Congressional appropriation of $50,000,000 for war relief. Under the terms of this Act, passed in June 1940, the President was authorized to purchase in this country through Governmental agencies supplies for "the relief of refugee men, women and children who have been driven from their homes or otherwise rendered destitute by hostilities or invasion." He was authorized to distribute these supplies through the American Red Cross or other agencies. Through June 30, 1941, the President had allocated $45,500,000 for the purchase and delivery of sup- plies to be distributed through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross has enjoyed and benefited greatly by the support of private agencies and groups interested in foreign war relief. The facilities of the Red Cross have been constantly avail¬able for the participation of such organizations in Red Cross activi¬ties. The suggestion has frequently been made that all organizations interested in foreign war relief should combine their activities and obtain support for their op¬erations through one campaign for funds. The American Red Cross is prepared to do its part to eliminate duplication and to pro¬tect the public from unwarranted campaigns. It should be realized, War Relief Poster - 1940 however, that the Red Cross has no authority, nor does it seek authority, to direct or control the activities of other organizations. It is prepared to accept contributions designated for relief to countries in which American Red Cross operations are being conducted and for purposes within the scope of Red Cross activities. The American Red Cross must, however, retain its freedom of action to meet effectively whatever emergencies may arise and to conduct relief operations in accordance with its established re-sponsibilities. It is required by law and treaty to limit the use of the Red Cross name and emblem to its own operations. Parts of a letter from the President of the United States to the Chairman of the Central Committee reemphasizing the position of the American Red Cross in war relief work as well as in domestic operations are quoted on the back cover of this report. Much of the effectiveness of the foreign war relief operations of the 12 American Red Cross is due to the cooperation of Governmental departments and agencies with which working relationships have been maintained for many years. Such cooperation is essential to the effective direction of relief opera¬tions in foreign countries in time of war. Assistance has been freely given by numerous services of the Federal Government, particularly by the Departments of State, Treasury, War, Justice, Navy, and Agriculture, as well as by the United States Public Health Service and the Maritime Commission. Chapter Production Immediately following the outbreak of war in the fall of 1939, chapters throughout the land organized thousands of volunteers anxious to do their share in helping the Red Cross alleviate the distress among the refugees in the war zones. The great majority offered their services to make surgical dressings and garments. Chapter production corps already in existence were expanded and new corps established in chapters in every state. By June 30, 1941, nearly 1,200,000 volunteers throughout the country were engaged in production work in the 9,691 chapters and branches carrying on this pro¬gram. The principal garments being made are men's, women's, and children's sweaters, children's knitted suits, women's and girls' dresses and skirts, boys' shorts, shirts and overalls, and convalescent robes, hospital pajamas, bed shirts and operating gowns. In addition, hundreds of thousands of layettes and toddler's packs, each containing clothing and other articles for infants and children up to two years of age, are being made. Quotas calling for definite types and quantities of garments are issued to chapters from time to time. Practically every chapter is furnishing more garments than its original quota called for. Children in the Junior Red Cross participated in this program in many communities and made thousands of garments for the children in the war-torn area. During the early months, chapters met the entire cost of material through the use of funds in their treasuries and through special contributions from the local communities. In the spring of 1940, it was decided to allow chapters to retain 15 per cent of the receipts of the War Fund Campaign which was conducted at that time, and to use these funds for their production program. In the fall of 1940, arrangements were made whereby part of the $50,000,000 appropriated by Congress for foreign war relief was used for the purchase of cloth and yarn shipped to chapters, and since that time the great part of the expense has been met in this way. As of June 30, 1941, a total of 4,902,789 chapter-produced articles other than surgical dressings, valued at $13,385,101, had been shipped abroad. Chapters now have under production at least 7,000,000 additional garments with a minimum value of $23,000,000 which they will have ready for de¬livery to the export warehouse by the end of the year. The production of 13