New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-27
South Denies
Plague as U. S.
Speeds Relief
Denounces Reports That
Serni-Farnine Is Threat
ening District Through
Failure to Market Cro,,
Officials Hold Conference
Act Quickly in Response
to Harding's Request TO
Curb Pellagra Epidemic

WASHINGTON, July 26-Ouick re-
sponse was made to-day to President
l'ardings call on the Public Haaltb
Service and the Red Cross to meet the
reported threat of pellagra epidemic
IN large section of the cotton belt
Officials Of the two agencies set inn
medlately to work in an endeavor to
carry out the Presidents request and
late in the day held joint conference.
offlclais of eight Southern states made
their response in the form of protest
that no such serious situation as has
been pictured exists.
Surgeon General Cumming and DIR.
Joseph Goldberger, pellagra experts. of
! the Public Health Service, met in con.
ference with DR.. Livingston Farrand
chairman OF the Central Committee.
and other Red Cross officials. The ses-
sion was quite lengthy and no informa-
ton as to conclusions reached was dis
closed. DR.. Cumming stated that he
would make report tomorrow to the
President.
States Deny Increase
The response from the South was
widespread and varied. The Georgia
Senate passed a resolution denouncing
the report of pellagra epidemic as
"damning." The secretary of the State
Board of Health declared the disease
showed no increase and the Macon
Chamber of Commerce telegraphed n
protest to the White House. Florida's S
state health officer contended his state
showed 6acraaSo Thu Cto%o PoorJ - 6
Health of Alabama also asserted de-
crease. The Tennessee health board
reported nothing unusual" South
Carolina admitted an increase. but no
" semi famine" and contended there
was nothing alarming" Arkansas
reported nothing alarming" and Lou
isiana reported a decrease. Mississippi
acknowledged twice as many cases this
year as last, but disclaimed an cpl
demic or "semi-famine."
In all cases the state health officials
took vigorous issue with the reports
of the Public Health Service, which
has publicly estimated that, due to i'm
poverished diet forced upon them by
depression Of the cotton market. at
least 100000 persons in the Southern
cotton belt would have pellagra and
that 10 per ceent of them would die
DR.. Cumming said tonight, however.
that the Public Health Service would
stand by its figures.
Urges Situation Be Met
Acting upon a letter from Senator
Dial, of South Carolina, who called to
his attention published reports of the
Public Health Service announcement,
President Harding yesterday wrote
Surgeon General Cumming and DR.. Liv-
ingston Farrand, chairman Of the CEN
trail committee of the Red Cross, urging
them to take appropriate steps to meet
the situation, described to him as being
fraught with semi famine" and threat
of an epidemic of ravaeing disease.
No sooner had the Presidents letters
been published than protests and de-
mails began to pour down
Public Health Service officials pointed
out that their reports only gave warn
ing that unless something were done
TO remedy a "particular kind of semi
starvation" now said to be prevailing.
many deaths from pellagra would fol-
low.
After setting out that the depression
Of the cotton market and conditions
Continued page thrse)