, she re-
counted. Nurses were recruited,
canteens. clothing depots and
shelter centers were established.
Blood was made available.
This disaster relief preceded
the work done by branches of
her own department, Mrs. Hobby
pointed out. It was followed by
assistance from such agencies as
the Public Health Service, the
Food and Drug Administration
and the Bureau of Old Age and
Survivors Insurance.
Secretary Hobby said the Red
Cross and the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare
have co-operated frequently in
many other ways, to the benefit
of citizens. She said still more
can be accomplished, and she
suggested the Red Cross would
do well to make use of the skills
and experience of older people,
whose numbers are increasing,
as volunteer workers.
Would Improve Facilities.
She urged the organization
not only to enlist more volunteers
in the coming year, but to ex-
pand and improve facilities for
meeting disaster and to stimulate
public interest in blood dona-
tionS. I
DR.. Hannah re-stated admins
tration warnings that the mill
tary faces a manpower shortage
and that truce in Korea will not
justify a lowering of defenses
anywhere in the world.
He said the Red Cross can
help the Government meet the
manpower problem by boosting
the morale of men in service.
He declared:
The Red Cross, which has
done so much to make military
service tolerable, can do even
more. 1t can help to make serv-
ice more attractive, so that men
will be interested in lifetime
careers of serving their country
in uniform"
DR.. Hannah pointed out that
q vital service of the Red Cross
is keeping military personnel
in contact with their families.
He described the area of COM
mun1cation as a growing chal-
lenge to the wisdom and highest
Skills Of the Red Cross in deal
ing with people.
He also called upon the dele
gates to help the Government
explain to all citizens why perils
of the time require that men
enlist or be drafted and some
times sent to serve far away
from ther loved ones. He said
the Red Cross is uniquely quail
fed" to perform this service.