Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-05-19
RED CROSS RELIEF WORK IN
FLOODED SECTIONS.
Atlanta, Ga, May IL, 1922.

Atlanta, Nd, May 10, 1885,
An appeal for 100000 to be used
for relief work among the 10000
homeless and hungry refugees in the
flood stricken areas of the Mississippi
Valley was made Thursday by Judge
John Barton Payne, national chair !
man of the American Red Cross. This
appeal, with the endorsement OF
President Warren G. Harding, homo
rary chairman of the Red Cross, has
been made necessary by the highest
waters ever flooding the states near
the mouth of the Mississippi, which
have confronted the Red Cross with
one of the most serious relief Stu
ations it has faced since its organi-
cation. This sum is in addition to the
100000 which the ARC has al
ready appropriated for relief work.
In a letter to all Red Cross chap
tiers in America Chairman Payne
saws: "Floods in the valley Of the
Illinois, Ohio and Mississippi rivers
have caused death and great loss OF
property and thousands Of families
to be without shelter, food or proper
clothing. Thirty-one thousand of the
homeless are being fed by the Red
Cross in the state Of Mississippi
alone. The Red Gross has quickly
organized relief work with the help
of local committees at many places in
Illinois and on the Mississippi river
south of st. Louis, particularly in
the states of Arkansas, Mississippi
and Louisiana. The first needs have
been met by the national head
quarters with an appropriation Of
approximately one hundred thousand
dollars.
"There is great work to be done
until the stricken people who have
lost their all can be re-established in
home life. At least 100000 will be
required by the Red Cross. There
; should be generous assistance for
) these struggling communities and the
health and comfort Of destitute men,
women, and children should have
every possible attention.
1.-THE chapters are requested to
solicit Immediately contributions te
be administered by the national or
ganization of the American Red eros.
through state and local committee!
which, it has organized or through
which it is discharging responsible!
for relief work.
contributions may be made TO
use at any designated place or II
any specific territory, or for dis
tribution according to actual neces
sity for help at the discretion of tn
national organization. Chapter Off
GERS will report and forward tn
money which they collect to the re
spective division officers"
Upon being informed Of the cam
paign by the Red Cross for the floot
, stricken sufferers, President Harding
sent a letter to Chshman Payne
praising the work the Red Cross ha
already doae in the water covere'
areas and endorsing Chairman Payne
appeal for funds to carry on tn
gpeat task. ~
.~s"My dear Judge Payne" Presi
dent Harding wrote, shave observe
with much interest and pleasure tn
prompt and effective work which tn
Red Cross is doing for the relief o
acute need in the flooded areas o
the Mississippi valley and congratu
late you upon this splendid publ
service. The country, am sure, wi
warmly appreciate this service Of tn
Red Cross and will respond to any az
peal which it may make for this gres
work."
The Red Cross, according to Judg
Payne, at first believed that the floo
situation could be cared for wit
funds available but since the cor
ditions in the stricken areas hav
constantly grown worse Red Gro:
officials are taking this opportunit
to let the people of America contrib
ute toward the relief Of their stricke
fellow citizens in the flood regior
through their local Red Cross chal
tiers.
The flood began with large brea
in the levee at Ferriday, La, small
er breaks at other places, and wit
high backwater from the Red, Blac
and Yazoo rivers. In Louisiana an
Mississippi alone nearly 10000 PEI
ple have been driven from the
homes and the larger portion Of the
are being cared for by the Southel
Division of the Red Cross in tel
+. colonies at Natchez, Harrisonbur
Rhinehart, and Jackson Barracks
New Orleans. Another tent color
will soon be opened in Redwood, t.
miles north of Vicksburg, and ref
gees now living in garrets and b
cars will be placed in this camp by Il
Red Cross.
The most serious aspect OF t
situation is the crop failures of
cent years which have rendered maj
( the homeless practically destitu'
1t is estimated that more than $500
900 will be needed for food alo