The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1916-08-03
WILL WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY
GET GOVERNMENT AID?
Strong Efforts Being Put Forth in that Direction by Con-
gresham Ragsdae, as the Following Correspondence
Between Him and Senator Epps Will Show.

As q result of the big coastal
storm that swept over Williamsburg
county on July IA all crops were
badly damapei but not to such an
extent as we find them at this time.
Had the wind and rain storm Of the
18th Of July been the end of the
trouble, recovery might have been
simple and easy. but since then the
heavy rainfalls and the baking rays
from the sun have at least doubled
the percentage of damages to cotton.
As this fact has become more evi.
from day to day. so also has the ex-
tent of distress and need among the
people of the county widened in its
scope until it was thought best by
some of our citizens to request
aid from the Federal Government
through our representative in Con-
gress, Hon J w Ragsdale. Natural.
ly the question arose as to how fed
eral aid should be applied if receiv.
ed, and it seems that the leading
citizens are in favor of applying it
on the public roads of the county.
To say the least it would be bad
policy to hand out any kind Of
charitable assistance to able-bodied
men, white or black, whose crops
have been destroyed. MEN always
prefer earning a living by their
Drawn if given an opportunity rather
than being objects of charity. and
we are satisfied that those stricken
in this county would much prefer
going to work on the roads at rea-
sonable salary than to joining a
public bread line and having charity
rations issued to them.
The letter of the Secretary of War
to Mr. Hay, chairman of the commit
tee on Military affairs, suggests that
if Government aid be extended the
fund be used in the main upon road
work as affording the quickest and
the most generally useful form of
relief work" and that its application
along these lines be contingent upon
the consent and cooperation. as far
as practicable, of local authorities.
The correspondence below will
show that the road working plan has
met with the approval of Mr. Rags
dale and the secretary of war:
Kingstree, S G, July II.
Hon ] w Ragsdale, NC,
Washington, D c.
Community storm bound. No trains.
Tobacco crop literally ruined, cotton
practically destroyed. E c EPPs.
Washington, D G, July II.
Hon E c Epps,
Kingstree, S C.
Wire received. Sympathize deeply
with your people. Have full detailed
report furnished me. Do you advise
that ask for Government aid, and if
so, what amount? wv RAGsDALE.
J w Ragsdale, NJ C,
Washington, D C..
Situation can be handled at present
by local resources, with cooperation.
Actual damages not yet fully appreci-
ated. Main losses fall upon farmers and
will be realized when extent of damages
is more fully developed. Tobacco prac-
tically total loss; cotton over so per
cent. Deterioration is certain and will
determine final loss. People are hopeful
and will meet emergency, but privation
and actual want in many instances will
result. Will advise you later.
ECEPPs
Kingstree, July 1s.
Hon w Ragsdale, M c,
Washington, D c.
Dear Congressman Telegram of
this date will indicate the condition of
damaged crops, but the real truth will
not be known for several days. 1t is
now conceded. however, that the tobacco
is lost. There will not be one-tenth of
the crop harvested.
Ibelieve fully one-fourth of the cot
ton will shr4 its fruit and leaves and die.
The remaining portion is turning red,
is scalded and cannot recover its life for
some days, If at all. There is only occa-
sionaily an exception to this picture.
The county does not yet realize the
great loss it has sustained, and there are
those who say the above description is
that of calamity bowler, but believe
me, the time is near when they shall