New Britain herald., 1927-05-07
COMMENDABLE WORK
 BY RELIEF FORCES
(Continued from First Page)

 friends that are doomed
 The Mississippi Valley is at war serious war, a long war, as proved by the presence in the flooded area of Herbert Hoover. secretary of Commerce and head of the Nation al Red Cross.
 Not for trifle would Hoover leave his muititudnous and import ant duties at Washington to remain indefinitely in this fight. With him are Secretary of War Davis, General Jadwin. chife of engineers, and General Craig. The high command of America appears at the battle front because of the national character of this crisis. be- cause the entire power of the L. s. must be invoked to combat 1t.
 These capable officials arrived in Nicksburg yesterday morning at 7:15, and like good soldiers went at once to work. No time as frit- tered away in social entertainments The secretary of war and chief mili- tary officers inspected our camps in which many thousands of refugees are being cared for.
 The battle hills of Nicksburg are again dotted with tents as they were in the stressful days of '6s.
 These tents were hurriedly erect ed-five canvas cities of order and system that sprang up almost in q night as increasing thousands fled for security to these highlands. Vet eran army officers, seasoned by many a campaign, express their qualification and surprise that so much had been accomplished in such short while.
 It seemed remarkable that with stampedcd mob of a few days since, the camp routine should now run so smoothly. Sanitary condi lions are excellent. Although these refugees, white and black, women and tiny babies. have been exposed to untold hardships, less sickness has developed among them than probably would have been the case had they remained at home and had no overflow.
 For poor people who have lost their little all, their spirits are marvelously good,
 The rime thought of our distin- guished officers today was in the na- ture of first aid--the saving of hu- man life and the efforts to mini mize further loss. After that must come the even greater problem of rehabilitation-placing these Ameri- can farmers in q position to make B crop.
 This is task of such maguit ude, of such compelling need for speed, that competent mon arc carrying il forward before the overflowcL lands begin to emerg" from the flood.
 Whatever is to be done must be done now, else a huge body of agri- culturists will have no means to live until their crop of 92S is har- vested. Crushing as the catastrophe may be, our mbeaten valley dwell lcrs are receiving messages of new hope.
 The shrewdest brains and strong est arms of America stand by 10 help them. The secretary Of war is throwing every power of the American army into the fight. The National Guard is here. the Amer ican Legion-all honor 10 them both.
 It is the feeling Of Secretary Of War Davis that immediately after the flood has spent it's fury, ef- fectivc steps must be taken to pre- vent another. Not lick and a promise, but strong and permanent protection is needed.
 Every authority will be consider ed. every plan well weighed, the best engineers consulted and cm- ployed. His clear idea is that the job can he done. Thoroughly done, that American resourcefulness can overcome the American peril by such bulwarks as will not only rise above the overflow% We have heretofore known, but will resist any water that is liable to be hurled against them,
 Stunned as these refugees are, laz"d as they now appear, n" farmers of our Mississippi Valley will be strengthened and fortified by the assurances of Davis and Hoover.
 Tonight in their camps, or wait ing for rescue on the roofs of sub merged homes, they know that local courage, man-power and money, 'an never protect them from the drainage Of q continent.
 Hoover Davis. General Jadwin md their party proceeded south from here on the L. s. S Control, following the tide of battle.
 Today they were at Baton Rouge,