Evening star., 1927-04-23
Hoover Heads Relief.

Secretary OF Commerce Hoover to-.
day took charge of the nationwide
campaign of the American Red Cross
to raise 5000, 900 for the relief of
food refugees.
Mr.. Hoover yesterday afternoon was
appointed chairman of the general
campaign committee, other members
of which are Secretaries Mellon, Will.
bur and Davis of the War Depart
ment and James L. Fieser, acting
chairman OF the Red Cross.
The cabinet members were named
by President Coolidge 20 cooperate
with the Red Cross and coordinate
Federal relief agencies with view 10
rendering prompt aid to the thou
sands of families rendered homeless
by the rising waters. This move fol-
lowed closely presidential rroclama'
ton calling on the American people
to contribute to the relief cause.
OF First Magnitude.
The cabinet committee declared the
disaster to be of the first magnitude
after canvassing Red Cross reports.
The $5, 200, 900 fund was decided upon
after Secretary Davis presented War
Department reports indicating that
further breaks in levees along the
Mississippi River were expected and
could not be prevented He estimated
that $50 900 persons would be forced
from their homes within the next few
days.
The committee agreed with Presi-
dent Coolidge, as he set forth in his
proclamation, that the burden OF pro-
yidinr relief rests with the Red Cross.
and that Government activities should
be co.ordinated by the cabinet mem
bers and employed through the relief
organization.
More Conferences Planned.
Extent Of Federal assistance will be
worked out at subsequent conferences
officials OF the Public Health Service
have arranged to hold themselves in
readiness for emergencies should dis
ease following in the wake or the
foods become epidemic. Coast Guard
boats already are participating in re-
lief work, as will three seaplanes sent
by the Navy from the Pensacola, FIa.,
station. The War Department mas
drawn heavily upon its surplus sup
plies, having shipped to refugee con-
centration centers ,45S war tents, 49,.
eo7 pvramidal tents, ,102 cots and
81 .405 blankets. Clothing for National
Guard troops called out at some points
also has been supplied. along with IA
900 burlap bags for levee protection
in Illinois.
District Quota $4S,0OO.
The Districts quota in the relief
fund was set at $4b,0O0 today. Con-
tributions will be accepted at the
chapter headquarters, s21 Sixteenth
street, or by Victor Deyber. treasurer,
at the Second National Bank, bOs
Seventh street. -.
To augment relief service in the
food stricken section OF the Lower
Mississippi the Coast Guard mead
quarters here today telegraphed Or
ders for transfer of facilities and men
from the Louisville, Kentucky, river
station.
The orders went to the off1cer IN
charge Of this Coast Guard station,
Chief Boatswains Mate Walter ].
Farrell. Details Of how many boats
and men to take were left with the
officer in charge, but 1t was ex.
pected he would leave enough behind
to man the station.
At the White House President
Coolidge was represented as taking a
keen interest in the situation ana
hopeful that generous response
would greet his own and Red Cross
appeals for contributions. 1t was EN-.
phasized that the Federal Depart.
ynents have no fu.kAg Tor RELIEF and