The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1927-06-17

Estate capitol building here with the
colored Advisory Commission on
Mississippi Flood Relief and listened
to the detailed reports OF what this
commission, appointed by him ten
days ago to investigate complaints
from refugee camps and suggest
solutions for problems found, had
seen and heard. At the conclusion
of the meeting in which James L.
Fieser. active directing head of the
National Red Cross in the stricken
territory. and his assistant. Robert
l.. Bondy, also sat. Mr.. Hoover and
Mr.. Fieser ordered the Immediate
correction of the evils and abuses
reported from some of the. camps
and arranged to retain a sub-com-
mittee of the commission for service
and advice in the big task OF reha-
bilitation which faces the country.
Doctor Robert r. Motion, presided
at the meeting. The reports pre-
sented showed conditions almost
ideal I'm some OF the camps, especi-
ally where colored leaders had been
called in to advise with the local
Red Cross and been given complete
charge of any activities, but mem
bers of the commission were bitter
In their comment on conditions in
several camps. particularly at
.Greenville, Mississippi, Opelansas.
Louisiana, and Sicily Island, Louisi-
ana. The searching Investigations
carried on by member of the COM
mission, who amid great hardships,
travelling night and day through the
flooded district at times. taking the
same fare as the refugees, visited
thirty camps, disclosed one outstand-
ing fact in regard to the flood re-
lief. The National Red Cross not
only has done gigantic staggering
task in rescuing. housing. and pro-
lection of the refugees and done II
efficiently, but II has been eminent
ly fair and just IN IT'S orders and
practices. In those camps where
unfair treatment was meted out, the
commission placed the blame square,
iy on the shoulders OF the local Red
Cross committees composed OF the
white southern citizens OF the COM
munities where the camps were To-
Gated. Red Cross activities are bas-
ed upon country units which are ac-
tive or in form in times of peace
as well as disaster, and the final
word and contact with the refugees
is in its hands. These men in the
instances complained OF interpreted
or rather misinterpreted the policy
OF the National Red Cross TO suit
themselves, giving out clothing and
supplies and arranging camp pro-
grams according to their idea OF
what Negroes needed rather than
what the Red Cross laid down in its
orders. Every criticism was noted
by Mr.. Fieser and machinery set In
motion to improve the conditions
pointed out at once. Because OF the
speed with which the Red Cross
works, the commission expects its
recommendations to take effect az
once. Among the things asked were
the Immediate removal of white
militia from those camps where
they carried rifles, the provision OF
proper eating facilities, including
tables, seating arrangements and
utensils, at Opelansas, Sicily Is
land and Vicksburg, the only camps
where they were inadequate, the
establishment of auxiliaries to the
Red Cross composed of colored men
and women in those places contain
ing camps where they were not now
functioning and that these commit
tees be allowed TO cooperate with
the different rehabilitation commit
tees located in the different states
or counties, so that fair dealing
with the needy tenant and land
owner may be assured.
The commission reported health
in the camps excellent but six in
mates having died with very little
sickness. Food everywhere was ex-
cellent. II found no camps where
refugees were being detained, but
censured strongly Greenville, Mis-
(Continnad ON Pare Ennrl