Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-29
PRESIDENT BACKS
HEALTH INQUIRY
',s....
Investigation of Southern Con-
ditions to Go On, He Tells
Representative
DECISION BASED ON REPORT

Washington. July 2o--Replying to
charges that the Administration had
exaggerated pellagra and famine con-
ditions in the South. President Harding
declared in letter to Representative
Byrnes, of South Carolina. that official
reports indicated the contrary end that
the Governments investigation of the
situation would go forward
The President wrote in response to
letter in which Mr.. Byrnes had char.
acterized any belief that plague of
famine existed in South Carolina as
IAN utter absurdity." Both the Public
Health Service reports and private sd-
vices from the South, Mr.. Harding
said, certainly justified the opinion
that thorough investigation should
be made.
"You may be assured" the presi-
dent said that the last thing in the
Administration mind has been to
e1aggerate the seriousness of the situa-
tion or do anything which would cause
undue alarm. The effort is merely to
develop the facts in order that a proper
course may be determined in view Of
them"
The President quoted telegram
from Charles .. Hearon, editor of tn"
Spartanburg, s. c.. Herald. who snid
he felt that the Public Health Service
was ION the right track and should
continue its Investigation
South Carolina Unaware Of Plague
Mr.. Byrnes' letter, as quoted by the
President, said that "as the existence in
South Carolina at this time of either
plague or famine is an utter absurd
ity, there is no necessity for the Rcd
Cross furnishing aid. I think it would
be unfortunate If the Red Cross is called
upon to relieve a plague and famine
of which the people of South Carolina
are unaware.
at is gratifying to be assured that
South Carolina is 50 fortunately sit
uated," Mr.. Harding said in reply,
.and we must all hope that full intor-
nation will show that conditions gen
orally are equally satisfactory.
unfortunately. the reports indicate
they are not. One dealing with MIS-
sissippi says that on May /, 700 new
cases were reported in the State; in
June, about 24OO, and that a further
increase over the June figures is ex-
pected in July.
"The reports indicate that a wide
territory is affected. and coming
through the Public Health Service,
strongly suggest the advisabtlity of
thorough investigation as measure or
preparedness against further spread OF
psllagra another season.
Full Investigation Necessary
The telegram from Mr. IIraron was
among those forwarded to the President
10y Mr.. Byrncs and Mr.. Harding said
it confirmed" his impression that the
investigation was highly desirable, 4"
adding that steps taken do not con-
template any organization of relief
measures or special extension Of relief,
unless full Investigation. covering the
entire affected area. shall make appar-
ent that such measures are necessary.
IT cannot but feel that if these re-
ports have misrepresented conditions in
any part of the South to the disad
vantage of that section, a full and
official refutation of them would be
highly desirable" the President said,
while, IL such investigation should
develop the need for unusual measures
Of relief, those could be promptly and
intelligently applied"