Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18

after some wrangling it was put through
by agreement. Senator Reed made the
charge that Senator Smoot had tried
to gag" him, but this Senator Smoot
denied.
The Robinson amendment as adopted
by the Senate applies to food, medical
aid and other essentials for human re-
lief.
The text follows:
There is hereby appropriated, out OF
any money in the Treasury not other
wise appropriated, the sum of $25 900, :
600 Tin addition to such sums as may be
or may become available through volun-
tary contributions, to be Immediately
available and to be expended by the
American National Red Cross for the
purpose of supplying food. medicine
medical aid and other essentials to af-
ford human relief in the present ma
tional emergency to persons otherwise
unable to procure the same.
Any portion of this appropriation
unexpended on June 30 1882, shall be
returned to the Treasury of the United
States"
The debate on the Robinson amend
ment was opened by Senator Bingham
of Connecticut. He held it was neces-
sary to give serious consideration to the
proposed departure from the usual Sys-
tenn of affording relief through volun-
tary giving. Senator Bingham said
there was great suffering due to the
drought and unemployment, but he felt
it better to reach the situation through
voluntary contributions, spent by the
Red Cross, than by direct Government
appropriation.
Need Is Appreciated.
1T has always been considered bad
policy for the Federal Government to
relieve acute suffering which generally
has been relieved through voluntary
contributions through the Red Cross, .
said Senator Bingham.
He said it appeared the Red Cross
had been "a little slow" TO appreciate
the seriousness of the need, but he felt
that 1t was now appreciated.
Senator Bingham cited many edi-
torialS opposing Federal appropria tons
for relief and opposing doles.
Senator Copeland, Democrat, of New
York, interrupting, held the present
condition of things is very different
from localized distress and suffering.
Senator Copeland regarded it as "a
problem so great it is impossible to ham
die 1t by the ordinary processes of the
Red Cross"
Pointing out the Red Cross is just be-
ginning its campaign to raise $10,000,-
600 for relief. Senator Bingham asked
the Senate whether it would not be bet
ter TO wait and see whether the Amer
lean people, as they always have done,
will not give voluntarily"
Cites Needs in State.
Senator Barley, Democrat, of Ken
D~L@ L.
He portrayed conditions in Kentucky
as grave. and read a series of letters
from county judges and others describ-
ing these conditions. One letter from a
woman, described by Senator Barley
as one of the most public-spirited wom-
en- in Kentucky, said conditions in the
mountain regions of Kentucky were
worse than in Northern France at the
end of the war, and the people were
suffering worse for food
Schools in some parts of the State
were said to be closing because children
could not get food.
Senator Barley read a. letter from
the secretary of the Drought Relief
Committee set up for the State. It
emphasized the idea that there are an
enormous number of farmers unable to
meet their taxes, are delinquent and
gave list of the percentages and num-
bers by counties.
Senator Gillett, Republican, of Massa-
chuSetts. though admitting serious con-
dltions, urged that the system of raising
funds by private contributions be fol-
lowed, and held it dangerous prece-
dent to adopt the amendment.
general debate followed prior to
the adoption of the amendment and the
subsequent action of Senator Reed In
filing his motion to reconsider.