Evening star., 1926-10-01
FLORIDA GOVERNOR
HAMPER|NG RELIEF,
CHARGE OF PAYNE
Red Cross Head Accuses Oth-
er Officials and Real Es-
tate Operators.
DECLARES HIS OFFICE
WILL\CONTINUE WORK
Poor Regarded of Lesser Conse-
quence Than States Tourist
Business" He Says.

The officials of Florida. from the
governor down. and the real estate
operators, anxious to minimize the
damage wrought by the recent hurri-
cane for fear that the tourist business
will be ruined with the busy Winter
season at hand. have seriously handi-
capped the American National Red
Cross in its efforts to provide relief
for those who suffered most in the
hurricane Of September IS. Judge
John Barton Payne, chairman of the
governing board of the Red Cross,
charged today in message to G. &.
PinckneN, chairman of the Richmond,
Va. chapter.
The poor people who suffered are
regarded as of less consequence than
the hotel and tourist business OF
Florida" Judge Payne declared. The
Red Cross is bound to go forward ana
do the job just the same, and every
one should help. Our officials on the
ground report the greatest need since
the San Francisco disaster, with
5000 homes totally destroyed and
IS, 900 families impoverished. Red
Cross assistance is given only on the
basis of actual need, not losses.
Circulars Prompt Inquiry.
This message was prompted by an
inquiry Judge Payne received by wire
from MIR. Pinckney in which the lat
ter declared that circulars had been
distributed in the Virginia city chare-
ing that very exaggerated idea OF
Miami'S storm condition had been
created and that only "Some cheaplN
constructed houses had been blown
down and some houseboats lost"
At the same time il was disclosed
that request had been made by in
fluential persons at Miami that the
Red Cross officials there should sub
nit all information and all reports
forwarded to the national headquar-
ters i'm Washington, and which
might be given out to the press, to q
censor in the Florida city. Mr..
Pinckneys message added that Miami
would be open to visitors as usual this
Winter.
The city of Richmond" the mes
sage declared. believing that Miami
and surrounding country has suffered
greatly. voted $4,000 to tho stricken
area. the checks being mailed by our
mayor this Thursday morning to
Mayor Romfh of Miami and Mr.
Fieser of the Red Cross. Tonight our
mayor showed me a printed circular
letter signed by Mayor Romfh. undcr
date of September "a. saying that
Romfh was convinced an exaggerated
idea of Miami's real condition has
been Crca ted-that there had been
hurricane and some chcaplN construct
ed houses blown down and some house
boats lost. but the damage was not
so great. and that Miami would b"
open to welcome visitors az usual this
Winter.
Gratitude Seems Lacking.
THE sentiment of gratitude or rea!
need seems entirely lacking i'm the let
ter The mayor of Richmond was
considering recalling the check sent
by this city and asked if we felt justi
fled in accepting further contributions
after reading the Miami letter. We
received 81 900 from the Retail Mer
chants Association this evening. but
will not deposit it until we receive
YOUR positive instructions.
Vice Chairman James l.. Fieser, in
report to Chairman Payne, direct
from Miami confirmed this exposure,
declaring that relief work had been
greatly retarded by persistent reports
that had been sent out that the need
as set forth by the Red Cross did not
exist.
The belief has been disseminated.
Mr.. Fieser reported, that Florida has
made millions and should take care
of it's losses, and the general impress
sion is that the wealthy class rather
than the wage Garner or persons in
moderate circumstances, is affected.
This is entirely contrary to fact.
Mr. Fieser said that the people
Continued on Page 5, Column 81