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Show EED CROSS RELIEF GIVEN TO VICTIMS IN 103 DISASTERS Tornadoes, Fires, Hurricanes, Floods, Epidemics, Make Record of Year A history of the disasters in the United States in any year is written annually by the American Red Cross, according to Chairman John Barton Payne, commenting on the report for the year ending June 30, i03-4, which has just been issued in Washington. "Because of the charter provision which places upon the Red Cross the responsibility for disaster relief, our chapter and staff workers are notified noti-fied of all calamities of storm and fire and flood," he continued. "The emergency period may prove to be brief, in cases where the victims have their own resources to draw on. While it lasts, however, whether it brings the immediate need of food, clothing and shelter for the homeless, home-less, or entails a program of investigation inves-tigation and rehabilitation, the Red Cross is the official director of all relief." A great variation in type, and a wide geographical distribution, characterize the 103 disasters reported re-ported last year. Tornadoes, hurricanes, hurri-canes, hailstorms and other storms made up almost one half of the total. Especially numerous were the tropi-I tropi-I cal storms which swept in from the sea to the Atlantic and Gulf Coast region. There were 21 storms of this type, establishing a new record for frequency. Next in number to storms were disasters of fire, the report shows. Red Cross aid was given following 25 fires In the United States and insular in-sular posessi.ons. The most spectacular spectac-ular was the Chicago stockyards fire, where Red Cross workers arrived ar-rived shortly after the fire started, administering relief until the emergency emer-gency period passed, giving first aid to about 1,000 persons. Floods caused serious damage in some sections, 17 calling for Red Cross relief. Three explosions were reported and three epidemics of malaria ma-laria and typhoid fever. A school bus wreck was one of the year's tragedies trage-dies for which Red Cross funds were needed for relief and rehabilitation. "Technique acquired by the Red Cross in these disasters and the hundreds of others we have handled is at the service of the public,"-Chairman public,"-Chairman Payne said. "To make this possible the disaster relief service ser-vice has issued a manual containing instructions for chapters interested in advance preparations for emergencies. emer-gencies. Disaster institutes were held last year in 28 strategic locations, loca-tions, to enable Red Cross and civic workers to formulate plans for possible pos-sible disaster emergencies in their communities. Support of the disaster relief activities ac-tivities of the Red Cross comes from the annual roll call held each year from Armistice Day to Thanksgiving Day. |