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Show m CROSS RELIEF given to victims 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. 1934. 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 of all calamities of storm and fire and flood," he continued. "The emergency period may prove to be brief. In case where the victims have their own resources re-sources to draw on. While It lasts, however, whether It brings the Immediate Imme-diate need of food, clothing and shelter for the homeless, or entails a program of investigation and rehabilitation, the Red Cross is the official director of all relief." A great variation in type, and a wide geographical distribution, characterize char-acterize the 103 disasters reported last year. Tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms hail-storms and other storms made up almost al-most one half of the total. Especially numerous were the tropical storms which swept in from the sea to the Atlantic and Gulf Coast region. There were 21 storms of this type, establishing establish-ing a new record for frequency. Next in number to storms were disasters dis-asters of Are, the report shows. Red Cross aid was given following 25 fires in the United States and insular possessions. pos-sessions. The most spectacular was the Chicago stockyards Are, where Red Cross workers arrived shortly after the fire started, administering relief until the emergency 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 and typhoid fever. A school bus wreck was one of the year's tragedies for which Red Cross funds were needed for relief re-lief and rehabilitation. "Technique acquired by the Red Cross In these disasters and the hundreds hun-dreds of others we have handled Is at the service of the public." Chairman Payne said. "To make this possible the disaster relief service has Issued a manual containing Instructions for chapters interested in advance prepa rations for emergencies. Disaster fai stitues were held last year In 2S strategic iocatlohs, to enable Rid Cross and civic workers to formulate plans for possible disaster emergencies In their communities." Support of the disaster relief activi ties of the Red Cross comes from the annual roll call held each year from Armistice Day to Thanksgiving Day. |