New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-10-09
(From the Dallas News)


The News hoped, and even expected
that the meeting of the members
Of the State Council of Nation
al Defense in conference with
Governor Hobby would result in the
creation of a small body of men,
under the presidency of the governor
to bring about an organized solicita-
ton OF funds for the relief of the
drought sufferers and to devise
scheme for their employment. 1t is
hardly necessary to say that the out
come of the meeting disappoints that
expectation. The Council Of National
Defense gave its "hearty approval and
comm enda ton" to the movement for
the collection of a relief fund by VOL
untary contributions, and urged the
County Councils of National Defense
together with the various Chambers of
Commerce, as we'll as "al other So
cieties and agencies" "to take active
interest," in the procuring of subscrip-
lions and collection of money" to be
distributed by Governor Hobby "ac-
cOrding to such plan as he may de-
wise" In addition, the council au-
tnorized its chairman. if and when he
should think it eNpedient to appoint
a committee to solicit aid to the extent
of $50, 900, 900 from the Federal Gov
eminent and also suggested the enact
ment Of legislation to remit the taxes
paid by the people of the drought
stricken sections.
But if the result of the Austin con-
ference is disappointing, it ought not
to be allowed to defeat the purpose.
If its action or rather its failure to
take definite action, has lessened the
chance to achieve the full measure Of
success which was possible, it still re-
mains possible to provide a very ap-
preciable relief to the people of West
Texas, who have just claim to our
compassion.
The idea that s5O,OOO,00O is to be
got from the Federal Government is
illusory What the Federal Gov
eminent has already done is
pretty likely to be all that we may ex-
pect from the source. To sent a COM
mittee to Washing on to solicit further
relief would Zoe to travel a road which
we know by experience leads to fail
ure. It will only weaken our own
resolution, enfeeble our efforts and
dull our sense of duty to indulge in
any hope of assistance from that
source. If the people of West Texas
are to be relieved, it must be the peo-
pie of the rest of Texas who relieve
them. If the sections of the State
that have been Frustrated by a
drought Of two and three years dura-
ton are to be enabled to triumph
over their misfortune, it is by the
people of Texas that their opportunity
must be preserved. To close our eyes
on that palpable fact would be to
abandon them to their distress.
This must not be done. 1t cannot
be done without bringing down on
ourselves a reproach and legacy of
lasting regret Let Governor Hobby
issue formal address to the people of
Texas setting forth the situation and
urging them to discharge the duty
they are under to the people of West
Texas. Then let every newspaper in
Texas reinforce that address with it's
own continued appeals. Let the
County Councils of National Defense,
wherever they exist, accept it as one
of their functions as the News be
lleVes it properly is, to organize cam
paigns of solicitation. The News is
convinced that if these things shall be
done the people of Texas will respond
sufficiently to make it possible not to
do all that needs to be done but to
ease the distress Of thousands Of fani-
lies that are suffering sore privations