Questions and Answers Red Cross volunteers and staff workers are frequently asked pertinent questions concern¬ing the operations of the Red Cross. These questions deserve simple, straightforward answers. Following are some of the more com¬mon questions and suggested answers. Is Red Cross overhead too high? Red Cross overhead costs are low. The Red Cross can accomplish what it does only because it has the help of 100 trained volunteers for every paid staff member. For a fuller answer see the back cover of this pamphlet. Who really runs the Red Cross: A Board of Governors of SO people deter¬mines Red Cross policies. Eight are appointed by the President of the United States; thirty are elected by voting dele¬gates of the 3,745 chapters; and 12 are elected by these Board members. Thus the chapters have a clear voting majority. Plow does the Red Cross obtain its funds? The Red Cross obtains its funds through the voluntary contributions of the Ameri¬can people. It does not receive govern¬ment funds but it sometimes acts at the direction of the Congress and the President in distributing relief supplies purchased by the government. Are Red Cross accounts audited? Yes, both by the accounting division of the Department of the Army and by Haskins and Sells, certified public ac¬countants, New York. The complete audit is forwarded to the Congress of the United States by the Secretary of Defense. 28 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS How much does the Red Cross pay its employees? The executive scale is comparable to that of other nonprofit organizations and be¬low that of commercial organizations. The clerical and stenographic salaries are com¬parable to the rates paid in the city of employment. Why does the Red Cross work with the armed forces? Because it is specifically charged with this responsibility by act of Congress. Louis Johnson, Secretary of Defense, says: "We need the work of the Red Cross as we need a good right arm." Who receives help in time of disaster? Any victim of disaster who is unable to help himself. Benefits run all the way from emergency food and medical care to the rebuilding of a destroyed home. Red Cross helps in about 300 disaster opera¬tions a year—almost one a day. Must patients pay for blood provided by the Red Cross? Blood and blood products furnished through the Red Cross National Blood Program are provided, without charge, to physicians and hospitals for use in the treatment of their patients. Any charges made by the physician or hospital are for professional services in connection with the administration of the blood and blood derivatives. Why did the Red Cross charge servicemen for food during the war? The Red Cross did not wish or expect to charge, but did so at the specific written request of the then Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson. 29