Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13

why such q bulletin could not be issued
by the department
President Hoover continued today to
give the greater part or his time 10
consideration OF the drought problem.
He was blisily engaged In completing
the draft OF his plan for organizing his
relief program. Before this is put in
final form, however, he will walt until
hts conference tomorrow with the Gov
errors
Realizing from his overnight adviceS
that there is considerable distress ana
actual suffering in the drought area, due
principally to unemployment and scar
city OF food and water, the President
summoned John Barton Payne, chair
man of the American Red Cross, to de-
termine If the latterS organization
stood ready to act at moments notice.
He wanted to know from Chairman
Payne if the Red Cross had funds
available for immediate relief work.
He wanted to satisfy himself that tnere
would be no need for delay II the SIT
uation assumed such serious proper
lions as to demand instant action.
Chairman Payne assured the President
that the Red Cross always stood ready
for instant action and now Is ready
to respond. He told the President that
the Red Cross has $4,000, 900 available
for immediate relief work. He also said
that instructions have been given to
chairmen Of local chapters in the
drought areas to act upon their own
initiative where relief work was neces-e
sary and to use their own funds for
this.
Call for Aid Doubted,
According to Mr.. Payne's opinion,
there will be no need for call on the
part of President Hoover for financial
contributions from the public, at least
for the present. To carry the great num-
Der of destitute people throughout the
Winter months, he said, will probably
make it necessary to cali upon the pub
lie for assistance.
Secretary Hyde, who, with Alexander
Legge, chairman OF the Federal Farm
Board, and Paul Bestor, chairman OF
the Federal Farm Loan Board, who Will
sit with the President tomorrow at the
Governors Conference and at the cons
ference on Friday with the leaders OF
farm organizations, brought to the
White House today another batch OF
reports from field agents in the drought
area. These reports, he stated, con-
tinued to show that the shortage was
still confined to the feed and water for
live stock.
Meanwhile, an immediate so per cent
slash in railroad freight rates on hay,
feed, water and live stock in the drought
areas stood out today as the first large
scale action for relief OF parched agri-
cultural lands, the Government relief
plans marking time until tomQrroWs
conference of Governors. President Hoo
yer wants their suggestions and plans
before proceeding with any broad RELIEF
measures. An idea Of what line the
Governors recommendations may take
came In dispatches from capitals OF
some OF the affected States
Gov. Hammill of Iowa, leaving Des
Moines for Washington. said he favored
immediate aid TO the farmers in need,
together with arrangements, through
the Farm Board, FOR seed for next years
planting and financing by the board of
a transfer of grains from surplus sec
lions to the drought areas.
Tax Underwriting Planned.
In Kentucky the agricultural branch
OF the State Bankers Association for
mulated, with Gov. Sampson, a plan
based on underwriting the tax bills of
drought farmers through Fed
eral assistance.
Expectations OF relief continued con-
centrated on Government agencies, as
weather forecasts, although indicating
showers for parts OF the dry area, prom
Used no soaking rains.
The railroad rate cuts have been
worked out between the roads and the
Department of Agriculture, with safe
guarding arrangement by which farm
ers' applications for special rates VIII
be certified to railroad officials by
county agricultural agents.
This was done in hope OF preventing
speculative use OF the emergency
schedules
The low rate is to go into effect i'm.
mediately on roads operating to and
from drought areas north of the Ohio
and East of the Mississippi Rivers.
Within a day or two they are expected
to be extended to the remainder OF the
dry regions.
President Hoover's continuing close
attention and active leadership in the
relief movement was assured meanwhile
by his announcement yesterday that his
hoped-for Western vacation had been
sacrificed TO the exigencies OF the sltua-
ton.
Apart from the apparently growing
need OF many farmers FOR assistance TO
tide them over the Winter considerable
study was being given to the set-up OF
machinery for giving the sufferers
new start next Spring, with feed, sup
plies and the necessary financing 10
carry them through the growing season.
GOOD RAINS REPORTED.