Evening star., 1926-10-02
Florida's Hurts and Needs.

NO matter now badly hurt by the re-
cent hurricane Florida may be in pres
tige as a Winter resort, it is impera
tive that the suffering people Of that
State should be Immediately and fully
aided by means Of public contribu-
tions to the Red Cross funds. No mat
ter how seriously the public response
to the appeals for funds for the sue
cor Of the survivors may be affected
by the display of confidence on the
part Of the Florida authorities and
business leaders that the State will
quickly recover from it's disaster,
they must declare their ability to put
the State in condition to entertain its
Writer visitors. There is the dilemma,
and it should be frankly faced.
The chairman of the governing
board OF the Red Cross criticiZes
Florida officials for their expressions
Of confidence that the State will be-
ready for business as usual" this sea-
son despite the storm, which he says
hamper the work Of the Red Cross in
securing funds and which likewise in
terfere with the work of relief. Large
subscriptions have been held up in
consequence of proclamations from
Florida that the damage was not as
great as was at first reported and
that recovery is rapid.
OF course, the people who have
been left homeless. or who are with
out food, must be succored at once.
If the State itself cannot rescue them
from their sorry plight, and it would
seem that it cannot without generous
help from outside, the country at
large must provide the funds, and the
Red Cross. as the most efficient agent
of national charity, must do the work.
It is unfortunate that O wrong impress
sion OF the situation and an made
Quate measurement Of the urgent
need have been caused by the declara-
tions emanating from Florida that
the Winters business of entertaining
tourists and seasonal sotourners will
not be affected by the storm. But the
funds must nevertheless be provided.
The call Of the Red Cross must be
met with subscriptions. 1t is in Il
position to know the need, and 1t can
be relied upon to meet that need If
the money is furnished.
There is q danger that the stricken
State may proceed too hurriedly with
its work Of restoration, in the desire
to be ready to receive the Winter
visitors. Reconstruction should not
be on a mere makeshift basis. If
Florida Is to profit at all from this
grievous visitation it should rebuild
substantially. Temporary construc-
tions will prove poor investment. 1t
will, perhaps, be better to lose a year
Of tourist patronage altogether and
give the State better equipment
than before the storm than to hustle
the work along for the sake Of this
seasons trade.
The work of reconstruction in Flor
ida, If properly organized and If ade-
quately financed, will itself relieve
the greater number Of those who suf'
fered from the storm through lack of
employment and income. A vast sum
of money will be necessary to repair
the damage. The greater part Of it,
however, will all be spent in Florida,
and 1t will do more for the restoration
of economic conditions than any large
scale charity enterprise, however well
conducted.
This present controversy should
have the effect of stimulating public
response to the Red Cross appeal,
at the same time setting an effective
pace of restoration in Florida, with a
perfectly frank exposition of losses
and needs.