The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-26
Unless State or Federal Aid Is Secured, Thousands Will Starve, Report
 to Washington
SITUATION IS MORE
 SERIOUS THAN EVER
 KNOWN HERE BEFORE
Delegation in Congress Is Trying to Secure Succor, But Citizens Must Act Also-s30O, 900 Asked in
 Resolution Offered
nr HUGH. ". ROBERTS.

Washington, July o5. = Especially the state is doing to help itself, mem bers of Congress are impressed with the idea that unless the federal govern ment does appropriate funds, thousands of helpless people will eventually stave to death.
 Governor Henderson. in telegram to Representative Burnett today declared that conditions were more serious than in any previous day of half a century, and added that the state had no funds availa- ble by means of which to extend aid. l.. M. Hooper and James B Ellis of Sell ma, in Washington day, urging action by Congress. declare that the people of Dal- las county had raised $40,00O and were dol- ing out each week four pounds of meat and peck of meal to each of the dis tressed families of that section. Other wise, according to information reaching members of Congress, Alabama is extend ing no aid to it's sufferers. It is hoped by the delegation that Governor Henderson will eventually follow the lead of the governor of South Carolina and in an official proclamation set out the real con ditions and ask for financial aid.
 Indications are that despite strenu- out efforts of the delegation Congress will move slowly in extending help.
 Mir Hooper and Mr. Ellis declare that conditions among the tenant class of Ala bama cannot be too blackly painted. They state that in Dallas county alone. 150,000 acres are inundated; that all crops are de- stroyed; that 2000 white families are help less, and 10000 negro families destitute. From Demopois and Lower Peachtree Identical stories are told, and yet in a report of government engineers. who in- vestigated flood conditions in Dallas county, it is stated to the war department today that immediate assistance is not essential, but that ultimately it will be necessary for the federal government to lend helping hand.
 The Alabama delegation will meet to- morrow morning for the purpose of dis cussing what action next should be taken. The delegation has resolution pending before the military committee appropriat- ing for Ala bama sufferers $500, 000 Mis- sissippi, Georgia, North and South Caro- lima are also clamoring for aid. and the chances are that Congress will move very
  the government assumes the position that to take care of the tenant class in the south, composed chiefly of negroes. would be to set a very dangerous precedent. However, the delegation. after it's con ference, will confer with General Black and urge him to lend his influence in se- curing government aid. Only once throughout the day did ray of light pen citrate the clouds. A high official of the war department suggested that aid could be secured if the appropriation sought was asked in the name of the Red Cross association. With this hint as a founda- tion, the legation will consider the ad- visibility of following the suggestion.
 The delegation is unanimous, however. in it's opinion that immediate efforts should be undertaken in Alabama to give partial relief to the sufferers. It is un- derstood that Governor Henderson will be requested to set out in a proclamation the distressing situation with the pe- tition that the people of the state re- spond with financial aid.