The Washington herald., 1921-07-26
HARDING
ON REPORTOF
Dixie FAMINE
Asks Immediate Probe Of
Conditions in Cotton =
Belt.
PLEDGES u. S. AID
IF AS REPORTED
Stirred by Stories of Pei
lagra Plague as
Crops Fail.

| ice and the American Red Cross TO
make an immediate investigation
Of reports that conditions approach
ing famine exist in wide areas IN
the cotton States Of the South.
Immediate and effective measures
Of amelioration are manifestly de-
manded il conditions even aFproxi-
mate the gravity suggested by tbs
Public Health report" said the
| President in a letter to Surgeon
Gen. Hugh S. Cummings. 1t Is
| unthinkable that we should delay
for a single day the institution Of
such measures.
Asks for Suggestions
Therefore, i am writing to ask
you for the most complete possible
report that can be made at once
/ provided there is anything TO add
| to what you have already made pub
| lic-and especially for suggestion
Of proper measures TO deal with the
| situation
Attention was directed to condi-
tions in the South in a public state
ment of the Health Service last
week that because or inadequste
/ and improper food. 100000 persons
( in the cotton belt this year would
become afflicted with pellagrs. OF
whom 10000 would die.
The President made known his
/ willingness TO recommend to Con-
gresS any legislative action that
might be needed and pledged the
| Lull use of departmental machinery,
as well as his personal co-opera-
/ tion.
The Presidents letter to Gen.
/ Cummings said:
Il have been greatly concerned
/ to note the public statement from
/ the Public Health Service as TO the
menace OF pellaRra and conditions
of at least semi-famine in a large
section of the cotton belt. That
/ such a condition is obviously a
/ temporary incident TO the economic
dislocation following the war can
not lessen our concern. Famine ana
plague are words almost foreign TO
our American VOC abUlary, save as
we have learned their meaning in
connection with the Affections or
| lands less favored. and toward
which our people have so many
times displayed large and generous
charity.
Letter TO Red Cross. Too.
Immediate and effective meas
ures Of amelioraticn are manifestly
demanded il conditions even an
proNimate the gravity suggested by
the Public Health report. II Is un-
thinkable that We should delay for
a single day the institution Of such
measures. Therefore I am writing
7 IL
! possible report that can be made at
once-provided there is anything to
add to what you have already made
public-and especially for sugees-
tion Of proper measures to deal with
the situation.
Il am also writing to DR.. Living
ston Fsrrand. head Of the American
Red Cross, in the same tenor. and
suggesting that cooperation Bc-
tween his organization and your
own might be helpful; having in
mind the need for haste in making
a full survey, and in planning re-
| lief measures / wish YOU both 10 be
assured OF my cooperation and OF
all aid that can appropriately be
given through the executive depart
ments. and to know that IL full in
formation about the situation shall
make apparent that legislative ac-
ton is necessary, 1 will on a proper
showing be prepared to ask the
requisite authorization from the
Congress"
The President wrote as follows
| to DR.. Livingston Fsrrand, chair
man of the central committee,
American Red Cross:
Recent reports OF a distressing
condition among the rural populs-
tion in a large section OF the cotton
belt, are confirmed by a public
statement from the Public Health
Service. They indicate that, due to
the depressed cotton market. many
thousands of people are unable 20
sell their one product for money
wherewith to buy a necessary
variety of wholesome food, and that
| there is a grave threat OF an cpl
demic Of pellagra.
sGIve II Right Name.-
TT must bring a shock to the
American people TO realize that a
great section OF their own country,
which they are wont to think of as
immune from such experiences, Is
actually menaced with famine and
plague. For that is what IL would
be called IL it should befall in any
other country. and we may as well
give IL it's right name. Il is OF
course a consequence OF the eco
nomic dissrganization following the
war, and il demands instant and
vigorous attention. Our people, so
long and so often moved by splen-
did charitablehess toward the un-
fortunates of other lands. i'll never
permit such an affliction here at
home.
Moved by a realization that there
must be no delay in coping with
such condition. I am writing TO
ask you IL the Red Cross can make
an immediate Investigation and re-
port the present situation. the OUT
look for the future, and the meas
ures necessary for prompt and ef-
fective relief. l am enclosing
copy of the report which Surgeon
General Cumming has made. and am
asking to be advised whether the
Red Cross possesses the organiza-
tion and means to make. perhaps In
cooperation with the Public Health
Service. and survey and outline OF
necessary measures. Inasmvch as
promptness and accuracy are vitality
important in such a matter, ] will
be glad to enlist any public instro.
mentalities that may properly be
employed TO assist in the task.