Evening star., 1927-05-31
The Floods Subside.

courage the belief that the worst is
now over and that in a few days the
waters will be falling in all of the sub
merged areas as they are already fall
ing in the greater part of the region,
Recession of the tide is now noted in
all but a small strip in Louisiana be
tween the Mississippi and the Atcha
falaya Rivers Several thousand peo-
pie still remain in danger. but these
are within reach Of rescue forces in
case the flood rises beyond the pres.
ent point or the leveas on which their
safety now depends should break.
Land is emerging steadily from the
flood in northern Louisiana as it has
already appeared in the States above
and planting has been resumed. So
eager are the farmers to reseed their
acres that they are with difficulty re-
strained from going back before the
waters have actually disappeared.
There is hope that considerable crop
may still be harvested, provided the
necessary means are available.
With the recession of the waters
computations of the cost of this great
iuundation are beginning to be pos
s!ble. 1t has been estimated that the
total area covered will finally exceed
10000 square miles. or approximately
l2,S00, 900 acres. This area is a little
less than that of the State of West
Virginia. About 100000 people have
seen their homes submerged. OF these
about 100000 are now destitute. The
damage in terms of money cannot be
computed, but it will certainly totu!
hundreds of millions of dollars.
In caring for the refugees in the
flooded area the Government has spent
more than $5,000,000, the railroads and
other corporations have expended 49,
600, 900. and the relief fund which has
been subscribed by the American peo-
pie through the Red Cross amounts
to $14.000.000. This makes a total Of
$22, 900, 900 used for relief work alone
None of this money has gone for the
A remarkable fact is that very few
lives have been lost, although nearly
three-quarters of a million people have
been involved in the rush Of waters.
SO well has the work of rescue and
maintenance been performed that the
casualties from drowning and from
disease incident to the flood have been
negligible. Perfect organization has
been maintained. Shelter, food and
clothing have been provided. Sanitary
measures have been established and
medical attention has been given sys-
tematically. The greatest food in the
history of the country has been han
died with skill.
With the subsistence of the waters
serious problems present themselves.
Funds must be provided for the re.
| placement Of stock. for the buying of
! seed. for the rebuilding Of homes. The
| States affected are now making pro-
| visions for these means of restitution.
| No call will be issued to the genera!
public according to the present plans.
/ The Government may eventually lie
asked TO supply some of this aid. but
| it's chief work in this connection Will
be in the adoption Of measures 10
control the floods of the future and
prevent as far as possible occurrences
| Of this disaster. Plans are already be-
| ine, drawn to that end and in the
| light of the experience of the past two
months the hope of the Nation is that
they may be promptly adopted and
put into effect so that never again
NAV the lower valley of the Missis-
sippi lie swept by torrents.