The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-08-09
Lowered Freights
Authorized by
l. C.. Commission
Continued from page one)

Ice obtained by ordinary shippers
during the same period.
The order said "a prolonged period
OF severe drought exists generally
throughout the United States, and
that immediate measures of relief
are necessary in many sections to
avoid loss of livestock and to prevent
general suffering
1t was added the schedules we're in
tended to serve in the public emer-
gency described.
Among the first railroads to ask
authority to reduce rates was the Illi-
nois central which telegraphed today
a petition for immediate authority to
make a rate of l71a cents per hundred
pounds on range cattle shipments
from Reeves, Tenn, to Baton Rouge,
La.
This meant a temporary cut of 50
per cent in the usual charges and
would facilitate a movement from
the west to the south where ample
cattle feed is available.
Call Governors Meet
President HoOver's organizing tai
ents were concentrated today on the
task OF welding together an effective
campaign for relieving the suffering
Of the drought country.
AS a first step the chief executive
has called on the governors of the
most seriously affected states to meet
with him here next Thursday to de-
terlnlne a method of bringing into
play oil available state and county
agencies for relief with the coopera-
ton of various federal branches, and
the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, at his Virginia fishing
camp Mr.. Hoover was studying care
fully the field reports compiled by the
department of agriculture. defining
the aScertained damage on maps of
the stricken area.
Million Families Affected
The president said preliminary re-
ports indicated approximately 1000
600 farm families were affected, to-
gether with livestock amounting to
IL per cent of the total annual popu-
lation of the country. In a lengthy
statement surveying the situation Mr..
Hoover said the situation was one to
cause a great deal of concern.
But it must be borne in mind" he
added, that the drought has mainly
affected animal feed. the bulk of the
direct human food production of the
country being abundantly on hand.
nevertheless, there will be a great
deal of privation among families in
the drought areas due to the loss of
income and the financial difficulties
imposed upon them to carry their ami
mails over the winter.
"The American people will proudly
take care Of the necessities of their
cOuntrymen in time of stress or diff
ficulty. Our first duty is to assule
u suffering countrymen that this
will be done. that their courage and
spirit shall be maintained, and our
second duty Is to assure all effective
organization for its consummation."
Drought Is Widespread
At the same time the chief executive
asked Acting Chairman Bicknell of
the Red Cross to have his organization
prepare to relieve any human suffer-
ing.
On the basis of the agriculture de-
partment survey of conditions as of
August /, the president said the most
acute shortage of animal feed crops
was in southeastern Missouri, north
ern Arkansas, southern Illinois, south
ern Indiana. Southern Ohio. Ken
lucky, northern West Virginia. and
northern Virginia, with smaller areas
in Montana, Kansas. Iowa and Me-
braska. However, a reduction of feed
crops in the other states also was
noted and the president said COVER
nors of one or two other states may
be asked later to attend.
I'm any event." he said, lin the
most acute areas we should now lay
the foundation for effective local and
state organization, the object of which
Is to prevent suffering amongst farm
families deprived Of support, and to
prevent the sacrifice OF livestock more
than is necessary"
ditions in the drought areas is ex-
pected to arrive from agents u the
department of agriculture in tir.,e for
study Thursday. The livestock af-
fected was placed at 2,25O,00O ..,rses
and mules, 5000, 900 cattle and 12,000,-
600 hogs and sheep.
At the conference with the twelve
governors will be officials and ex-
ports of the agriculture department,
the farm board and other federal
agencies.
Canning Crops Saved
The report Of Secretary Hyde to the
president emphasized there was M
serious problem of human food supply
at this time, in view of the ample
wheat crop, good potato prospect in
the commercial sections of the north
ern states and a fair rice crop. Bean
acreage, he pointed out, is mostly out
side the drought area while the winter
from southern states will
not be planted for some time.
Canning crops. tomatoes, peas and
beans were also excluded largely from
the drought damage. Small fruit
crops. the secretary said. did not In
a shortage but considerable in