Evening star., 1926-09-20

Offering the resources of the Ma.
tional Government to aid the storm
stricken areas of Florida, President
Coolidge today addressed a personal
appeal TO the people of the United
States to come to the assistance of
the storms victims.
The message was addressed TO the
people of the United States and, al
though not proclamation, declared
that help is urgently necessary.
"An Overwhelming Disaster"
The appeal follows:
ITO the People of the United States:
"An overwhelming disaster has
come to the people of Miami. Holly
wood and surrounding communities
in southern Florida. Such assistance
as Is within the means of the execu-
tive department of the Government
great suffering which now needs re-
lief and will need relief for. days to
come, I am prompted to appeal
urgently to the American people,
whose sympathies have always been
so comprehensive, to contribute gener-
ously in aiding the sufferers.
THAT the utmost coordination and
effectiveness in the administration of
the relief fund may be obtained, I
urge that all contributions for this
purpose be sent to the American Ma
tional Red Cross at Washington or
to the local Red Cross chapters. l
need not assure the people that the
Red Cross will utilize in the most
effective manner all contributions re-
ceived for relief in this catastrophe.
calvin COOLIDGE"
Receives Red Cross Report.
This appeal followed by several
hours a conference this morning be-
tween the President and John Barton
Pavne. chairman Of the board of gov
ernors of the Red Cross. At that time
Judge Payne informed the President
that not only We're first reports, or
the catastrophe in Florida undoubt-
edly true but that later dispatches
indicated the extent Of the, tragedy
would be even more appalling when
the full story is known. At the end
of the conference it was decided that
a proclamation from the President
asking the American Nation to con-
tribute to the relief of the stricken
Florida cities would not be decided
upon until after another meeting at
the White House this afternoon.
Issuance of the Presidents appeal was
interpreted as meaning that later in
formation had convinced Mr.. Coolidge
that further delay in asking the peo-
ple of the whole Nation to go to the
assistance of their stricken fellow
citizens in Florida could not be con-
sidered.
Army and Navy Aiding.
In line with the Presidents express
sions Of sympathy and offer of CO.
operation, officials of the War and
NAVY Departments already have
initiated moves designed to further
the work of relief and protection.
Secretary of War Davis wired Gov.
Martin that every means in the power
of the military will be placed at the
disposal of the relief authorities. At
the same time the war head ordered
Mai. Gen. Hagood, commanding the
4th Corps Area, with headquarters at
Atlanta, Ga, to conduct a thorough
probe of conditions in Florida and
take whatever action he deemed ex-
pedient.
Secretary Davis also instructed
Army officials to make a survey of
Army surplus supplies in the south
eastern section of the country. with
a view to turning them over to dis
aster victims.
Naval Reserve Called.
The Navy Department also took a
hand in the situation, ealing into act
i've service all members Of the Naval
Reserve in Miami. These men will be
used for relief and police duty, it was
said. -.
At the same time Postmaster Gen.
New, en- route to Kansas City, sent
telephonic instructions authorizing all
Florida postmasters to utilize the IA
cilities of postal service in rescue
work, and particularly in conveying
Continued Page Z Column a.